Philippians 4:20

Now unto God and our Father... — The doxology of this verse seems suggested by the very use of “glory” in the previous verse. “Glory” may be derivatively the privilege of man; but “the glory” (for the original has the article here) — the essential and incommunicable glory — must be ascribed to God alone. Whether we supply here the word “is” or “be” matters not. His it is; to Him let it be ascribed. Such doxologies are common with St. Paul (see Romans 16:27; Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:18); always with the addition of “for ever and ever,” or literally, for the ages of the ages, throughout every age till time shall be no more; always in close connection with some declaration, not so much of the majesty, as of the wisdom, and still more the goodness, of the Father.

Philippians 4:21 contain the salutation and blessing. The salutation is very brief, as compared, for example, with the corresponding passage in the Colossian Epistle (Philippians 4:10), naming none, either of those saluted or those joining with St. Paul in the salutation. The omission in the latter case may perhaps be accounted for by the words above (Philippians 2:20), in which, with the single exception of Timotheus, St. Paul declares dissatisfaction with those near him, because “all seek their own, and not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.