Robertson Word Pictures - Philippians 1:1 - 1:1

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Robertson Word Pictures - Philippians 1:1 - 1:1


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Paul (Paulos). He does not mention his apostleship as he usually does. Omitted also in I and II Thess. and Philemon.

Timothy (Timotheos). In no sense the author, but associated with Paul because with him here in Rome as in Corinth when I and II Thessalonians written and in Ephesus when I Corinthians sent and in Macedonia when II Corinthians written. Timothy was with Paul when the Philippian church was founded (Act 16:1, Act 16:13; Act 17:14). He had been there twice since (Act 19:22; Act 20:3.).

To all the saints (pāsi tois hagiois). The word saint (hagios) here is used for the professing Christians as in 1Co 1:2 which see as well as Rom 1:7 for the origin of the word. The word “all” (pāsi) means that all individual believers are included. Paul employs this word frequently in Philippians.

In Christ Jesus (en Christōi Iēsou). The centre for all Christian relations and activities for Paul and for us.

In Philippi (en Philippois). See note on Act 16:12 for discussion of this name.

With the bishops (sun episkopois). “Together with bishops,” thus singled out from “all the saints.” See note on Act 20:17 and note on Act 20:28 for the use of this most interesting word as equivalent to presbuteros (elder). It is an old word from episkeptomai, to look upon or after, to inspect, so the overseer or superintendent. In the second century episcopos (Ignatius) came to mean one superior to elders, but not so in the N.T. The two New Testament church officers are here mentioned (bishops or elders and deacons). The plural is here employed because there was usually one church in a city with several pastors (bishops, elders).

And deacons (kai diakonois). Technical sense here of the other church officers as in 1Ti 3:8-13, not the general use as in Mat 22:13. The origin of the office is probably seen in Act 6:1-6. The term is often applied to preachers (1Co 3:5; 2Co 3:6). The etymology (dia, konis) suggests raising a dust by hastening.