Title: The Apostle's Text
Contents 1. Message from the apostles (1:1,2)
The Apostle Paul's book of Philippians, which deals with the truth of Christ and the fellowship of saints, is called the epistle of joy. One of the greatest characteristics of Christianity is joy.
Those who live in Christ cannot help but overflow with joy. The book of Philippians is a love letter to the Philippian church that Paul established during his second missionary journey.
1. Sender
Paul is writing this letter to those who may never be able to reunite with their loved ones while they are struggling to dry their blood in prison.
① Paul and Timothy
Paul does not say his name alone, but begins with “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.”
Paul and Timothy have a priestly relationship.= He is a son of faith who loved Timothy enough to call him his son, but humbly puts himself and Timothy on the same line.
Paul did not only point to humility in words, but he showed it in his life.
Paul's humility, humanity, and humility are in this passage.
On the other hand, Timothy was an indispensable and important person to Paul.
② Servant of Christ Jesus
“Slave” means “slave,” that is, a slave, not a master-slave relationship between an employer and an employee.
A slave cannot live according to his will. So Paul expressed that he is not alive, but Christ is alive, and that he lives for Christ, not for which he moves.
We used to be slaves to sin, but now we are Christ's people. (Psalm 51:5) “I was born in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”
(Proverbs 5:22) “The wicked is caught in his own wickedness, and is bound by the cords of his sin.”
A servant of Christ is a servant of love.
2. Recipient
① Saints living in Philippi
A saint is a person set apart by God to accomplish his purpose.
(1 Peter 2:9) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the goodness of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
② Director and butler
Bishop = Pastor / Pastors are descendants of apostles who came to the New Testament.
In other words, the fellowship of the saints and the administration of relief were done by the elders and deacons.
3. Text content
① Grace and Peace
'Grace' is receiving for free, love overflowing with compassion.
‘Peace’ means ‘shalom’, which means ‘good things’.
② From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
To serve Christ is to serve God.