There is no doubt that Paul is the author of the Letter to the Philippians. Paul writes this letter from prison (Philippians 1:7 …inasmuch as both in my bonds… , Philippians 1:12-14 … So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;…). Although Paul was imprisoned for short durations during his missionary journeys, this particular imprisonment is one that is of an extended duration, since the Philippians have heard of it, sending Epaphroditus to Paul, with Epaphroditus getting sick, nearly dying and now returning as the letter is being written. (Philippians 2:25-30 …Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants…).
Although some have argued that the letter was written from Caesarea during Paul’s two-year imprisonment there, the better evidence supports a writing from Rome. Paul says that his bonds are known (Philippians 1:13) “…in all the Palace…” (Greek – praetorio“, a word that implies a palace in Rome with Praetorian guards). Paul mentions further “Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.), a phrase virtually requiring a Roman origin. Paul is therefore writing from a Roman prison, but he does not yet seem to anticipate his imminent death like he does in his second letter to Timothy. The most likely date for Philippians therefore falls in the range 61-62 AD., with Paul having been in prison in Rome for a least some time, but still not too near to the end of his life.
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