theology: philippians and philemon

In what Roman province was the city of Philippi located?

Macedonia, Greece

On what famous Roman road was Philippi located?

Adriatic coast to Byzantium

After whom was Philippi named?

After Philip II of Macedonia, Alexander the Great's father

What famous event took place 'on the plains near Philippi' in October of 42 BC?

Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius, Caesar's killers

Who turned Philippi into a Roman colony?

Octavian

When the city became a colony, who was settled there?

The veterans of the Roman army

Although scholars disagree about where Paul was when he wrote this letter, it is clear that he wrote it while he was in what?

Prison

After what appears to be a closing to the letter at the end of Chapter 2, what does Paul warn against?

False teachers who have been teaching that they should practice Mosaic Law to be saved

According to the traditional view, where was Paul when he wrote this letter, and when did he write it?

He was in Rome during 59 and 63 AD

What location and date do most recent scholars favor for the writing of the letter?

He was in Ephesus in mid 50 AD

How many letters do some scholars argue the letter as we have it is actually a composite of?

At least 3

Because of its main themes, this letter has been termed 'the letter of…' what?

Letter of joy

Who are the two senders of this letter?

Paul and Timothy

What two positions of early church leadership does Paul mention in the Greeting of this letter?

The overseers and ministers

What was Paul's 'prayer' for the Philippians according to the Thanksgiving?

Praying with joy

To what situation does Paul refer when he says his 'situation has turned out rather to advance the gospel'?

He's in prison

What have the 'majority of brothers' done as a result of Paul's situation?

They proclaim the Word even more

What are the two motivations of those who preach Christ since Paul found himself in his situation?

Some pray out of envy and jealousy, and some pray out of goodwill.

Why does Paul think that the motivation behind their preaching ultimately does not matter?

They're still preaching the Word of God regardless.

Fill in the blanks: 'For me, life is ____, and death is ____.' (1:21)

Christ, gain

What makes Paul's choice between life and death so difficult?

If he dies, he can be with Jesus forever, but if he lives, he gets to create more Christian communities.

What is unusual about Paul's discussion of the choice between life and death?

He believes himself to be a part of the living believers and that if he dies, he will ascend to Heaven with the other believers.

What does Paul tell the Philippians their unity and refusal to be intimidated by their opponents proves?

Their faith in the Gospel.

What has been granted to the Philippians besides believing in Christ?

Also to suffer with Him.

What does Paul tell the Philippians to do to 'complete my joy'?

To continue to love their neighbours, be selfless, and look out for everybody.

According to Philippians 2:6, Christ was 'in the form of' whom?

God

What did Christ not regard as 'something to be grasped'?

Equality

According to the footnote for Philippians 2:6, this verse contrasts Jesus with which significant figure in Genesis?

An allusion to Adam. Unlike Adam, Jesus didn't reach out to become equal to God

According to Philippians 2:7, Christ 'emptied himself, taking the form' of what?

Of a slave

Which Old Testament prophet predicted a messiah figure that would come in the form of a servant or slave?

Isaiah

What does Paul mean when he refers to himself as a 'libation' in Philippians 2:17?

A libation is an ancient ritual where they pour liquid onto the ground as a sacrifice, hinting that Paul might be facing death.

Who is the first person that Paul hopes to send to the Philippians to find out how they are doing?

Timothy

Who is the second person Paul plans to send to the Philippians?

Paul himself

Why did Paul think it necessary to send himself as the second person?

So he can see how things are doing himself.

Who does Paul tell the Philippians to beware of?

The Judaizers

What do the false teachers apparently teach?

They teach about circumcision.

Why does Paul think he has more reason to be confident 'in the flesh' than anyone else?

Because they worship Jesus Christ and put their trust in Him.

What does Paul consider all the things he gained 'before Christ'?

He considers them to be so much rubbish in front of God.

What does Paul say about his own righteousness?

He has no righteousness of his own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ.

What does Paul hope to attain by sharing in Christ's sufferings?

Perfect maturity.

What will happen to those who have awaited Jesus when He returns?

Their lowly body will be changed to conform to a glorified body.

Who are the two women Paul urges to settle their differences?

Euodia and Syntyche

Who did Eusebius think the 'true yokemate' was?

Clement, the bishop of Rome

In which city did the Philippians provide for Paul's needs more than once?

Thessalonica

Whose household does Paul mention in his greetings?

Caesar's household

Where was Paul when he wrote the letter to Philemon?

In prison

Where is Philemon believed to have been written from?

In Rome

When is Philemon believed to have been written?

61 and 63 AD

What was the name of the slave mentioned in the letter?

Onesimus

Where was Onesimus from?

Colossae

What did Onesimus do?

Wronged his master and ran away

Who are the three people to whom this letter is specifically addressed?

Paul, Timothy, and Philemon

What does Paul urge Philemon out of?

Love

What is the name of Philemon's slave mentioned in V.10-11?

Onesimus

What does the name Onesimus mean?

Useful

How did Paul and Onesimus come to meet each other?

They met in jail

What does Paul urge Philemon to take his slave back as?

A brother in Christ

What should Philemon do if the slave has done him any injustice, according to v.18?

Charge it in Paul's name

What does Paul say he will do in v.19?

He will pay

What does Paul tell Philemon he owes him in v.20?

Their very self

Which two gospel authors are believed to be on the list of greetings at the end of the letter?

Mark and Luke

which of paul’s letters is the shortest?

philemon

how many slaves were there compared to freemen? why was slavery so important to roman society?

there were more slaves than freemen; slavery was structurally ingrained into roman society, so getting rid of slavery as a small christian group was unrealisitic

why didn’t paul try to dismantle slavery?

slavery was too big of an issue for a small christian group to dismantle and paul believed that when jesus returned, all evil and injustice will end, like slavery

why did paul only accept money from the philippians?

they were the only people who gave him money just because they wanted to support paul, and not coerce him into teaching what they want to hear

what is the glorified body?

the perfect, physical, and stagnant body Christian will transform to when they ascend to Heaven

why does paul mention there are christians in caesar’s household?

despite christianity being a fairly new religion, it was spreading from jerusalem all the way to rome. it was very widespread despite being new and it was growing