Philippians 1:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

We have here the inscription and benediction. Observe, I. The persons writing the epistle?Paul and Timotheus. Though Paul was alone divinely inspired, he joins Timothy with himself, to express his own humility, and put honour upon Timothy. Those who are aged, and strong, and eminent, should pay respect to, and support the reputation of, those who are younger, and weaker, and of less note. The servants of Jesus Christ; not only in the common relation of his disciples, but in the peculiar work... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:1-2

1:1-2 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, write this letter to all those in Philippi who are consecrated to God because of their relationship to Jesus Christ, together with the overseers and the deacons. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. The opening sentence sets the tone of the whole letter. It is characteristically a letter from a friend to his friends. With the exception of the letter to the Thessalonians and the little... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:1-2

The letter is addressed, as the Revised Standard Version has it, to all the saints in Christ Jesus. The word translated saint is hagios, ( Greek #40 ); and saint is a misleading translation. To modern ears it paints a picture of almost unworldly piety. Its connection is rather with stained glass windows than with the market-place. Although it is easy to see the meaning of hagios ( Greek #40 ) it is hard to translate it. Hagios ( Greek #40 ), and its Hebrew equivalent qadowsh ( ... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 1:1-2

Paul's greeting to his friends is: Grace be to you and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ (compare Romans 1:7 ; 1 Corinthians 1:3 ; 2 Corinthians 1:2 ; Galatians 1:3 ; Ephesians 1:2 ; Colossians 1:2 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:2 ; Phlippians 1:3 ). When Paul put together these two great words, grace and peace, (charis, Greek #5485 , and eirene, Greek #1515 ), he was doing something very wonderful. He was taking the normal... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ ,.... The apostle sets his own name first, as being not only superior to Timothy in age, in office, and in character, but the sole writer of this epistle. The reasons of his joining Timothy with him are, because he was with him when he first preached at Philippi, and so was known unto the Philippians, and respected by them; and because he was about to send him to them again, whose commendations he enlarges on in the epistle itself; and to let... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus - That Timothy was at this time with the apostle in Rome we learn from Phlippians 2:19 , and also that he was very high in the apostle‘s estimation. He had also accompanied the apostle on his two voyages to Philippi, see Acts 16 and 20., and was therefore deservedly dear to the Church in that city. It was on these accounts that St. Paul joined his name to his own, not because he was in any part the author of this epistle, but he might have been the apostle‘s amanuensis,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 1:1

Verse 1 1Paul and Timotheus, servants of Jesus Christ While Paul is accustomed, in the inscription of his epistles, to employ titles of distinction, with the view of procuring credit for himself and his ministry, there was no need of lengthened commendations in writing to the Philippians, who had known him by experience as a true Apostle of Christ, and still acknowledged him as such beyond all controversy. For they had persevered in the calling of God steadfastly, and in an even tenor. (24) ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus . St. Paul does not assume his official title in writing to the Macedonian Churches, Philippi and Thessalonica; it is used in all his other Epistles, except the short letter to Phlippians. His relations to the Philippians and Thessalonians were those of the deepest personal affection; there was no need of a formal introduction, especially in an Epistle which has so little of an official character as this to the Philippians. He joins the name of Timothy with his own, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1

An ancient letter. We not only miss the drift of many parts of the Bible, but we also lose much of the interest they might excite in us, when we fail to observe the circumstances under which they were written. in the Epistle to the Philippians, for example, we have a letter addressed by a remarkable man under very touching conditions to a community of people in whom he felt deep interest. The primary, historical purpose of the writing is determined by these hers. I. THE WRITER .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

The address. I. ST . PAUL 'S DESCRIPTION OF HIMSELF . He is a servant of Jesus Christ. 1 . He does not here style himself an apostle. The title was unnecessary in writing to the Philippians; he does not assume it needlessly. He associates Timotheus with himself. In the presence of the blessed Lord and Master distinctions sink into insignificance. 2 . Paul and Timotheus are alike " servants ." But that name, in its inner meaning, is a lofty title. He who belongs... read more

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