Final Greetings to the Philippians
4: 20-23
Final greetings to the Philippians DIG: Who are the kedoshim and the saints? What are doxologies a response to? What is the common, essential characteristic of all kedoshim/saints? Why is fellowship so important to the congregations of God? What is the joy of the holy ones? How high is your joy meter?
REFLECT: What are the one or two things that have really made an impact on your life after studying Philippians? What is one thing from this book that you want to apply to your life? Have you had the joy of leading someone to faith in Messiah? What unbeliever are you building a relationship with?
All of God’s people [here in Rome] send their greetings to you.
In this concluding portion of his letter to the Philippians, likely written in his own hand (cf. First Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17), Paul reminds them of their identification as God’s people. He describes the character, worship, fellowship, joy, and resource of God’s people.183
Paul now brings the letter to a close with a section of final greetings, a feature in most of his letters. But rather than mention specific individuals, the apostle greets all of the believers in Philippi (4:21-22a). Doing so likely stems from a combination of Paul’s close relationship with the Philippian church and his desire to promote unity within the body. Though Paul extends greetings from all the believers in Rome, he specifically singles out those of Caesar’s household (4:22b). Because of his house arrest, the Gospel had penetrated a segment of Roman society that otherwise probably could not have been reached. The apostle concludes the letter with a prayer that the grace of the Lord Yeshua Messiah would be with the Philippians (4:23), effectively framing the entire letter, like two book-ends, with the inclusion of God’s grace (1:2 and 4:23).
As brothers and sisters in the same spiritual family, maintaining relationships with other believers is an essential aspect of the holy ones of God. We gain encouragement in hearing how the good news of the grace of our Lord is transforming the lives of others. After all, the whole life as believers – past, present, and future – is shaped by the grace of God shown to us in Yeshua Messiah and mediated to us through the Spirit.184
The character of God’s people (4:21-22 CJB): God’s people . . . God’s people. Inherent in the definition of God’s people is the character of God’s people. In the TaNaKh they are referred to as kedoshim and in the B’rit Chadashah they are referred to as saints. Both terms can be translated set apart one, separated ones, sanctified ones, or perhaps best, holy ones, separated from sin to God for holy purposes. Greet each of God’s people in Messiah Yeshua. God’s people are in Messiah Yeshua. This reality is unique to Messianic Jews and Christians. Those who follow other religions don’t see themselves as being united with their deity, they merely follow his teachings. However, we do not just believe that Messiah lived, died, rose from the dead, and is coming again; we are also united with Him. We are in Him and He is in us (cf. Philippians 1:21 and 4:1; Romans 8:1 and 16:11-13; First Corinthians 1:30, 3:1, and 7:22; Second Corinthians 1:21 and 5:17; Colossians 1:2 and 4:7). Because of this reality, we can say with Paul: I have been crucified with Messiah; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20).
Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Yeshua Messiah has set us apart to God and makes us holy at the moment of salvation (Justification). This is our position in Messiah; but our practice is an entirely different matter. In contrast to our perfect position which never changes; because of our old sin nature inherited from Adam, our everyday experience can fluctuate with victories on one day and defeats on another as we are conformed into the image of Messiah (Sanctification). To the Corinthians Paul wrote: Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, they are a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (Second Corinthians 5:17 and 21). Baptism pictures our union with Messiah in His death, burial, and resurrection (see the commentary on Romans, to see link click Bp – The Messianic Mikvah). As a result, every believer is a kadosh/saint, because every believer is separated from sin to God through faith in Yeshua Messiah. By calling the Philippians kadoshim/saints, Paul reminded them that they must live holy lives.
The worship of God’s people (4:20): Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen (4:20 NIV). This exaltation of praise is a sample of the worship of God’s people. We are not people to be worshiped; we are people who worship. Worship defines the redeemed, and Paul began the concluding portion of Philippians with a doxology (a short, liturgical expression of praise and glory directed specifically to ADONAI). The English word doxology comes from two Greek words, doxa (glory) and logos (word). Thus, a doxology is a word about glory; it’s an outburst of praise that gives glory to God.
Doxologies in the Bible are appropriate responses to doctrinal truth. This one flowed from Paul’s joy over the magnificent truths he had been inspired by ADONAI to explain in this letter. True worship always flows from doctrinal truth. In the doxology in Romans 11:33-36, Paul rejoiced and praised God for the wonderful truths revealed in Romans Chapters 1-11. As he concluded Romans, Paul’s heart was still overflowing with praise for the marvelous truths it contained (Romans 16:25-27). In Ephesians, after three chapters of rich doctrinal truth, Paul, again, burst out in a doxology of praise and worship. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the congregations of God and in Messiah Yeshua to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21). The phrase forever and ever indicates the duration of our worship of ADONAI. The Greek text literally reads to the ages of the ages. Our worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will not be limited to this life, but will extend throughout eternity in heaven. To that truth Paul could only add Amen.
The fellowship of God’s people (4:21-22a): Greet each of God’s people in Messiah Yeshua. All of God’s people [here in Rome] send their greetings to you (4:21-22a CJB). As he closed his letter, Paul expressed his love for the members of the Philippian church and his concern for their spiritual well-being. His injunction was specifically for the leaders of the Philippian congregation (1:1), who would receive the letter from Epaphroditus (see Bd – Send Epaphroditus at Once). The apostle then asked them to greet the individual members on his behalf, and assure them of his love and concern for them. Paul’s concern for individuals reflected that of Yeshua. Even when surrounded by large crowds He was still aware of individuals and their needs (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Fh – Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman).
