11. Philippians

This letter was written in 61 AD to the first church that Paul established on European soil, in the Roman province of Macedonia. It was written while the apostle was in prison and at a time when he was troubled by a lot of hardship in his life. Yet this letter is marked by its emphasis on joy in the Christian faith and life. The word “joy” is mentioned sixteen times.

“May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!” (4:4) reached the peak in the letter as Paul pleads with the believers to have real joy in union with Christ which transcends the happiness of world.

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