Paul being warned by the holie Ghost to go to Macedonia, planted first a Church at Philippi a city of the same country: but because his charge was to preach the Gospel universally to all the Gentiles, he travelled from place to place, till at the length he was taken prisoner at Rome, whereof the Philippians, being advertised, sent their minister Epaphroditus with relief unto him: who declaring him the state of the Church, caused him to write this Epistle, wherein he commendeth them that they stood manfully against the false apostles, putting them in mind of his good will toward them, and exhorteth them that his imprisonment make them not to shrink: for the Gospel thereby was confirmed and not diminished: especially he desireth them to flee ambition, and to embrace modesty, promising to send Timotheus unto them, who should instruct them in matters more amply: yea, and that he him self would also come unto them, adding likewise the cause of their minister’s so long abode. And because there were not greater enemies to the cross then the false apostles, he confuteth their false doctrine, by proving only Christ to be the end of all true religion, with whom we have all thing, and without whom we have nothing, so that his death is our life, and his resurrection our justification. After this follow certain admonitions both particular and general, with testification of his affection toward them, and thankful accepting of their benevolence.