Resources » Commentaries » Philippians » Chapter 1 » exegesis

View Philippians 1:1-2 Previous book: Show all commentary sections for Galatians Previous chapter Previous commentary: Introductory Matters (Philippians 1:1-11) Show all commentary sections for Philippians 1 Next commentary: Prayer as Thanksgiving (Philippians 1:3-8) Next chapter: Show all commentary sections for Philippians 2 Next book: Show all commentary sections for Colossians

The Greeting
In comparison with Paul’s other letters, several elements of this greeting stand out: its comparative brevity, the fixed nature of the greeting proper (v. 2), and the inclusion of overseers and deacons. Several items call for comment.The Writer(s) (1:1a) This is one of six letters where Timothy, who was well known in Philippi (see 2:20-22), is included in the greeting. Since the rest of the letter clearly originates from Paul alone (e.g., 1:12-26, 30), Timothy probably served as Paul’s secretary. In the other letters where it appears in the greeting, Timothy’s name is separated from Paul’s, since Paul begins by identifying himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus,” and Timothy is not an apostle. But Timothy is a fellow servant (or slave), so here their names are linked: Paul and Timothy, servants [slaves] of Christ Jesus. Paul’s reason for not identifying himself as an apostle in this case is most likely related to the matter of friendship (between “equals”) noted in the introduction, which has no place in it for reminders of status.

The word translated servants is actually the Greek word for “slaves” and probably carries a double connotation. Gentile hearers would have instinctively understood the word to refer to those owned by, and subservient to, the master of a household. Although the institution of slavery in antiquity was a far cry from the racial slavery that blighted American society–and the English society that made it possible by the slave trade–the slave in the Roman Empire was still not a free person but “belonged to” another. At the same time, however, in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the LXX), which would have been well known to the Philippians, this word was also used to translate the term “servant of Yahweh [the LORD].” “The slave of the Lord” thus carried a sense of distance from and dependence on God, while at the same time being a kind of honorific title for those in special service to God (e.g., Moses, 2 Kings 18:12; Joshua, Josh 24:29).

On this day...

• Christ is interceding on our behalf - 2011
• NECK OR NOTHING - 2009
• CAN YOU COME DOWN? - 2009
• THE OLD CROSS AND THE NEW - 2009
• one has begun to stop living - 2009
• Rejoice in knowing that you belong to God - 2009
• AND EVERY VIRTUE WE POSSESS - 2009
• God Gave Man a Harp - 2009
• Moses - Man of great faith - 2009
• The heavens declare the glory of God - 2009