Who are the “saints,” “bishops,” and “deacons” Paul greets at Philippi?

When Paul writes to “all the saints in Christ Jesus” at Philippi, he is talking about all believers there, not a special class. “Saints” are people set apart for God because they are in Christ, made holy by His grace, not by their own efforts. He also greets the “bishops” and “deacons.” The word “bishops” here refers to the pastors or elders who care for the church spiritually. “Deacons” are those who serve, especially in practical and material needs. Together they show an organized church where all belong to Christ.

What does “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it” mean?

This line means that God Himself started His work of grace in the Philippian believers, and He will not abandon it halfway. The “good work” is God changing their hearts, giving them faith, and growing them in holiness. Paul is sure that God will keep shaping them until “the day of Jesus Christ,” when Christ returns. So their hope does not rest on their own strength, but on God’s faithfulness to finish what He began. It is meant to comfort and steady them, especially in hard times.

Why does Paul rejoice even though he is in prison and some preach Christ from envy?

Paul explains that his chains have actually helped the message about Christ spread, even into the palace. Other believers have become bolder because they see his example. Some people preach Christ out of love, but others from envy and rivalry, hoping to make his situation harder. Yet Paul still rejoices because Christ is being preached. His main concern is not his own comfort or reputation, but that Jesus is made known. This shows a heart that puts Christ’s honor above personal feelings, even in unfair situations.

What does Paul mean by “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”?

When Paul says “to live is Christ,” he means that his whole life is centered on Christ: serving Him, speaking about Him, and helping others grow in faith. Living on in his body means more work and fruit for Christ. “To die is gain” means that death will bring him into Christ’s presence in a closer way, which he calls “far better.” He feels torn: he desires to be with Christ, yet sees that staying alive is more helpful for the believers. This shows how deeply he treasures Christ above everything.

Why does Paul say it is given not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him?

Paul tells the Philippians that both believing in Christ and suffering for His sake are given to them. Faith is a gift from God, not something we create on our own. In the same way, when they suffer because they belong to Christ, this too is something God allows and uses. It is not a sign that God forgot them, but a mark of sharing in Christ’s path and in Paul’s own struggle. This teaching helps them see persecution as part of God’s plan to strengthen them, not as a reason to give up.

How does Paul pray for the Philippians’ love, and why does it matter?

Paul prays that their love would “abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.” He does not just want warm feelings, but a love shaped by knowing God and having good sense. This kind of love helps them “approve things that are excellent,” choosing what really pleases God. The goal is that they be sincere and without stumbling until the day of Christ, filled with “fruits of righteousness” that come through Jesus. So his prayer is that their inner life and outward actions both grow to honor God.

What does it mean to live “as it becometh the gospel of Christ”?

When Paul says, “let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ,” he is telling the Philippians to live in a way that fits the message they believe. Their conduct should match the good news about Jesus. He wants to hear that they stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not being frightened by opponents. A life worthy of the gospel is marked by unity, courage, and steady faith, whether Paul can visit them or not.

Why does Paul connect unity and courage in the face of adversaries?

Paul urges the Philippians to stand fast “in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” and not to be terrified by their adversaries. Unity helps them hold firm when pressure comes. When they are joined in heart and purpose, they can face threats and insults without being shaken. Their calm courage shows their enemies that fighting against Christ’s people leads to ruin, while their own steadfastness points to salvation from God. So unity and courage go together as a clear witness to whom they belong.

What does this passage teach about God’s role and our role in the Christian life?

This chapter shows both God’s work and our response. God begins the good work in believers and promises to complete it. The fruits of righteousness come “by Jesus Christ,” not from our own strength. At the same time, believers are called to abound in love, grow in knowledge, approve what is excellent, live in a way that fits the gospel, stand firm together, and not be frightened by opponents. God’s grace is the source, and our changed lives are the result, bringing glory and praise to God.

Phil.1.1

Philippians 1:1

KJV

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Greetings from Paul and Timothy

1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s Trials Advance the Gospel

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

To Live Is Christ

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Worthy of the Gospel

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.