Personal notes accompany most of Paul’s writings, although this one to the Philippians is a bit shorter than others. Obviously he had a close relationship with them by the tone of his words. He calls them saints, as he did at the beginning (1:1). They are the “sanctified ones,” as are all Christians. Contrary to popular religious culture, the Bible never uses the term “saint” to refer to exemplary individuals that have been beatified by the church, complete with halos. When a person comes to Christ in faith, a number of things happen, one of which is that they are now set apart for God as special. That is what the word “holy” means. The English word “saint” comes from the same Greek word “holy.” Believers are “holy” ones. That is how God sees us, all of us! Even the carnal Christians in Corinth are called “saints.” (1 Cor 1:2).

Paul then mentions that the saints with him, even some believers from Caesar’s own household, send their greetings. His incarceration in Rome had the effect that “my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else” (Phil 1:13). The fact is that some within the intimate circles of the Roman emperor had come to faith in Christ and were now considered part of the church.

It was important that the various churches around the Mediterranean Sea maintain contact and fellowship. Though the movement of faith in Christ had been growing, with the number of local gatherings increasing, Paul continually stressed the unity of all believers. We might safely assume that as Christians travelled, the camaraderie would have been evident as they visited the different gatherings. As a minority group, such visitations would have been refreshing and encouraging. The church today has become so populous and diverse, that unfortunately, fellowship is often lost between Christians of different churches and denominations.

Finally, Grace! Paul begins every letter with “grace to you” and closes every letter with a salutation near the end which includes grace. Paul was all about the “grace of God.” Salvation is by grace and the Christian life is by grace. As believers, it is God’s grace that is sufficient. We become partakers of His grace as we participate in the gospel mission, as the Philippians had with Paul (1:17). We become channels of grace, conduits for God’s grace through us to others. And in so doing, we don’t stagnate but grow in grace.