Philippians 1:1

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

Παῦλος Paul G3972
Παῦλος Paul
Strong's: G3972
Word #: 1 of 20
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 2 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τιμόθεος Timotheus G5095
Τιμόθεος Timotheus
Strong's: G5095
Word #: 3 of 20
dear to god; timotheus, a christian
δοῦλοι the servants G1401
δοῦλοι the servants
Strong's: G1401
Word #: 4 of 20
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 5 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστῷ Christ G5547
Χριστῷ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 6 of 20
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
πᾶσιν to all G3956
πᾶσιν to all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 7 of 20
all, any, every, the whole
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίοις the saints G40
ἁγίοις the saints
Strong's: G40
Word #: 9 of 20
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ἐν at G1722
ἐν at
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 10 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
Χριστῷ Christ G5547
Χριστῷ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 11 of 20
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 12 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὖσιν which are G5607
οὖσιν which are
Strong's: G5607
Word #: 14 of 20
being
ἐν at G1722
ἐν at
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
Φιλίπποις Philippi G5375
Φιλίπποις Philippi
Strong's: G5375
Word #: 16 of 20
philippi, a place in macedonia
σὺν with G4862
σὺν with
Strong's: G4862
Word #: 17 of 20
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
ἐπισκόποις the bishops G1985
ἐπισκόποις the bishops
Strong's: G1985
Word #: 18 of 20
a superintendent, i.e., christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 19 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διακόνοις deacons G1249
διακόνοις deacons
Strong's: G1249
Word #: 20 of 20
an attendant, i.e., (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon)

Cross References

2 Corinthians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:Romans 1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,Romans 1:7To 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.1 Timothy 3:8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Ephesians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:1 Timothy 1:2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Thessalonians 1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.2 Thessalonians 1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Analysis & Commentary

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons (δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, douloi Christou Iēsou, "slaves of Christ Jesus")—Paul's self-designation emphasizes complete ownership and devoted service. The term douloi was startling in a Roman colony proud of its citizenship; Paul claimed a higher allegiance. Saints (ἁγίοις, hagiois, "holy ones") refers not to moral perfection but positional holiness—those set apart by Christ.

The mention of bishops and deacons (ἐπισκόποις καὶ διακόνοις, episkopois kai diakonois) is unique among Paul's letter openings, suggesting organized church leadership in this Macedonian congregation. Episkopoi ("overseers") and diakonoi ("servants/ministers") point to emerging church structure, though offices were less defined than later centuries. Timothy's co-authorship honors his ministry partner and Philippi's fondness for him (Acts 16:1-3).

Historical Context

Philippi was a leading Roman colony in Macedonia (modern Greece), established by Augustus after the Battle of Philippi (42 BC). Veterans settled there enjoyed ius Italicum—exemption from tribute and provincial law. Paul founded this church around AD 49-50 (Acts 16:11-40), and wrote this letter from Roman imprisonment (c. AD 60-62), likely from Rome though some suggest Ephesus or Caesarea.

Questions for Reflection