Philippian Vs. Gordon Fee: Setting Of Philippians
Setting of Philippians
Positioned at the eastern fertile plain of Datos in central Macedonia, Philippi was a flourishing city. Gordon Fee notes although originally founded by Greek colonists from the island of Thasos (ca. 360 B.C.), in 356 BCE Philippi was conquered by its namesake, the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon. Philip seized the city due to its strategic location. Namely, it was blessed with provisions, protection, and prosperity. “It sat as sentinel to the large agricultural plain of Datos; it was well-protected by its acropolis; and, most importantly to Philip, it was nearby to Mount Pangaion on the northern side of the plain, which at that period was rich in mineral deposits, including gold.”
Albeit, Philippi …show more content…
Over the years, being nurtured by its mother city, Rome, it matured into the “urban political center” of the eastern end of the plain of Datos. Likewise, Philippi remained populated by both Roman and Greek. With respect to the church at Philippi, Fee notes that very little is known about the “socio-economic makeup of the congregation.” Within Paul’s letter to the church of Philippians we see three individuals specifically mentioned by name: Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement (Phil. 4:2-3). And, in Acts we see three other individuals identified, one by name: Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailor, including his family (Acts 16:14, 16, 27, 33). Likewise, little is know about these individuals. According to Acts 16:14-15, Lydia, from Thyatira, was a merchant of fine imports (“purple goods”). Fee notes, “That she had a household large enough to include Paul and his companions suggests she owned a villa; at least some of the women, who were gathered with her at the river for worship, perhaps including Euodia and Syntyche, were very likely members of her household.” Additionally, the jailer, who also had a household, would have most likely belonged to the artisan class, and the girl from whom Paul had cast the evil spirits was a slave. This could possibly suggest that the socio-economic makeup of the church in Philippi was very similar
Positioned at the eastern fertile plain of Datos in central Macedonia, Philippi was a flourishing city. Gordon Fee notes although originally founded by Greek colonists from the island of Thasos (ca. 360 B.C.), in 356 BCE Philippi was conquered by its namesake, the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon. Philip seized the city due to its strategic location. Namely, it was blessed with provisions, protection, and prosperity. “It sat as sentinel to the large agricultural plain of Datos; it was well-protected by its acropolis; and, most importantly to Philip, it was nearby to Mount Pangaion on the northern side of the plain, which at that period was rich in mineral deposits, including gold.”
Albeit, Philippi …show more content…
Over the years, being nurtured by its mother city, Rome, it matured into the “urban political center” of the eastern end of the plain of Datos. Likewise, Philippi remained populated by both Roman and Greek. With respect to the church at Philippi, Fee notes that very little is known about the “socio-economic makeup of the congregation.” Within Paul’s letter to the church of Philippians we see three individuals specifically mentioned by name: Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement (Phil. 4:2-3). And, in Acts we see three other individuals identified, one by name: Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailor, including his family (Acts 16:14, 16, 27, 33). Likewise, little is know about these individuals. According to Acts 16:14-15, Lydia, from Thyatira, was a merchant of fine imports (“purple goods”). Fee notes, “That she had a household large enough to include Paul and his companions suggests she owned a villa; at least some of the women, who were gathered with her at the river for worship, perhaps including Euodia and Syntyche, were very likely members of her household.” Additionally, the jailer, who also had a household, would have most likely belonged to the artisan class, and the girl from whom Paul had cast the evil spirits was a slave. This could possibly suggest that the socio-economic makeup of the church in Philippi was very similar