March 11 2026

Wednesday March 11

The City of Philippi

Philippians 3:20

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Today, as we continue our introduction to the New Testament book of Epistle to the Philippians, I want us to look at the city where this letter was sent—the city of Philippi. Understanding the background of Philippi will help us appreciate the message that Paul writes to this church in this letter.

Philippi was located in the region of Macedonia, which today would be in northern Greece. The city was set on a fertile plain near the Aegean Sea and was positioned along one of the most important highways in the ancient world—the famous Roman road called the Via Egnatia. This highway connected the eastern part of the Roman Empire to the western part, stretching all the way from the Aegean Sea across to Rome itself. Because of its location on this major trade route, Philippi became a very important commercial and military city. Originally, the town was known by another name. But in 356 B.C., a man named Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, conquered the city for Greece and renamed it Philippi after himself.

Later, when the Romans conquered the region, Philippi became an even more significant city in Roman history. In 42 B.C., one of the most decisive battles in Roman history took place near the city. The armies of Mark Antony and Octavian defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius—the men who had been involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar. That battle helped bring an end to the Roman Republic and paved the way for the Roman Empire. After that battle, many Roman soldiers were settled in Philippi, and the city was given the status of a Roman colony.

Now this is very important to understand. A Roman colony was considered an extension of Rome itself. The citizens enjoyed many special privileges. They were Roman citizens, which meant they were exempt from certain taxes. They followed Roman laws and customs. Latin was the official language, Roman dress was common, and Roman pride ran deep among the people. In many ways, Philippi was a little piece of Rome located in Macedonia.

This background helps us better understand something Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20: “For our conversation is in heaven…”. The word conversation there actually means citizenship. Paul was reminding the believers in Philippi that although they were proud Roman citizens, their true citizenship was in heaven. They belonged to another kingdom. I’m proud to be an American. But my friend, my real citizenship is in heaven. Anyone who trusts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior has their true citizenship in heaven.

Another interesting thing about Philippi is that there does not appear to have been a synagogue in the city when Paul visited, as recorded in Acts of the Apostles chapter 16. If you remember, in most of the cities Paul visited he began his ministry by first going to the synagogue. As you read through the book of Acts, that pattern becomes very obvious. But he did not go to a synagogue in Philippi. Why? Possibly because there was not one there. A synagogue required at least ten Jewish men in the community, and apparently there were not enough Jews in Philippi to meet that requirement.

Instead, there was a small group of people who gathered outside the city by a river to pray. And it was there that the gospel would first take root in this Roman city. From this unlikely beginning, God would plant the first church in Europe. This reminds us of something very important about the work of God: God often begins great works in very small and unexpected ways. I could tell you many stories about how I have seen that happen in ministry over the past fifty years. A small prayer meeting…a few people gathered quietly…and yet God begins to do something powerful.

There by the riverside in Philippi sat a woman named Lydia. Meanwhile, back in Acts chapter 15—the previous chapter—people were arguing about circumcision and other issues. Then you come to chapter 16, and there is this woman sitting by the river, ready to hear the gospel. God’s plan was unfolding. That little gathering became the starting point for something that would eventually impact the entire continent of Europe. From that small beginning came the church that Paul would later write to with such love and affection in the book of Philippians.

Tomorrow we will look at the remarkable event that brought Paul to Philippi in the first place. And a vision that changed the direction of his ministry and, in many ways, changed the course of history. My friend, keep these things in mind as we continue studying through the book of Philippians together.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.