WAIT! Some+ Questions
- Mario Bolivar
- Jul 29
- 7 min read
I’ve received some questions! Here’s what I can say: this article covers a variety of topics. If you’re interested in a specific question, simply click on it, and you’ll be taken directly to that section of the blog.
Why is Paul writing a letter to the Christians in Philippi?
Paul wrote this letter to express his gratitude for the Philippians' ongoing support (Financially, Spiritually and Morally) particularly during his imprisonment.
He also wanted to be pastoral and encourage them to stay strong in their faith, to remain united, and to follow the example of Christ in their daily lives. Paul wanted to remind the community of Philippi that their Roman Citizenship was not all that, and that their citisenship in heaven was far more valuable. Paul’s letter provides teachings on humility, joy, and perseverance in the face of trials.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:3-5:
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5, NIV).
He also encourages them to adopt Christ’s mindset of humility and unity in Philippians 2:1-4:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV).
Then, Why Was Paul Arrested?
Paul was arrested by some of the same reasons that Jesus was arrested. You can read about this saga in the book of Acts. To begin, when Paul got to Jerusalem, the believers (The People) welcomed him, because he was returning with resources. At that time, Jerusalem was in an economic depression, and the church was being persecuted. Because of this, Paul had been collecting a gift of money for them and was finally able to give it. He also shared with them what the Lord had done on his journey, and the people responded with praise.
“When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly.” (Acts 21:17, NIV).
Jews in leader in Jerusalem heard rumors about Paul and weren’t happy about them. James advised Paul to bring sacrifices to the temple. The hope was that the Jews would see this and know he was still one of them. It was also to show that what they had heard wasn’t true. While he was in the temple, a whole crowd gathered and tried to kill him. The commander of the Roman troops made them stop and arrested Paul.
“The crowd was all stirred up, and they seized Paul and dragged him from the temple. And immediately the gates were shut.” (Acts 21:30, NIV).
Paul shared his testimony and defense there before the people who had tried to kill him. The crowd became enraged when Paul got to the part about the Lord sending him to the Gentiles. When Paul shared that he was a Roman citizen, the commander decided to investigate further.
“Then Paul said to the commander, ‘I am a Roman citizen, and I have been born a citizen.’” (Acts 22:28, NIV).
The next day, the commander had Paul stand before the whole Sanhedrin. The Jews were once again angered by what Paul said, and the commander had his troops take Paul back to the barracks. While there, the Lord told Paul to take courage and that he would also testify in Rome.
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” (Acts 23:11, NIV).
Forty Jews plotted to kill Paul along the journey. When the commander heard about it, he had Paul transferred to the governor with 470 guards for protection along the way to Caesarea.
“The commander called two of his centurions and ordered them, ‘Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.’” (Acts 23:23, NIV).
How old was Paul when writing the letter to the Philippians?
Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin and born in Tarsus. As was the custom for Jews, his parents had him circumcised on the 8th day. He and Jesus were likely born within the same decade. Paul likely wrote the letter around A.D. 60-62, (I said, A.D. 61 previously but that might be to narrow) during his first imprisonment in Rome. He was in his late 50s or early 60s at the time. This aligns with the traditional view that Paul wrote his prison epistles, including Philippians, from Rome. See the chart that I am including here...
His imprisonment is referenced in Acts 28:16:
“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:16, NIV).
Considering the hardships he endured and the times in which he lived, Paul would have been considered an old man at his death. So I would state, that his age felt like he was in his late 80s. If you want to read more about this there is a book called "Experiencing Old Age in Ancient Rome" by Karen Cokayne, here is an article that touches some of the most importnat elements of the book. https://www.bartehrman.com/how-long-did-jesus-live/
Did Paul have a wife and kids?
The question of whether Paul was ever married has been the subject of much discussion, and speculation. The Bible does not provide clear evidence about Paul's marital status before his conversion, however there is some things to affirm during his ministry.
Paul’s possible marital status before his conversion
Some scholars suggest that Paul could have been married before his conversion. Given his background as a Pharisee and his likely position as a respected member of the Jewish community, it’s possible that Paul was married at one point. However, the Bible does not explicitly mention a wife, and there is no record of his marriage after his conversion.
Paul’s marital status during his ministry
From his letters, specifically 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, it’s clear that Paul was unmarried during his ministry to the Corinthians:
“I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.” (1 Corinthians 7:7-8, NIV).
This suggests that by the time he was preaching and writing his epistles, Paul was single and chose to remain unmarried to focus entirely on his ministry.
Possibilities before his conversion
The silence on Paul’s marital status before his conversion leaves open the possibility that Paul might have been married at one point. Some scholars believe he could have had a wife who either left him after his conversion or passed away. Others suggest that he may have never married, as celibacy was not uncommon for religious figures in Judaism, particularly among the Pharisees, some of whom remained unmarried to focus on their religious duties.
Thus, while we cannot say with certainty whether Paul was married before his conversion, we can confidently state that he was unmarried during his apostolic journeys and ministry.
If Philippians is a personal letter from Paul to a particular community. Why is it part of the Bible?
While It is true that Philippians is a personal letter from Paul to the church in Philippi, it is part of the Bible because its message, as well as its explanation of key Christian doctrines, which resonated with early Christians and continues to inspire believers today, but that might be an oversimplification, so let me tell you more.
Here are some big reasons why this is included in the New Testament.
Theological Significance: Philippians explores essential themes like the nature of Christ, humility, and the power of the gospel, making it a valuable resource for understanding Christian doctrine.
Guidance for Christian Living: Paul offers practical advice on living joyfully, resolving conflict, and focusing on others—principles that guide us as followers of Christ.
Historical Context: Written during Paul’s imprisonment, the letter offers insight into his perseverance and faith amid suffering, adding depth to its message.
Early Church Practice: Early Christians recognized the value of Paul’s letters and included them in the New Testament canon. The process of determining which books belonged in the Bible wasn’t immediate—it unfolded over time. Philippians was recognized as inspired by the Holy Spirit due to its apostolic authorship and the truths it shared. *** More to say about this, read below.
Universal Applicability: Although it was addressed to a specific church, the themes in Philippians are timeless and applicable to all Christians.
How was Philippians added to the Bible?
Philippians, along with other books in the New Testament, was recognized by early Christian communities because it met several criteria: apostolic authorship (written by Paul), widespread use in the churches, and doctrinal consistency with the teachings of Jesus.
By the end of the 4th century, the New Testament canon was effectively settled, with books like Philippians affirmed through councils. For example, in A.D. 367, Athanasius listed the 27 books of the New Testament in his Easter letter, including Philippians. The Councils of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD) also confirmed this list. These councils were instrumental in affirming the books that would be part of the New Testament, including Philippians.
In addition. Paul’s letters, including Philippians, are considered divinely inspired and are part of the Bible because they convey God's will and teachings. Paul himself claimed that his words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Paul writes:
“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.” (1 Corinthians 2:13, NIV).
Additionally, 2 Peter 3:15-16 affirms that Paul's writings were considered part of the Scriptures by early Christians:
“He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16, NIV).
This passage confirms that early Christians recognized Paul’s letters as divinely inspired, alongside the Old Testament Scriptures.
To Whom is the letter of Philippians actually written to?
The letter to the Philippians is addressed to the entire Christian community in Philippi, but it also mentions church leaders, including bishops (overseers) and deacons (Philippians 1:1). This suggests that while the letter is for all believers, it also contains instructions and encouragement for those in positions of leadership.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:1:
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons...” (Philippians 1:1, NIV).
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