Philippians 1:1-2

Outline of 1:1-2

Salutation; Philippians 1:1-2

1.

Senders; Philippians 1:1

2.

Recipients; Philippians 1:1

3.

Greeting; Philippians 1:2

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Philippians 1:1. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons; 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Translation and Paraphrase

Philippians 1:1. Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, (send this epistle) to all the saints (the holy brethren) in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, (along) with (your) bishops (overseers or elders) and deacons (ministers or servants). 2. (May) grace (be) to you (all) and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

Notes

1.

In New Testament times letters were started by giving the author's name first, and then the recipient's name.

Paul usually wrote an expression of thanks and prayer for his readers right after the salutation. This was followed by the body of the letter, which was closed with such concluding items as greetings from various people, and the benediction. Paul followed this pattern in Philippians.

2.

Paul does not refer to himself as an apostle as he begins Philippians. The omission of this title is in keeping with the affectionate character of the letter. The Philippians were believers. Paul did not need to approach them with the tone of apostolic authority.

3.

Timothy's name is added as co-sender of the epistle. Timothy was well-known to the Philippians. He came there with Paul on both visits to Philippi. See Acts 16:11-40; Acts 19:21-22; Philippians 2:22.

Timothy seems to have grown up in Lystra (in Asia Minor), under the instruction of a godly mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois). 2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 16:1. He joined Paul and Silas when they came through Lystra during Paul's second missionary trip. Timothy continued with Paul during his third missionary trip, and was with Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment, and afterwards. He was a loyal, constant, beloved, and effective helper to Paul.

4.

While Timothy's name is joined with Paul's in the greeting, the frequent references to my and me instead of our and us in the book show that Paul was indeed the primary, if not the sole author. Philippians 1:3-4.

5.

While Paul and Timothy sent the letter, in the truest sense Philippians is Christ's letter to the church.

6.

Paul calls himself and Timothy bondservants, that is, slaves. While Paul was not servile, he was utterly a bondservant of Christ, bought, completely dependent, and undividedly loyal. Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10.

7.

The expression servants of Christ Jesus points back to the Old Testament, where the prophets are often called servants of God. See Amos 3:7; Jeremiah 7:25; Ezra 9:11; Daniel 9:6; Joshua 1:2.

Also Jesus himself was called the servant of God. Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 52:13; Matthew 12:15-18.

Thus the use of the title servant by Paul associates him with such honored servants of God as the prophets and with Christ himself.

8.

The saints at Philippi were the holy ones, or the separated ones at Philippi. All Christians are saints. They are not called saints because they do not sin (See 1 John 1:8), but because they are set apart to God. The fundamental meaning of the word holy is that of setting apart, of being devoted to God. Compare Exodus 19:5-6.

In Christ Jesus we are set apart from the world, acquitted of all sins, and called to a life of good works.

9.

Such expressions as in Christ Jesus are exceedingly common in Paul's writings. In Christ Jesus occurs 48 times; in Christ 34 times, and in the Lord 50 times. The doctrine that we are in Christ was a favorite of Paul'S, and is accentuated in Philippians.

10.

The Philippian church was organized with bishops and deacons. When these officers were selected for the Philippian church is not known. The churches of New Testament times seem to have selected their own elders and deacons, after the qualifications had been laid down for such offices by the inspired apostles and prophets.

11.

The bishop (this word means overseer or superintendent) is the same officer as the one elsewhere called elder. Compare Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-7. Several elders were appointed for each individual church. Acts 14:23. The practice of having one bishop as overseer over a number of churches, or over some vast area, is a work of the devil.

12.

Deacons (this word means servant, attendant, or minister) were men selected to do various services required by the church, as needs arose. Study Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

13.

Paul began and ended every epistle of his (except Hebrews) with a wish for grace upon his readers.

Grace means favor, undeserved favor. It also refers to the good effects that God's favor brings to us. To gain a sense of our debt to God for His grace, and our total dependence on this favor, is to make a giant stride toward Christian maturity. See Hebrews 4:16.

14.

In Paul's view peace was the state of tranquility and blessedness which rose out of reconciliation with God. We can experience peace amidst persecutions and poverty. Those not reconciled to God have inward strife and discontent, even in wealth and ease.