| PHILIPPIANS |
| Explanatory Footnotes |
| 2:12-13 Working with God Philippians, a practical book, presents theology simply and without elaboration. These verses describe both the human and divine element in our faith: we "work out" our salvation, and yet God "works in us" to accomplish it. Philippians 3:16 expresses a similar paradox: Paul urges that we "live up to what we have already attained." 2:25 A Helper for Paul The paragraph on Epaphroditus reveals the warm feelings between Paul and the church at Philippi. If Paul was imprisoned at Rome, as many scholars believe, then Epaphroditus traveled more than 700 miles to be with him. He fell sick while visiting Paul and was now returning to Philippi, probably carring this letter to hand-deliver. 4:2 Women in the Church Although these two women were stirring up trouble in Philippi, women played a positive role in that church. In fact, Paul's first convert in Europe was Lydia, a businesswoman. Paul met with her and a group of women by a river, and later stayed in her house (see Acts 16). |