I am currently working through Paul’s letter to the Philippians in my personal bible study. I have read the book many times throughout my life, but there is truly something amazing when you slow down and really take it in. I started in January at some point and I just finished chapter 1. Now, I have also been studying Exodus deeply with my morning Bible study group, so often that took precedence.

One of the best things I learned from Jen Wilkin’s book Women of the Word was “reading the envelope“. It made so much sense to me. When we receive a letter, we don’t rip it open and start reading without at least taking a few seconds to find out who it’s addressed to, who it came from, and why they’re writing to you in the first place. Further to that, the analogy continues that in a personal letter we don’t just jump to any old paragraph and start reading there, we start at the top. For that reason alone it makes sense to read entire books in one sitting if possible, before delving into some of the details.

We will see who the author is, the approximate date it was written, who it was addressed to and why it was written.

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote this letter to the church in Philippi. It was an important city in Macedonia, located in the northern part of Greece, so it was populated by Greek gentiles. It was also a Roman colony which was considered privileged due to the rights given to citizens as Romans as Paul speaks of in Acts 22:22-29. Being a Roman colony in Greek Macedonia meant there weren’t many Jews. We can deduce that because according to Acts 16, Paul and Silas went outside the city gates on the Sabbath Day, presumably because there wasn’t a synagogue there. So we know who wrote this letter, and that it was sent to the Gentile church in Philippi, which had been established by Paul and Silas during his second missionary journey. (also, we know that Paul visited Philippi twice).

Another important aspect to this envelope is to see where it came from, not just who it’s from. It is widely believed that this letter was written while Paul was in prison in Rome, around 60-62 AD while Nero was Emperor. This imprisonment is recorded in Acts 28. Also, Paul refers to the “imperial guard” in 1:13, and “Caesar’s household” in 4:22. It’s important to remember his imprisonment when reading Philippians, because it’s known as the “joy letter”!

Why did Paul write this? He loved the church at Philippi. They were near and dear to his heart, as evidenced by the thanks he gives in verses 3-11. They had sent him a gift with Epaphroditus while he was in prison, and he wanted to acknowledge that. And incidentally, it’s likely that Epaphroditus was the messenger who took this letter back to the church. Being in a predominantly Greek/Roman place, persecution was present and Paul sought to encourage them to stand firm in the faith with the Gospel message. According to the Reformation Study Bible notes, the letter also is significant in the topics of the Christian life and giving, union with Christ, justification by grace alone through faith alone, and perseverance.

The envelope is read. And a quick scan over the letter reveals the main points.

Right off, in Chapter 1:1 , we read Timothy’s name. Timothy was Paul’s “protege”, a young man who was like a son to Paul, and who became one of his companions in some of his journeys. Later, he also was the pastor in the church at Ephesus. Timothy is also mentioned in a few other letters…..2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon. Paul refers to themselves as servants of Christ Jesus, indicating that their task is from Christ, that Christ is their authority. In most of his other letters he refers to himself as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why did he leave out the fact that he was an Apostle? The use of servants – in Greek “doulos” – suggests that he’s writing to them with humility as a servant, meaning that he (and Timothy) belong to the Lord. He addresses “the church” by using “to all the saints” (all meaning every person in that church!), but here he’s made it somewhat particular. To “all the saints” he adds overseers and deacons. This letter is the only one that singles out a particular demographic of people. Perhaps he’s reminding them that leadership is not above or beyond the regular members of the church. His letter is to all – leaders, and the average person in the pew. And then follows the greeting he uses in most of his letters (or some version of it) “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

That greeting conveys the message that the grace of God is to all of them. Grace – getting what we don’t deserve. (as opposed to mercy which is not getting what we deserve). And that grace is unmerited. Peace – to use the Hebrew term – Shalom, comes from the grace of God. It’s for those who are in Christ! We receive these words in church today as a greeting from God through the minister. We’re so used to hearing them, that we don’t truly hear what is being conveyed….from God Himself! This grace and peace is from God = the Triune God. But specifically, from the God who is our Father, and from the God who is our Saviour Jesus Christ. Equal persons in the One God. What an amazing thing to consider that even today this greeting we hear is from God the Father and Jesus Christ! (Paul later refers to the Holy Spirit, so his use of God always implies the Trinity).

Next time, I hope to share some of what I’ve learned in the rest of Chapter 1.

Grace and peace!