11 Paul and Timothy , bond-servants of Christ Jesus , To all the [1] saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi , [2]including the overseers and deacons : 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ .
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all , 5 in view of your [3] participation in the gospel from the first day until now . 6 For I am confident of this very thing , that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus .
7 [4]For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all , because I have you in my heart , since both in my [5] imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel , you all are partakers of grace with me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philippians 1:1-7
Commentary on Philippians 1:1-7
(Read Philippians 1:1-7)
The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be servants of Christ. And those who are not really saints on earth, never will be saints in heaven. Out of Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. There is no peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for the graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we receive the benefit, and God receives the glory. The work of grace will never be perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may always be confident God will perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has really begun it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward appearances, nor in any thing but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to their ministers, when they receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear one to another.