Verse 2
2. Brethren… with me His retinue of friends, fellow-preachers, and supporters. To allude to them is brotherly courtesy to them, and confirmation to himself. See notes, Acts 20:4; Acts 21:16.
Churches This is, therefore, a circular letter, to be read in the Christian congregations of Ancyra, Pessinus, and Tavium, and the other Churches of the province. Such letters were carried by messengers, charged often with special verbal messages, and directed to whom to be delivered. Very probably different copies were thus distributed, each to the proper Church.
No affectionate epithet or clause is added to the word churches, and no commendations or congratulations, such as open the other epistles, enliven this. The omission is a silent rebuke, preparatory to the rebukes soon to be uttered.
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