Paul & Timothy, Grace and Peace

Paul, one of the greatest Christians ever, was used by God in the 1st century to start many churches and to write many of the epistles recorded in the Bible. Paul gave His life totally to the Lord and to the gospel. Timothy, Paul’s friend and coworker, loved and served the Lord with Paul for close to 18 years. Their relationship illustrates how we all need godly relationships in life. Now Paul and Timothy were bondservants, better translated as slaves. Jesus was their master, the best one they could have, and that we can have too. For only as we see ourselves as slaves of Christ can we be free from sin and truly love and serve Christ.

This letter is from Paul and Timothy "to all the saints” - the holy ones, the righteous ones. They were saints "in Christ Jesus.” Being in Christ means that we are spiritually identified with Christ, that we belong to Christ, that He knows us, that we are secure in Him, that we are united with Him, that we have a relationship with Him. Paul also addresses the overseers and deacons who are in Philippi.

Paul then speaks about grace and peace, a phrase that is found in every single one of Paul’s 13 letters. Now grace, an undeserved gift from God, is the divine power, blessing, goodness and favor of God, and is what we need to do all that God wants us to do. Romans 1:5; Romans 3:23-2; Romans 5:2; Romans 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 1:13; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 22:21