Philippi was a Roman colony located in Macedonia, in northern Greece. It is most prominently mentioned in the New Testament as the site of the first Christian church established in Europe. The city was named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.
The apostle Paul first came to Philippi during his second missionary journey, guided there by a vision of a man of Macedonia pleading for help (Acts 16:9–10). Upon arriving, Paul and his companions, including Silas, Timothy, and Luke, found a group of women praying by the river. One of them, Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, believed Paul’s message and was baptized along with her household (Acts 16:13–15). She invited Paul and his companions to stay in her home.
Philippi became the location of notable events. Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting a spirit of divination out of a slave girl, which angered her masters (Acts 16:16–24). While in prison, they prayed and sang hymns, and a great earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, fearing the escape of the prisoners, was about to kill himself, but Paul stopped him. The jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” and Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30–31). The jailer and his family were baptized that night.
Paul maintained a close relationship with the believers in Philippi. His letter to the Philippians reflects deep affection and gratitude. He commended their generosity, encouraged unity and humility, and exalted Christ’s example of obedience and sacrifice (Philippians 2:5–11). He urged them to rejoice in the Lord always and to stand fast in the faith.
Philippi represents a place of spiritual breakthrough, suffering for the Gospel, and deep Christian fellowship. The events there show the power of God to save, the importance of faithful witness, and the joy that comes through Christ, even in trials.
