A major part of the population was composed of proud former soldiers who had served in the Roman military. Octavian (later the emperor Augustus) won a decisive victory for Rome years earlier and made Philippi an official Roman colony, granting its residents Roman citizenship (Gordon Fee, NICNT: Philippians, p. The little colony of Philippi was proud-almost boastful-of their citizenship as a Roman colony. Some Christians can find themselves focusing more on their earthly citizenship than their heavenly citizenship. In fact, it would have challenged something they held very dear: their Roman citizenship. This was not some random thing for Paul to write but instead would have had deep meaning for the Philippians. Paul teaches the small church in Philippi that they are citizens of heaven (3:20). Besides the beautiful proclamations of Christ and his glory, the main idea that struck me was the reality of a Christian’s citizenship.
I didn’t know it then, but this little letter written nearly 2,000 years ago would be branded into my heart forever. The first book of the Bible I had the privilege of preaching through was the joyful letter to the Philippians.
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