Paul's letter to the Philippians is marked by several outstanding features. It was written while he was a prisoner of the Roman government and yet he saw that through his sufferings the gospel of Christ was being advanced. It was written to a church which had given him material help and yet he remained faithful to his calling by expressing his concern that they should grow in unity and humility. It is not a systematic exposition of the gospel and yet one of the profoundest passages on the person and work of Christ lies at its heart. In a variety of ways it presents the richness of the gospel and the joy of the Christian life. Written by a pastor to his people, it expresses the kind of life and fellowship which should be the goal of every individual Christian and every church.