Salutation

1:1 From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer for the Church

1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 1:4 I always pray with joy in my every prayer for you all 1:5 because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 1:6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 1:7 For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners together with me in the grace of God. 1:8 For God is my witness that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 1:9 And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight 1:10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Paul was in prison in Rome, and Timothy, who was with Paul when the church at Philippi was formed, is apparently able to have access to Paul in order to help with his needs. The letter is written to the congregation at Philippi, which is under the leadership of elders and deacons chosen by the people.

To pick just one thought from this passage, Christ began a work in the hearts of the Philippians when they responded in faith to Paul’s gospel. Paul is certain that Christ will not let them go and that they can be sure of continuing to grow in knowledge and insight until they go to be with the Lord. I like to think that Christ likewise has begun a work in me, and I expect the same results. He has pretty flawed material with which to work, but I still have hope. -sdg-