Chapter One
Phil. 1:1. Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ,
Here the apostle does not put forward his apostolic dignity, but simply calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. This title is certainly great as well, only it is of a more general character. But when he writes to Timothy and the Corinthians, he calls himself an apostle. Why is this? Because there he wished to set many things in order, and therefore put forward his apostolic dignity. But here he commands nothing of the sort, but rather considers them as equals to himself.
Phil. 1:1. To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,
Since the Jews also called themselves holy, because they were a holy nation, the apostle added "in Christ Jesus," because those who are in Christ Jesus are truly holy, while those (Jews) are unclean.
Phil. 1:1. with the bishops and deacons:
He called the presbyters here bishops, since there were not many bishops in one city. At that time there was not yet a distinction in titles, and the bishops themselves were called deacons and presbyters. Therefore, when Paul wrote to Timothy as a bishop, he said, "fulfill your ministry" (τὴν διακονίαν) (2 Tim. 4:5), and then: "which was given you with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Tim. 4:14), that is, of the bishops, because presbyters did not ordain a bishop. On the other hand, presbyters were also called bishops (ἐπίσκοποι), since they too, evidently, watched over the people in order to cleanse and enlighten those in need. Why then does he now write to the clergy, which he nowhere else did? Because they themselves had sent Epaphroditus, who brought to the apostle what he needed.
Phil. 1:2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He adds the customary greeting, wishing them to be filled with grace, so that they would not exalt themselves over one another and thereby not lose peace and concord; because grace is received by those who are free from pride.
Phil. 1:3. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Phil. 1:4. Always in every prayer of mine for you all
Every time I remember you, says the apostle (and this I do always), I glorify God for the fact that you have advanced so much in virtue. But, despite the fact that you are so glorious in divine matters, I do not cease to pray for you, but pray for all of you, that you may progress still more and more.
Phil. 1:4. Offering my prayer with joy,
For it is possible to remember with sorrow as well, as, for example, he says in another place: "Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you" (2 Cor. 2:4). Therefore, remembrance with joy is a testimony of their virtue.
Phil. 1:5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day even until now,
Here he testifies to them of their great and truly apostolic work. He says that they are companions and partners with me in the labor of preaching the Gospel, not at one time or another, but from the time they believed, even until now. How then do you participate? By sending me everything I need and caring for me. For whoever assists and helps in every possible way one who labors in any good work becomes a participant in that work. Thus those who care for the martyrs, and those who remove every worldly care from the ascetics, and finally those who give teachers the ability not to be distracted — all become partakers of their crowns.
Phil. 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it
I give thanks, he says, and "I rejoice," in the hope that God, "who began a good work in you," will Himself also "bring it to completion," because from the past I draw conclusions about the future as well. See how he teaches them to think humbly of themselves, when he ascribed everything to God and not to them alone; however, by this he in no way deprived them of honor, since he said: "who began in you," that is, according to your desire. If there had been no desire on the part of man, then God would have done nothing either; because if He acted unconditionally, nothing would have prevented Him from acting in the Greeks and in all people as well. Thus, Paul greatly praises the Philippians for the fact that they drew to themselves the grace of God for assistance not human, but divine. At the same time he also encourages them, so that they would not lose heart; because if God will complete what He began, then it will not be a great labor for them.
Phil. 1:6. even unto the day of Jesus Christ,
That is, until the coming of the Lord. Thus, he says, I believe that the Lord will act not only in you, but also in those who will come after you, even until the end of the world. Or else, by the day of Jesus Christ, understand the death of each person, that is, the end.
Phil. 1:7. As it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, in my chains, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel,
I, he says, am convinced that you will remain such to the end, and I think this about you because I always have you in my heart and know your good deeds, know that you strive even in my absence to be partakers with me in the grace of the Gospel and of my bonds. Therefore it is right that I draw such a conclusion about you, and judge the end by the beginning. What praise it is for the Philippians that they are enclosed in the heart of Paul, who loves not simply, but with discernment and only those who are worthy! Even at that time, he says, when I was defending myself before Nero, you did not leave my memory. He calls bonds and afflictions a confirmation of the Gospel; but you may also call the defense itself such. For obviously, if he had not been convinced of unspeakable rewards and ineffable blessings, he would not have been put in bonds; he would not have been subjected to the judgment of the cruel Nero, if he had not foreseen another King, more faithful and enduring. Thus, his bonds are rather a confirmation of the Gospel.
Phil. 1:7. You all, as my fellow partakers in grace.
Here the apostle shows that he loves them not without reason. Because, he says, I have you in my heart, for you share with me in this grace, that is, in afflictions and bonds, and you not only zealously strive not to fall away from us in afflictions, but also to be co-participants in the trials which we endure for the sake of the Gospel. That bonds are a grace is evident from the words of the Lord: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). Or even better, as he says further on: "to you it has been granted as a grace to suffer for Christ." Notice: he did not say "participants," but "co-participants," showing by this that he himself is also a participant with others, as it is also said in another place: that I became a co-participant of the Gospel, that is, so that I might share in the blessings that are destined for the proclaimers of the Gospel.
Phil. 1:8. God is my witness, that I love you all with the love of Jesus Christ;