Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.
Summary: This passage requires us to strap in for a linguistic roller coaster ride.
It would be easy to gloss over this sentence and instead look at the entire verse or even the next two verses. However, on close examination, there is a lot to chew on here.
When Paul says, “Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus,” what does he mean? There are several possibilities.
The first possibility is found in the “Easy-to-Read Version” of the Bible. They translate the Greek as follows:
“Give our greetings to God’s people there…”
This makes a lot of sense. When we read the text this way, Paul is saying that he wants his personal greeting given to every believer in Philippi. After all, the letter was written to the Philippians.
If we didn’t bother to consider other perspectives on the text, this would be a perfectly acceptable way of looking at Paul’s words.
So let’s look at the Amplified Bible. It says:
“Remember me to every saint in Christ Jesus.”
Looked at this way, Paul is asking the Philippians, and by extension us, to remember Paul to everyone who believes in Jesus. That is like saying, “Please tell every believer you meet that Paul is thinking of you and praying for you.”
The third possibility takes this one step further. The Common English Bible translates Paul’s words this way:
“Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.”
This can be taken to mean, “When you come across a believer, always greet them in the name of Christ Jesus.” It can also mean “Greet (some translations use the word “salute”) everyone who is a believer in Jesus.”
So which is it?
Does Paul want those who read the letter to greet the believers in Philippi?
Is he asking people to remember him to other believers?
Is Paul simply reminding us to greet or salute other believers in the name of Christ Jesus, or just greet those who believe in Christ Jesus?
Each of these possibilities has merit.
Certainly, the simplest solution is the most attractive – greet the other believers in Philippi. Yet, remembering Paul to other believers is a way of reminding people of the story of the Gospel and how it came to be carried to the Gentiles. Even greeting people in the name of Jesus makes sense, as does always giving a greeting to those who believe in Jesus.
I’ll leave it to you to decide what Paul means, but in the end, my guess is you will end up using it all of these ways.
Application: Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.
Food for Thought: Why do people sometimes not greet other believers in Jesus?
Hi All!
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Blessings & Happy New Year to all!
Why do people sometimes not greet other believers in Jesus?
There are a multitude of reasons which could possible be as innocent as being preoccupied with some personal issue. Or as stupid as thinking one’s self is spiritually above, beyond another person.
Or it could be a feeling of being offended by the other persons actions or words which leads to judging the other as not being a “good” Christian. “Not being worthy of my recognizing their existence.” If this was determined to be a good reason to avoid, or ignore another person, there would be no believers in this world.
Jesus speaks to all in Matthew 5:44-48 as He tells us we are to not only greet even those who persecute us but we are to express His love for all to them.
Matthew 5:44-48, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Believers remain on this earth to allow Jesus Christ minister to others as we allow Him to minister through us. It is not a job which we refuse when we sometimes in our human self judge another to be dirty or Icky,
We are not to judge, our calling is to live in humble obedience to His will, just as by His will being done in our past brought us to salvation.
Philippians 4:21, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
Thank you, Ron!
Your comment stands as a beautiful (and convicting!) testimony to the power of the Gospel and Christ’s love in our hearts.