The fellowship of God’s people is a common bond of love without hierarchy. None of Paul’s more prominent co-laborers had appointed church titles for themselves. That they were uniquely gifted and used by ADONAI didn’t make them spiritually superior. In fact, Paul identified himself as the least of the apostles (First Corinthians 15:9), and as the foremost of sinners (First Timothy 1:15-16). They clearly understood the teaching of Yeshua on the equality of all believers. But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. With all due respect to earthly leaders, we ultimately have only one true Father in heaven. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and He is in heaven. Nor are you to be called leaders, for you have one Leader, the Messiah. Yes, there is a proper place for spiritual leaders and even for the use of the terms honor and respect, but arrogance must be guarded against. Those who are true disciples of Messiah will prove their leadership abilities by serving others. The greatest among you will be your servant. Yeshua assures the crowd that whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Mattityahu 23:8-12).
The wider circle of believers at Rome’s church also sent their greetings: All of God’s people send their greetings to you. Although they had different spiritual gifts, and different levels of faithfulness and spiritual maturity, they were spiritually equal to their more prominent brothers in the Lord. Using the metaphor of the human body, Paul stressed that point to the Corinthians (see the commentary on First Corinthians Cs – Interdependence, Not Independence). The sharing of a common, non-discriminating love bond and a mutual desire for each other’s spiritual well-being is an essential characteristic of all kedoshim/saints.
The joy of God’s people (4:22b): The greatest joy of believers is to see sinners to faith in Yeshua. In Luke 15, Messiah told two parables that illustrated salvation. The first told of a man who rejoiced at finding his lost sheep (see The Life of Christ Hs – The Parable of the Lost Sheep); the second told of a woman who rejoiced at finding her lost coin (see The Life of Christ Ht – The Parable of the Lost Coin). Both express the joy believers have at the salvation of lost sinners. Similarly when Paul and Barnabas describe in detail the conversion of the Gentiles [they brought] great joy to all of God’s people (Acts 15:3).
Paul’s reference to those in Caesar’s household was especially meaningful to the Philippians (4:22b CJB). Philippi was a Roman colony (Acts 16:12) and its citizens were Roman citizens (Acts 16:21). Because of their close ties with Rome, it is possible that the Philippians knew some of the members of Caesar’s household which included all those in his direct employ, both lowly slaves and high-ranking freemen. In today’s terminology, they were government workers. During his house arrest, Paul would have come into contact with many of them, and no doubt led many of them to a saving knowledge of Yeshua Messiah.
Some of the members of the imperial household, such as those of the praetorian (palace) guard (1:13a), were led to faith in Messiah by Paul. Others, however, were already believers before Paul would have come into contact with many of them. There is a striking parallel between the names Paul lists in Romans 16:8-15 and the names of members of Caesar’s household on lists dating from Paul’s time. Paul includes both groups, those saved through his ministry and those already believers, in his greetings from Caesar’s household. Both he and the Philippians were undoubtedly thrilled that the household of the pagan emperor had yielded up so many souls to the Kingdom of Messiah. The joy of the holy ones is always to see others rescued from the dark depths of sin and brought to salvation in Yeshua.
The resource of God’s people (4:23): The grace of the Lord Yeshua Messiah be with your spirit (4:23 CJB). Paul has now come full circle. He began this letter by wishing the Philippians grace (1:2), and he concludes the same way. The apostle ended all his letters by wishing God’s grace for their recipients (cf. Romans 16:24; First Corinthians 16:23; Second Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 6:24; Colossians 4:18; First Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15; and Philemon 25).
The resource all believers need most is the grace that comes from the Lord Yeshua Messiah. Grace is the unmerited favor or undeserved, benevolent love of God in Messiah that brought about our redemption (Ephesians 2:5 and 8; Romans 3:24; Second Timothy 1:9). ADONAI’s work of grace in our lives will continue until our glorification (see Bi – Pursuing the Prize). We are not only saved by grace, but we are also sustained by grace. We are governed by grace, strengthened by grace, sanctified by grace, and enabled by grace. We are constantly dependent on the forgiveness, comfort, peace, and joy that comes through God’s grace.
God’s sustaining grace comes to us through the Lord Yeshua Messiah. He is the theme of this letter, being mentioned almost forty times in its four chapters. Paul described himself as a servant of Messiah (1:1); he addressed the Philippians as kedoshim/saints in Messiah (1:1); his house arrest was for the cause of Messiah (1:13); for him to live was Messiah (1:21); and death ushered him into Messiah’s presence (1:23); he encouraged the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of Messiah (1:26) by having the attitude of Messiah (2:5); he called for them to glory in Messiah (3:3); he counted everything in the past as garbage in view of the riches he found in Messiah (3:8); he was saved by faith in Messiah (3:9); he eagerly awaited Messiah’s return (3:20); and had all his needs supplied by Messiah (4:19). Paul summed up our lives when he wrote: to live is Messiah and to die is gain (1:21).185
Dear Heavenly Father, praise You for Your great and awesome grace! Without your grace, I would have no means to ever enter heaven. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves – it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). You wisely turned Paul’s time of house arrest into a time when he could share the Gospel with a whole new audience- with some of the members of Caesar’s household. What joy and peace it brings to put Messiah as the #1 goal and focus in my life. Paul wisely summed up the very best thing that I should do with my life: to live is Messiah and to die is gain (1:21). To the One who sits at Your right hand. Amen
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