This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Philippi was a Roman military outpost that was primarily inhabited by Gentiles. The name of the city came from King Philip of Macedonia in the 4th century B.C. Eleven years before this letter was composed, Paul had come to the city by divine call (see Acts 16:9). There he met a group of women who were meeting at the Krenides River. This seems to indicate that there was no synagogue (Jewish place of assembly). Lydia, a very prominent, prosperous woman who sold purple cloth (a very expensive textile of the time) was converted to Christ Jesus. Paul also led her household to Jesus and baptized them (see Acts 16:14&15). Paul was a guest in her home for his time there and, I'm confident that, he further discipled them all.
Paul was now on trial in Rome awaiting his verdict and sentence. He wanted to help the church in Philippi stay unified, humble, and focused on Christ. His heart was to see them stay the course. He was nearing the end of his way and he was concerned about the church contending for the faith. Once again, he commends God's grace to them. Today, let us, as the church of Jesus Christ, stay unified, humble, and focused as we contend for the gospel's sake in our time. God's grace and peace to us all. In Jesus name!!!