Today we begin a weekly study from the short but sweet book of Philippians. It is so easy to pass over the “small talk,” but the first two verses, as with all of them, are inspired by God! Thus the mature Christian will seek to learn from them. So here we go…
(1) Paul and Timothy are Servants of Christ (v. 1).
Paul frequently designates himself as an apostle (see Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 and 2 Cor. 1:1). Here though, he has nothing to prove but writes to brethren who readily respect him as well as his message. Surely we see in this letter how Paul would prefer to write to all churches!
He describes himself, and the young preacher, Timothy, as “servants.” The word “servant” (duolos) can be literally translated as “slave.” So why is it translated as “servant” in the ESV and other translations? According to the Preface of the ESV, published by Crossway, the translators used three different words where duolos is found, depending on the context. (1) The word “slave” is used when someone is held against their will with no hope of freedom. (2) The word “bondservant” is used when an individual may purchase their freedom or be freed after a duration of time. (3) The word “servant” is used when one works on behalf of another.
Paul and Timothy are willing and honored to serve Christ and His people! The love of Christ ought to compel us to become willing and joyful “slaves” of Christ, willing to spend and be spent for His great cause!
(2) Christians are Saints (v. 1)
Paul wrote this short letter to “the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi” (v. 1). First, it is obvious that Paul is writing to living Christians! The Bible does not use the word “saint” to refer to great Christians who have gone on and are later pronounced to be saints.
The word “saint” is from the same word that we get the word “holy” from. Saints are “holy ones.” They are set apart for service to a holy God through obedience to the Word (see Jn. 17:17; Rom. 1 Pt. 1:15). While the word “saint” does denote purity, it especially points to the relationship we enjoy “in Christ Jesus” (being baptized into Him; see Gal. 3:27 and Rom. 6:3-4) and our separatedness unto Him. As Paul says down in verse 21: “For to me to live is Christ.” (See also 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)
All Christians are saints, being set apart from this world to serve a holy God (see 1 Pt. 1:15-16).
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In just a few short words Paul gives us God’s organizational plan for the church. The leadership of the church consists of overseers and deacons. Overseers are sometimes designated with other words such as: shepherds (see Acts 20:17, 28) and elders (1 Pt. 5:1-2). These men must meet specific qualifications before being appointed to this position (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). They lead the church and have care for the souls of the congregation (see Heb. 13:17).
Deacons serve under the authority of elders. The word itself means “servant.” It should be noted that deacons are servants in the sense of having an official “office” in the church. We observe this in our passage, as well as by the mention of the qualifications set-forth for them in 1 Tim. 3:8-13).
(4) Grace and Peace is What Christians Desire for One Another (v. 2)
This was a customary greeting amongst brethren in that day and that Paul frequently used by the inspiration of the Spirit. Grace refers to the unmerited favor of God. Of course, any good thing that God gives us is undeserved! Peace may be viewed as the tranquility we are afforded through God’s grace. No grace… no peace! Our desire and prayer for one another cannot exceed the desire that our brethren be found in the grace and peace of our God!
Within two short verses we observe four great lessons:
- Christians are called to be willing servants.
- Christians are called to be saints… set apart for His purposes.
- Christians organize themselves under overseers and deacons.
- Christians desire grace and peace for one another.
Daren Schroeder
