Attempts to date Philippians generally begin with Paul's stated imprisonment (1:7, 13-14, 17). Though Paul was jailed a number of times in different places (2 Cor 11:23), this likely refers to his first imprisonment in Rome between A.D. 60 and 62, where he lived with a Roman soldier under house arrest (Acts 28:16, 30). References to the "praetorian guard" (Phil 1:13) and "Caesar's household" (4:22) lend credence to Rome as the setting of the letter, and Paul's expectation of an imminent trial (1:26; 2:24) points to A.D. 62 as a likely date for its composition. Alternative views maintain that Paul was writing from Ephesus, Corinth, or Caesarea and propose earlier dates for the letter in the middle or late 50s.

Destination Philippi was the leading city of eastern Macedonia (northern Greece) in the first century and held a strategic position on the Egnatian Way, the major travel route connecting Italy and the West with Asia Minor and the East. The city was named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and was established by Caesar Augustus as a Roman military colony in the first century B.C. Its inhabitants were mainly retired army veterans who enjoyed the status of Roman citizenship and other civic privileges. Unlike many prestigious cities of the Roman world at this time, Philippi had only a small Jewish population. Paul and his companions founded the Church here on his second missionary journey about A.D. 50 (Acts 16:11-40) and made one or more return visits on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:1-6). It is difficult to determine how long Paul stayed in Philippi on these occasions, but it was long enough to develop a close relationship with the young community. The Philippian Church was the first to be established by Paul on the mainland of Europe.

Purpose Philippians does not address any doctrinal or disciplinary crisis; rather, it is a letter of thanks and encouragement to a congregation of dear friends. The gratitude that Paul expresses throughout the letter is a response to their generosity. The Philippians supported the imprisoned apostle through their constant prayers (1:19), as well as by sending him financial assistance by the hand of Epaphroditus (4:18). The Philippians had come to Paul's assistance several times in this way, acquiring for themselves a reputation as one of his most gracious congregations (4:15-16). Paul sent this letter back to them by the same messenger, Epaphroditus (2:25-30), to thank them for their gift, to update them on personal matters, and to assure them of God's rich blessings in return (2:2530; 4:19). The only real concerns that Paul addresses in the letter have to do with resolving a personal conflict between two Philippian women (4:2-3) and with putting the congregation on guard against Judaizing missionaries, who, should they make their way to Philippi, would likely pressure them to receive circumcision (3:2-3). Lastly, Paul wrote to prepare the Philippians for the arrival of Timothy (2:19-23) and to express his own desire to see them if possible (2:24).