Philippians 1:1-11

 
Verse 1 is a standard greeting that identifies who is sending the letter and who is being addressed in the letter. Paul refers to himself and Timothy as "slaves of Christ Jesus." The letter is addressed to "all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons." The overseers would have been the pastors of the church. The saints would have been all believers. Christianity was illegal at the time the book of Philippians was written, so churches met in homes. This would have meant that the groups would be smaller than churches today, simply because there wasn't room for as many people in a private residence as in a public place of worship.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary points out that Paul's use of the word "saints" is not emphasizing personal holiness, although as a person grows in his or her relationship with Christ, their life should reflect an increasing holiness in their day-to-day walk with the Lord. The term “saint” is a description of the justification that Christ has bestowed on every believer by his death and resurrection.

The greeting of "grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" is a common first century greeting. It was customary to have a greeting like these at the beginning of a letter.

In verse 3, Paul thanks God for the Philippian church. The Expositor's Bible Commentary observes that Paul began all of his epistles this way, with the exception of Galatians. It also observes that this shows a good relationship with the Philippian church. Paul’s memories of the people were positive. This is further shown in the second half of verse 4 and verse 5, as he states that praying for them brings him joy. They had evidently been supporting and encouraging Paul in his work, as he describes their "partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." This could have been in the form of financial support, housing, food, or all of these things. The exact type of support they gave is not mentioned.

Paul carries on the idea that they should grow in Christ-likeness in verse 6, stating that God would complete in them the work that He had started. This means that they are still a work in process, as we all are. But it also shows that God won't give up on them and that he has even bigger and better plans for them (see also Jeremiah 29:11). This will continue "until the day of Christ Jesus." The term "day of Christ Jesus" means Jesus' Second Coming. Paul did believe in the early part of his ministry that Jesus would return in his lifetime, although it became clear later that His return would not happen so quickly.

Paul goes on to say in verse 7 that it is right that he should feel this way about the Philippian church. They are clearly on his mind, as he states, "since I have you in my heart." The belief was at that time that thoughts originated in the heart, rather than the brain. Paul's opinion of the people isn't dependent on his circumstances, either. When he says, "whether I am in chains," he isn't using this as a figure of speech. He means literally being in jail and chained to a wall. He often had a Roman soldier on each side of him guarding him, as well. He sees the fruits that are being borne from his work as being worth the hardships that he encounters.

There were certainly many other times that he would be publicly preaching and proclaiming the gospel. Each time he came to a city, he invariably started his campaign in the city's Jewish synagogue. When the believers pray for Paul and his fellow workers or provide financial or material support, they also share in the work that Paul is doing. Without such support, his ministry would not have been possible, just as missionaries today cannot carry out their ministries without our support.

Paul states in verse 8 that God Himself can testify how much Paul cares about the Philippians and seeks their best interest. He describes having the "affection of Christ Jesus" for them. This shows that he wants them to grow and persevere in their faith. He wants them to grow in their personal holiness and knowledge of the Lord. But it also shows the depth of how much he cares for the believers and how much they mean to him.

He states in verses 9 and 10 that his prayer is that the Philippians may abound in knowledge and depth of insight, so that they will be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until Jesus' return. It was important for them to grow in their knowledge because there were many false teachings about Christ at that time, just as there are today. By being well-grounded in Scripture, they would be able to discern which teachings about Christ are false and be able to refute them. It was also important because this is an important means that God uses to transform them, to help them grow to be like Christ and to obey Scripture's commands.

Verse 11 continues to bear this out, saying that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. The only way to have this righteous life is to be in a right relationship with Christ. Being grounded in Scripture is one way that God causes this to happen. The result should be praise and glory being given to God, both by us and others.
 

[JT]