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Philippians 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:

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

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

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

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

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:

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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.

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

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

What does Philippians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Philippians 1:2 is a typical Pauline greeting that combines the traditional Greek salutation "grace" (charis) with the Hebrew greeting "peace" (shalom).

In this verse, grace means the unmerited favor and love of God while peace indicates a state of well-being and harmony.

The verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian experience, which is understood as existing within the sphere of the divine grace and peace that emanates from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The fact that Paul links Jesus Christ with God the Father in the transmission of grace and peace underlines the intimate relationship between them and confirms the divinity of Christ in Christian theology.

The greeting is both a blessing and a wish, affirming that the recipients (the Philippians) are living within the blessings of God’s favor and tranquility.

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

The Book of Philippians is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Philippi.

Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia and a leading city in that region during the first century.

The letter was likely written around AD 60-62 while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.

The greeting structure of grace and peace was a common feature in Paul’s letters, blending Greco-Roman and Jewish elements, reflecting the multicultural environment of the early Christian communities.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse speaks to the incorporation of both Jewish and Gentile believers into the Christian faith.

"Grace" and "peace" are fundamental concepts in Christian soteriology, with grace referring to the gifts of salvation and divine aid freely given by God, and peace referring to the reconciled relationship between God and humans through Jesus Christ.

Different theological traditions place emphasis on varying aspects of this verse:

Protestant perspectives might highlight sola gratia, the idea that salvation comes by grace alone.
Catholic understandings typically emphasize the continuation of grace through the sacraments and the Church.
Eastern Orthodox thinkers may discuss the concept of theosis, where God’s grace enables believers to become partakers of the divine nature.

Practical Applications

The verse's emphasis on grace and peace offers several practical applications:

Encouraging Christians to greet one another with love and respect, reflecting the character of God’s care for believers.
Reminding believers to rely on God’s grace for strength and guidance in their daily lives.
Motivating Christians to seek peace with God and others, fostering reconciliation and harmony in their relationships.

Cross-References

Ephesians 1:2: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 1:2: "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 1:7: "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 John 1:3: "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."

Language Study

In the original Greek New Testament, key words in Philippians 1:2 hold particular significance:

"Grace" (charis): This word has connotations of kindness, goodwill, and favor.

It is used in the New Testament to indicate God's unmerited favor toward humanity.

"Peace" (eirene): Derived from the Hebrew "shalom," it does not simply mean the absence of conflict but also the presence of wholeness, completeness, prosperity, and well-being.
"God our Father" (Theos ho pater hemon): The phrase underscores the personal relationship Christians have with God, invoking the intimacy of a familial relationship.
"Lord Jesus Christ" (Kyrios Iesous Christos): This title affirms Jesus' lordship, his personal name, and his role as the anointed one (Messiah).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The greeting "grace and peace" within Philippians 1:2 differs from typical greetings in other ancient religions and texts, where there may be more instrumental or transactional views of deities.

In contrast, this Christian salutation emphasizes a relationship that carries a sense of unearned gift and holistic well-being.

Unlike many other ancient myths that may present the relationship with deity in terms of appeasement or earning favor, the Christian view presented here is of a grace that is freely given and accessible to all.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct scientific perspective on this verse since it deals with theological concepts rather than empirical claims.

However, some modern psychological studies highlight the benefits of experiencing and extending grace and forgiveness in human relationships, which might be seen as aligning with the spirit of this verse's emphasis on peace and well-being.

Commentaries

Several biblical commentaries offer insights into Philippians 1:2:

The MacArthur Study Bible notes that Paul often begins his letters with the words grace and peace, which are key elements of gospel blessing.
The ESV Study Bible explains that grace is the source of the believer’s peace.
The NIV Study Bible comments on the significance of incorporating both Greek and Jewish elements into the greeting, demonstrating the universal scope of the gospel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary refers to this salutation as a token of Paul's love and a prayer for the Philippians to experience the peace of God.

Philippians 1

Philippians 1

What does Philippians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Philippians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Philippians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?