Co-authors, Paul and Timothy, together penned this letter to the Philippians with a sense of joy, reflecting a close relationship with their readers and a maturity in their faith. How much of this letter was actually written by Timothy, we don’t know. Possibly the two had conversations about what the Philippians needed, which led to the writing. Nevertheless, being the effective discipler that he was, Paul includes Timothy as co-author of this work which ultimately found its way into the canon of Scripture.

Their humble introduction of themselves as “bond-servants” (in the Greek “doulos”) reflects the teaching of chapter two on the humbleness of Christ. This otherwise despised word in the ancient world became an appellation of honor when depicting the service of our Lord Christ Jesus. Though he was a powerful apostle in the hands of God, he was, in his own mind, simply a servant. Likewise early Christians adopted “bond-servant” as their self-identification.

In contrast, when he refers to the Philippians, he does not call them servants, but saints or “holy.” They have, as do all believers, the exalted privilege of being set aside out of the world to be treated special by God, as one would treat fine china in contrast to paper plates. While Paul used this designation for the Corinthians as well (1 Cor 1:2), the Philippians had more to be commended for in their behavior than the Corinthians. Yet both are holy in God’s site.

Notice that Paul writes to the whole congregation, though he mentions the overseers and deacons. This was not a communication to be filtered through the ecclesiastical hierarchy to the common people of the pew. The leadership is addressed in the context of the whole church—nothing secret here. “Overseers” is the Greek word episkopos, from which we get our word “bishop.” However, this word is used of elders interchangeably. When Paul gives his farewell speech to the Ephesian elders he says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28, see also Acts 20:17). Elders are overseers and shepherds over the local church. There is no biblical evidence of bishops ruling over an area of churches.

Finally, with his usual flourish, he desires for his readers to experience grace and peace from God. He gives full berth to deity, namely the Fatherhood of God, and Lordship of Jesus with his title of Christ, the hoped-for one.