Philippians 1:1 – Three Minute Bible

May 3, 2025May 4, 2025

Philippians 1:1c – Church Leaders

Graphic of an "org chart" for church leadership (Grok)

… together with the overseers and deacons:

Summary: This letter is unique because the introduction includes “overseers and deacons.” Their presence in the letter’s opening lines gives us an opportunity to explore who these people are.

In some ways, Paul’s letter to the Philippians is unique. Like his other letters, Paul expounds on the love of Christ and the heart of the Gospel. Unlike his other letters, he singles out “overseers and deacons” in his greeting.

Why is this important?

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025

Philippians 1:1b – Vine and Branch

Picture of grapevine and branches with grapes (Pixabay)

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi…

Summary: God’s people are special because they are family.

If you had to pick one person to act as the key spokesman for introducing Christianity to the Gentile world, it is hard to imagine someone better suited to the job than Paul.

Paul’s expertise as a Pharisee gives him extensive knowledge, not only of the history of Jewish traditions and laws, but the theology, or academic underpinnings, behind those laws. Paul understands the heart of Judaism.

May 1, 2025May 1, 2025

Philippians 1:1a – One Voice

Picture of an old fashioned family album (Grok)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus…

Summary: As we begin our meditations on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are prompted to reflect on God’s Word as his family album.

I often think of the Bible as God’s family album. Even without pictures, the Bible includes “portraits” of people who are important to God and who are part of his story.

Of course, we are all important to God! He loves us without a doubt! Yet, some people play a more prominent role than others (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).