He was a member of the house of Wittelsbach, and the son of Elector Palatine Philip the Upright and Margaret of Bavaria.

Philip defended the diocese of Freising successfully in the turmoil of the German Peasants' War.

He initiated many construction projects and is buried in the Freising Cathedral.

As he enjoyed the good will of the House of Wettin, he took a moderate attitude towards Martin Luther.

After the death of Frederick III and the emerging resistance of the Naumburg and Zeitz citizenship, Philip moved to the Catholic camp and paid no more visits to Naumburg.