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Philippi

A place in the Bible

A Roman colony, the leading city of that part of Macedonia, in northern Greece.

What happened here

  1. The call: one night Paul saw a man from Macedonia who begged him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” That is why they went to Philippi.
  2. Lydia: in Philippi, a woman from Thyatira named Lydia listened to Paul. She was baptized with her household, and she welcomed them into her home.
  3. The prison: Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. At midnight they were praying and singing to God, and an earthquake opened the doors.
  4. A letter: later, Paul wrote a letter to the Christians of Philippi: the Letter to the Philippians.

Today

Ruins of the ancient city remain, in northern Greece.

Where it appears in the Bible

Acts 16:9-12; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 16:23-26; Philippians 1:1

What the Bible says

Acts 16:9-12

9And a vision was shewed to Paul in the night, which was a man of Macedonia standing and beseeching him, and saying: Pass over into Macedonia, and help us. 10And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis; 12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days conferring together.

Acts 16:14-15

14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 16:23-26

23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the gaoler to keep them diligently. 24Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised God. And they that were in prison, heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bands of all were loosed.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Philippi (1)”; Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), “Philippi”

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