Philippi was the first city in Europe that Paul evangelized. It was a “Roman Colony,” that is, retired soldiers from the Legions were given property there (and at various places throughout the empire) to ensure a friendly environment as the army moved throughout the Roman provinces. Paul seems to have great affection for the people of Phillipi. Perhaps since they were not a natural community but one brought together from other places it was there that his ideal of a community of “slave and free, Jew and Gentile, men and women” was shaped. Paul wrote the letter from prison yet it is very upbeat — the characteristic word in the epistle is “joy.” I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. As we go through so many trials and difficulties personally and in the country let us, like Paul, find the joy in the midst of it all that comes from the gospel.
