Philippians 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

Apostolic address and salutation. The Apostle Paul is as characteristic in his greetings as in the substance of his epistolary writings. I. THE AUTHORS OF THE GREETING . "Paul and Timotheus, bond-slaves of Jesus Christ." 1 . The apostle associates Timothy with himself as one who had labored at Philippi and was well known to the Christians of that city. Timothy, besides, was then his companion at Rome. It was natural that he should name the disciple who was associated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

Saints, bishops, and deacons. In the beginning of this earliest Epistle of the captivity, according to the showing of Lightfoot, the apostle does not deem it needful to declare his apostleship or to indulge in even the semblance of self-assertion. Bracketing Timotheus with himself, he simply declares that they are slaves ( δοῦλοι ) of Jesus Christ, and as such desire to address the constituents of the Philippian Church. The contents of this Epistle are eminently joy-inspiring; it is, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

Introduction. This Epistle of Paul breathes throughout the tenderest affection and most passionate longing toward the Philippians. It was called forth by a token of their affection in a contribution for his support sent by Epaphroditus. It is pervaded by a deeper tone of satisfaction than any other of his Epistles. It is characteristically epistolary in its freedom of plan and familiarity of expression. Written without a dogmatic purpose, there is one important doctrinal passage in it; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

Paul's salutation. "This Epistle," says the learned Lewin, "was written during Paul's captivity, en to tols desmois men ( Philippians 1:7 ), and at Rome ( Philippians 4:22 ). And Paul had been long enough a prisoner to have produced great effects both in the Praetorium and elsewhere ( Philippians 1:13 ). The long captivity of the apostle before the date of the letter appears also from this. The Philippians had heard of his imprisonment at Rome, and had sent him pecuniary relief by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:1-2

The Philippian Church (the firstborn Church of Europe) a type of the Catholic Church. I. IT IS IN THE WORLD . Philippi, a city of importance as a center of trade and traffic. A Roman colony reproducing on a minute scale the institutions of the empire city. II. IT IS NOT OR THE WORLD , BUT IS CHRIST . In him its life is hidden. Three times in these two verses are its members reminded of him. The Church is nothing except so far as it is the living body of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus - Paul frequently unites some person with him in his epistles; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 1:1. It is clear from this, that Timothy was with Paul at Rome. Why he was there is unknown. It is evident that he was not there as a prisoner with Paul, and the probability is, that he was one of the friends who had gone to Rome with a view to show his sympathy with him in his sufferings; compare the notes at 2 Timothy 4:9. There was special propriety in the fact that Timothy was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 1:1-2

Philippians 1:1-2. Paul and Timotheus, servants of Jesus Christ St. Paul, writing familiarly to the Philippians, does not style himself an apostle. And under the common title of servants, he tenderly and modestly joins with himself his son Timothy, who had attended him in his general travels in those parts, had come with him to Philippi, not long after the apostle had received him, (Acts 16:3; Acts 16:12,) and had doubtless assisted him in preaching the gospel there. To all the saints The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:1-11

1:1-26 PAUL’S EXPERIENCES DURING IMPRISONMENTA prayer for the Philippians (1:1-11)In greeting the church, Paul mentions in particular the church leaders, as these had probably been responsible for arranging the collection of gifts sent to him (1:1-2). He is thankful not only for the present gift, but for the many gifts they have sent him, from his first visit to their city to his current imprisonment. Through their prayers and gifts they have been true partners with him in spreading the gospel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 1:1

Timotheus . See 2 Corinthians 1:1 . servants . App-190 . Jesus Christ . App-98 . saints . See Acts 9:13 . in . App-104 . Christ Jesus . App-98 . at . App-104 . with . App-104 . bishops. Greek episkopos. See Acts 20:28 . deacons . App-190 . The only place where these officers are mentioned together. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 1:1

PAUL'S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANSPHIL. 1This marvelous epistle begins, as Paul usually begins, with a salutation followed by thanksgiving and supplication upon behalf of the readers. The first chapter also records Paul's remarkable soliloquy. As pointed out in the Introduction, it is useless to divide this letter in the pattern of a classical outline. Philippians is not an essay or treatise of any kind but a personal letter to beloved friends; and it runs along in the same somewhat rambling... read more

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