Slaves of Christ Jesus

Today we are starting something new. We are going to work our way through the book of Philippians. I know for some of you the Idea of working through books is really tedious and/or boring. But I prefer it for many reasons.

One, we get to look at the bible as it was written.

Two, it forces me to work with material and cover things I may feel more comfortable skipping. We all have things that we feel comfortable with and that is where we tend to stay. That is why you see so many pastors on tv or in actuality talking about the same thing every week. But this way pushes me outside of my comfort zone.

Philippians 1:1-2

Philippians 1:1–2 LEB

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is Paul

Paul is a man that you as Christian should be familiar with. He arguably wrote 13 books of the New Testament. Including this one which is a letter to the church in Philippi.

Coming from the Bible belt it is hard for me to imagine that you could write a letter the church of Philippi and be speaking to all the Christians in that town and surrounding area. Even here we have the catholic church, and christians that choose to drive across the river to attend. or ones that prefer to watch tv and “go to church” that way. Though I frown on that kind of thinking.

Paul was Jewish-born in Tarsus, near the Lebanese border in modern Turkey. He also was a Roman citizen. Which is why he was taken to Rome to be tried. He was a prominent, highly educated Jewish religious leader. You may of heard of the group he belonged to, Pharisee. The same group that Jesus was hardest on, in my opinion because they were the closest to being correct they just missed it. But that is why Jesus came so that we may have Grace because we all just miss it no matter how close we get.

Then Paul Had a dramatic in-counter with Jesus where he became physically blind until he was able to spiritually see. And he tirelessly took the truth of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and Jews (but focus on Gentiles). He will be imprisoned in Rome, A.D. 67 during the reign of Nero. and will Die in prison, A.D. 68

He writes this letter while in prison in Rome. (Keep that in mind as you read it). And he writes it with Timothy as a coauthor though it seems that is only by Paul’s credit and not in actuallity

Who is Timothy

Galatians through Colossians 1. The Writers (v. 1a)

Timothy was apparently Paul’s closest associate. A resident of Lystra, Timothy joined Paul’s traveling team on the second missionary journey. From that point on, he was either at Paul’s side or traveling on Paul’s behalf until the end of Paul’s life. He is named as “associate writer” in letters written on the second journey (1, 2 Th.), the third journey (2 Cor.), and during the Roman imprisonment (Col., Eph., Phil.).

Timothy became like a son to Paul.

Where, Why, When

Philippi A city in Macedonia (northeast Greece, today) named after Alexander the Great’s father, King Philip II.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

Based on Philippi’s likely demographics, the church there would have been almost entirely non-Jewish, non-Roman, and impoverished—perhaps joined by a few middle-class merchants. The believers probably faced severe persecution and economic hardships (see note on Phil 1:29).

Though it was probably a fairly large city with an important gold-mining town.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1

By the time Paul arrived to preach the gospel (around AD 50), the city’s culture and institutions would have been decidedly Roman, with civic power concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of elites who owned property in the surrounding countryside. These estates and farms would have been served by a large underclass that lived mainly in the city—non-Roman laborers, tradesmen, and service workers.

Unlike other cities that Paul visited Philippi does not seem to have had a synagogue. Neither Acts 16 nor the book of Philippians indicate a Jewish community. in-fact the God-fearing women meeting for prayer outside the city in Acts 16 suggest that there was not enough of a Jewish presence to warrant a synagogue.

What does it mean to be a slave of Christ Jesus

Here Paul opens that they are doulos or slaves, bondslaves to Christ Jesus. Which means he was totally at his owner-master’s disposal. By this word Paul indicates that he (with Timothy) is property of his Master, Jesus Christ and he does his Lord’s bidding. That almost sounds fanatical. We would probably look at someone like they were crazy if they went around talking about themselves like that. Looking to see if they were going to go shoot something up or blow themselves up.

But Paul was Ernest in his believe that He was bonded to his master and did just as Jesus called him too. Even unto Death.

I want that kind of call on my life. I want that kind of Faith. That If my master Lord Jesus calls I will do. If he says no. I will hold. If he says wait I will Wait.

Total servitude to Christ Jesus above all else in my life. But how many times have I failed to act as a bond servant. Resisting, openly defying, sinning.

But Paul knows that it is possible even in his life and others. He tells us that he is writing to the Saints

To all the Saints

Saints (Hagios) means apart or holy ones. He is writing this letter to the believers. Not some specific person that is oked by the church as being saint. but to the holy ones. Those who are christians. or as Paul would say, fellow bondservants. He is calling them, calling us, addressing them as Holy. and we can be holy.

This is a covenant term, “transferred from the old dispensation to the new” (Lightfoot 81), a “harkening back to the naming of Israel as the holy people of God (ex. 19.6; Lev. 11:44) (Ridderbos 331).

Galatians through Colossians 2. The Recipients (v. 1b)

Christians are this because they are God’s. Whatever is possessed by God is “holy” by virtue of that fact.

Next Steps

Being holy requires that we trust that God sees the bigger picture more than just intellectually, but with faith.

I pray God help me to give my self over to you, totally that I may also call my self a bond servant, a slave to you. in your righteousness.