Place and Time of Writing

From what has been said about the occasion on which the Epistle was written, it is evident that it was written from Rome. There are direct indications of this within the Epistle itself. The fact that the Apostle speaks generally of his bonds (Phil. 1:7) could still be referred to Caesarea; but when he says that his bonds have become known throughout the whole praetorium, with the indication of how many of the brethren, emboldened by these bonds, began to proclaim the word of God with greater boldness (Phil. 2:13–14), this cannot in any way be referred to Caesarea—and since the Apostle, apart from Caesarea, was in bonds only in Rome, it must be referred to Rome.

If one adds to this that the Apostle in the Epistle conveys greetings from members of Caesar’s household, there can be no further doubt that it was written from Rome. Specifically, from his first imprisonment there; for the Epistle places St Timothy at the Apostle’s side (Phil. 1:1; 2:19), who was not present during the Apostle’s second imprisonment in Rome (St Chrysostom).

From the fact that St Paul promises the Philippians to send St Timothy to them at once as soon as he learns what will happen to himself (Phil. 2:23), and then hopes to come to them himself soon afterward (Phil. 2:24), one cannot but conclude that the Apostle’s first two-year imprisonment in Rome was already drawing to a close. On this basis, the time of writing the Epistle must be placed in the year 63 or 64.