Philippians 4:21, 22 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers which are with me greet you.… I. CHRISTIANITY IS THE RELIGION OF GOOD WILL TO MAN. It wishes well to all men, but especially to those of the household of faith. The apostle asks the Philippians to salute each individual saint as if he were to be the recipient of a separate blessing: "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus." The blessings we wish for our friends are only to be enjoyed in Christ Jesus. II. THE SALUTATIONS INDICATE THE SOLIDARITY OF THE CHURCH. The Church at Rome is closely bound to the Church at Philippi. 1. The salutation of the apostle's companions. "The brethren which are with me salute you." That is, as distinguished from the saints at Rome. The brethren included, at least, Timothy, Luke, Epaphroditus, Aristarchus, Tychicus, Epaphras, Mark, Demas, Onesimus. 2. The salutation of the saints, and especially those of Caesar's household. "All the saints salute you, but especially those of Caesar's household." The saints of the great city of Rome, so far from despising the saints of the colonial town of Philippi, acknowledge a common brotherhood in their kindly greeting. The thought of the saints in Caesar's household suggests many reflections as to the penetrative power of the gospel. It is a remarkable tribute to its power that there should be saints in the household of Nero Caesar. Mark: (1) The place of these saints. "In Caesar's household." Whether they were members of the Praetorian Guard or retainers in the emperor's family, they were (a) in the most important position in the world - at Rome, the seat of empire, with communications reaching to the ends of the earth; (b) they were tolerated in their religion, during the brief interval when Rome, with a glorious impartiality, opened its gates to all the faiths of the world, but in two years' time, indifference turned to hatred, and hatred to persecution; (c) they were in the most corrupt household in the world, in the last place where we should have expected to find saints. (2) The character of their saintship. (a) It was heroic saintship; (b) it showed independence; (c) it showed constancy. The catacombs of Rome convey the record of this saintship in the original purity of gospel life. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.WEB: Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. |
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