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Philippi

Philippi was a city in Macedonia where Paul founded a church and experienced persecution, imprisonment, and a miraculous deliverance.

The name Philippi means “in the plural”

PlaceNew Testament5 books15 verses

Summary

A location first mentioned at Acts 16:12; referred to as Philippi (Φίλιπποι) or Philippian (Φιλιππήσιος).

Profile

Philippi was a small village in Thrace until around 357 BC. Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great's father, conquered and rebuilt it. He named the village after himself, fortified it as a military base, and used the nearby gold mines. Philippi became famous worldwide in 42 BC. It was where Octavian and Mark Antony's imperial armies defeated Brutus and Cassius, Julius Caesar's assassins. This victory paved the way for the Roman Empire under Octavian Augustus.

Many veterans from the war of 42 BC and other battles settled in Philippi. When Paul visited the city, it still showed its Roman military heritage. Located on the Egnatian Way, it was an important stop on the major military road connecting the Adriatic Sea with the Aegean Sea. It had strong civic pride as a Roman colony, enjoying many privileges like tax exemption, and promoted Latin as its official language. Its government was based on the municipal constitution of Rome, and the people considered themselves Romans (see Acts 16:21).

Paul visited the city on his second missionary journey, and the book of Acts describes this visit in detail (Acts 16:12–40). The story often highlights the city's Roman background. Paul uses his Roman citizenship to defend himself successfully (Acts 16:37–39). The city leaders hold the Latin title praetor, translated as stratēgos in Greek (Acts 16:20–22, 38). There seems to have been a small Jewish community there.

The church started with Jewish women who believed and met outside the city because there was no synagogue. Later, they gathered in the home of a well-known woman convert named Lydia (Acts 16:14–15, 40). Luke likely stayed in Philippi when Paul left for Thessalonica (Acts 16:12, 40) and rejoined Paul at Philippi during Paul's third missionary journey several years later (Acts 20:6). Paul wrote a friendly letter to the church at Philippi during one of his imprisonments.

Passages for Further Study

Acts 16:12–40; 20:6; Philippians 1:1; 2:19–30; 4:2–3, 10–22; 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Location

Certainty
Widely agreed (100% of scholarship)
Coordinates
41.012° N, 24.285° E
Philippi
See it on the map of biblical places

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Philippi

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 6 verses that refer to Philippi without naming it.

  1. Acts 16:12
    From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
  2. Acts 20:6
    And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.
  3. 1 Corinthians 16:24
    My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
  4. 2 Corinthians 13:13
    All the saints send you greetings.
  5. 2 Corinthians 13:14
    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
  6. Philippians 1:1
    Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
  7. Philippians 4:15
    And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
  8. Philippians 4:16Referred to, not named
    For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
  9. Philippians 4:17Referred to, not named
    Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
  10. Philippians 4:18Referred to, not named
    I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
  11. Philippians 4:19Referred to, not named
    And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
  12. Philippians 4:21Referred to, not named
    Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings.
  13. Philippians 4:22Referred to, not named
    All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
  14. Philippians 4:23
    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
  15. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
    As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.