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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 4:21 - 4:23
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_4:21-23
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Php_4:21-23 It is possible that this was written in Paul's own hand which became a common technique to verify the authenticity of his letters (cf. 1Co_16:21; Gal_6:11; Col_4:18; 2Th_3:17; Phm_1:19). This was also a common practice in the Koine Greek papyri found in Egypt. Most of Paul's letters were penned by a scribe (cf. Rom_16:22).
Php_4:21 "greet every saint" This is the only use of the word "saint" in the NT in the singular. It is followed in Php_4:22 by the plural form. Even Php_4:21 is used in a corporate sense. To be saved makes one a part of a family, a body, a field, a building, a people! It is impossible to be a spiritual "lone ranger." The gospel is received individually but results in a collective fellowship.
Be carful of the modern western overemphasis on individual rights and freedoms. Christianity is a corporate experience. Even well-known Reformation (Luther) slogans like "the Priesthood of the Believer" are biblically inaccurate. The NT people of God are described by the OT priestly phrases (cf. 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9; Rev. 1:60. But note that they are all plural, "a kingdom of priests."
Remember, believers are individually gifted at salvation for the common good (cf. 1Co_12:7). We are saved to serve. Our modern cultural milieu has changed the biblical focus into "what's in it for me?" thereby turning salvation into a ticket to heaven instead of a life of ministry. Believers are not saved so that they might exercise their freedoms nor actualize their potential, they are saved from sin to serve God (cf. Romans 6). See Special Topic: Saints at Col_1:2.
Php_4:22 "especially those of Caesar's household" This obviously relates to servants, slaves, and minor officials in Rome in governmental service (cf. Php_1:13). Paul's gospel had even invaded the Emperor's own staff and would one day cause the whole pagan system to collapse.
Php_4:23
NASB, NRSV,
NJB "be with your spirit"
NKJV, TEV "be with you all"
This refers to the human person. In the NT it is often very difficult to know if the author is referring to the Holy Spirit (with a capital "S") or the human spirit which is motivated by the Holy Spirit (with a little "s"). In this context it is obviously a little "s."
There is a manuscript variation in the Pauline closing (cf. Gal_6:18 and Phm_1:25). Some Greek texts, à c, K, and the Textus Receptus (NKJV), have "with you all," which was Paul's close in 1Co_16:24; 2Co_13:13; 2Th_3:18 and Tit_3:15. The majority of ancient Greek papyrus and uncial manuscripts have "with your spirit."
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