PHILIPPIANS, LETTER OF PAUL TO THE

New Testament letter written by Paul the Apostle, while he was in prison (probably at Rome about AD 62), and addressed to the Christian congregation he had established in Macedonia. Apprehensive that his execution was close at hand, yet hoping somehow to visit the Philippians again, Paul explains that he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Christ. Though he welcomes death for Jesus' sake, he is equally concerned to continue his apostolate. Paul exhorts his readers to remain steadfast in their faith and to imitate the humility of Christ, who "emptied himself" and "became obedient unto death, even death on a cross" (2:7-8). Exegetes generally believe that this much-quoted passage was taken from an early Christian hymn. Paul further urges the Philippians to work out their "own salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12), words often cited by theologians in discussing the role of free will in gaining personal salvation.