Philippians 1:1-3 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi… Lessons taught by the commencement of the gospel here. 1. To secure the widest diffusion of the gospel, great centres should be the first places chosen for the concentration of its forces. 2. The gospel of universal adaptation has a worldwide mission (Romans 1:15, 16). The three first converts embraced different nationalities, employments, social grades. They were Lydia, the Oriental trader; the Grecian female slave and soothsayer; the Roman "keeper of the prison." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Christ has demolished all barriers to the exercise of Divine mercy. 3. The duty and privilege of Christian parents to consecrate their children and home to Christ (Acts 16:15, 33, 34, 40). 4. Civic distinctions, subordinated to Christ, will further the gospel and adorn the Christian name. Paul's Roman citizenship gained his freedom and silenced his enemies. 5. His chain connects the history of Rome and Philippi. 6. The Christian's spirit can defy "the inner prison" to suppress its praise or prayer (Acts 16:25). (G. C. Ballard.) Parallel Verses 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: |
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