Philippians 1:1-2
Philippians 1:1-2
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at
Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Devotion
Paul
begins with a typical salutation. First, he issues his co author Timothy, Paul
introduces himself and Timothy as servants of Christ Jesus. Really the Greek
here could be translated slave. For the Greek doulos. The term appears in only
three salutations. Romans Philemon, and Titus. It is necessary to ask why Paul used it here and elsewhere. He had not
met the Roman church personally, but neither had he met the Colossian
congregation. In Romans Paul used both “servant” and “apostle” (1:1). There
“servant” designates his humility, and he stated that even his apostleship came
by divine call. Perhaps more to the point, he did not have to assert his
authority at Rome or Philippi.[2] The Philippians no doubt
thought it strange, if not shocking. Paul chose his words carefully, and
“servant” truly characterized his life.[3]
There is a second possibility for Paul using the word slave.” The second
possibility comes from the Old Testament. Frequently the Septuagint used the
word “slave” for one who served Yahweh (e.g., Num 12:7). Moses was the
“servant” of the Lord, and from his day onward, the title became one of honor.
It stood for one who was commissioned by God for a special task. That
background may have influenced Paul, but he employed the word because it spoke
of humility[4] Paul wanted to make plain
that he was the servant of the people of the people to whom he was writing so as
not to come off as a know it all because of his position as an Apostle of Jesus
Christ.
Next, he identifies the recipients of the letter.
To the saints, overseers and deacons. He identified both the average person
(saints) then also to the leaders(overseers and deacons). The word overseer did
not mean then what it means now it did not mean bishop but rather pastor.
Deacons meant what we would commonly assume what it means. Those who serve the
least of these in the church body commonly the widows, orphans and the like. Since
overseers is plural here the church at Philippi had more than one overseer. The
overseer and the elders seem to have been the same person. They provided
oversight in areas of teaching and administration as there primary duties of
the office. Deacons provided for the physical needs of the church.
The greeting of Grace and peace to you is the
normal instructions to a church from Paul. Grace reminded Paul of God’s grace in
Christ. It means “may God’s grace be with you.” The fact that Paul placed it
before “peace” may indicate further his theological orientation that grace
provided for and secured peace. “Peace” no doubt conveyed Paul’s Hebrew
background and the typical greeting “shalom.” It had a full sense of “may all
things be well with you.” Both words as used by Paul imply a petition as well
as a greeting.[5]
Grace and peace were common phrases
in Paul’s letters. Meaning he wished the Philippians the best in the Lord.
Grace for getting along with each other and peace as a blessing for their lives
with fellow Christians and the rest of the world.
[2]
Richard R. Melick, Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 48.
[3]
Richard R. Melick, Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 48.
[4]
Richard R. Melick, Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 48.
[5]
Richard R. Melick, Philippians,
Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 51.
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