Reference: Philippians, Epistle To
Easton
was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in Rome (Php 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61.
The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle; and on his return Paul sent back with him this letter. With this precious communication Epaphroditus sets out on his homeward journey. "The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the church of Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the church itself passes from our view. To-day, in silent meadows, quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation the letter written in a dungeon at Rome, and carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light divine and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths of life" (Professor Beet).
The church at Philippi was the first-fruits of European Christianity. Their attachment to the apostle was very fervent, and so also was his affection for them. They alone of all the churches helped him by their contributions, which he gratefully acknowledges (Ac 20:33-35; 2Co 11:7-12; 2Th 3:8). The pecuniary liberality of the Philippians comes out very conspicuously (Php 4:15). "This was a characteristic of the Macedonian missions, as 2Co 8 and 2Co 9 amply and beautifully prove. It is remarkable that the Macedonian converts were, as a class, very poor (2Co 8:2); and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed support of the great missionary and his work, are deeply harmonious. At the present day the missionary liberality of poor Christians is, in proportion, really greater than that of the rich" (Moule's Philippians, Introd.).
The contents of this epistle give an interesting insight into the condition of the church at Rome at the time it was written. Paul's imprisonment, we are informed, was no hindrance to his preaching the gospel, but rather "turned out to the furtherance of the gospel." The gospel spread very extensively among the Roman soldiers, with whom he was in constant contact, and the Christians grew into a "vast multitude." It is plain that Christianity was at this time making rapid advancement in Rome.
The doctrinal statements of this epistle bear a close relation to those of the Epistle to the Romans. Compare also Php 3:20 with Eph 2:12,19, where the church is presented under the idea of a city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's writings. The personal glory of Christ is also set forth in almost parallel forms of expression in Php 2:5-11, compared with Eph 1:17-23; 2:8; and Col 1:15-20. "This exposition of the grace and wonder of His personal majesty, personal self-abasement, and personal exaltation after it," found in these epistles, "is, in a great measure, a new development in the revelations given through St. Paul" (Moule). Other minuter analogies in forms of expression and of thought are also found in these epistles of the Captivity.
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I have never coveted anyone's gold or silver or clothes. You know well enough that these hands of mine provided for my needs and my companions. read more. I showed you in every way that by hard work like that we must help those who are weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, for he said, 'It makes one happier to give than to be given to.' "
for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, grant you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation through the knowledge of himself, enlightening the eyes of your mind so that you may know what the hope is to which he calls you, and how gloriously rich his inheritance is among God's people, read more. and how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe; like the mighty strength he exerted in raising Christ from the dead, and seating him at his right hand in heaven, far above all hierarchies, authorities, powers, and dominions, and all titles that can be bestowed not only in this world but in the world to come. He has put everything under his feet and made him the indisputable head of the church, which is his body, filled by him who fills everything everywhere.
For it is by his mercy that you have been saved through faith. It is not by your own action, it is the gift of God.
At that time you had no connection with Christ, you were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the agreements about God's promise; with no hope and no God in all the world.
So you are no longer foreigners or strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of his family.
And I have a right to feel in this way about you all, because both when I am in prison and when I am defending and vindicating our right to preach the good news, I have you in my heart as all sharing that privilege with me. For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself. read more. And it is my prayer that your love may grow richer and richer in knowledge and perfect insight, so that you may have a sense of what is vital, and may be men of transparent character and blameless life, in preparation for the Day of Christ, with your lives filled with the fruits which uprightness produces through Jesus Christ, to the honor and praise of God. Now I want to assure you, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in furthering the preaching of the good news. Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison,
Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he possessed the nature of God, he did not grasp at equality with God, read more. but laid it aside to take on the nature of a slave and become like other men. When he had assumed human form, he still further humbled himself and carried his obedience so far as to die, and to die upon the cross. That is why God has so greatly exalted him, and given him the name above all others, so that in the name of Jesus everyone should kneel, in heaven and on earth and in the underworld, and everyone should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, and thus glorify God the Father.
But the commonwealth to which we belong is in heaven, and from it we are eagerly awaiting the coming of a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
And you at Philippi know as well as I do, that in the early days of the good news, after I left Macedonia, no church but yours went into partnership and opened an account with me.
He is a likeness of the unseen God, born before any creature, for it was through him that everything was created in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen, angelic thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities??ll things were created through him and for him. read more. He existed before all things and he sustains and embraces them all. He is the head of the church, it is his body; for he is the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead??hat he might come to stand first in everything. For all the divine fulness chose to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to God all things on earth or in heaven, making this peace through his blood shed on the cross.
Hastings
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO
1. The Church of Philippi.
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From there we went to Philippi, a Roman garrison town, and the principal place in that part of Macedonia. In this town we stayed for some days.
From there we went to Philippi, a Roman garrison town, and the principal place in that part of Macedonia. In this town we stayed for some days. On the Sabbath we went outside the gates, to the bank of the river where we supposed there was a praying place, and we sat down and talked with the women who gathered there. read more. One of our hearers was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple goods, from the town of Thyatira. She was a believer in God, and the Lord touched her heart, and led her to accept Paul's teaching. When she and her household were baptized, she appealed to us, and said, "If you are really convinced that I am a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she insisted upon our coming. Once as we were on our way to the praying place a slave-girl met us who had the gift of ventriloquism, and made her masters a great deal of money by her fortune-telling. This girl would follow Paul and the rest of us, crying out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, and they are making known to you a way of salvation." She did this for a number of days, until Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit in her, "In the name of Jesus Christ I order you to come out of her!" And it came out instantly. But when her masters saw that their hopes of profits were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the public square, to the authorities, and brought them before the chief magistrates. "These men," they said, "are Jews, and they are making a great disturbance in our town. They are advocating practices which it is against the law for us as Romans to adopt or observe." The crowd also joined in the attack on them, and the magistrates had them stripped and beaten. After beating them severely, they put them in jail, and gave the jailer orders to keep close watch of them. He, having had such strict orders, put them into the inner cell, and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was such an earthquake that the jail shook to its foundations; all the doors flew open, and everybody's chains were unfastened. It woke up the jailer, and when he saw that the doors of the jail were open, he drew his sword and was just going to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted out, "Do not do yourself any harm! We are all here!" Then he called for lights and rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and said to them, "Gentlemen, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe in the Lord Jesus," they said, "and you and your household will be saved!" Then they told God's message to him and to all the members of his household. And right then in the night, he took them and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptized immediately. Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God. In the morning the magistrates sent policemen with instructions to let the men go. The jailer reported this message to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent orders that you are to be released. So you can take your leave and go unmolested." But Paul said to them, "They had us beaten in public without giving us a trial, and put us in jail, although we are Roman citizens! And now are they going to dismiss us secretly? By no means! Have them come here themselves and take us out!" The policemen delivered this message to the magistrates, and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Roman citizens, and came and conciliated them, and took them out of the jail, and begged them to leave the town. After leaving the jail they went to Lydia's house, and saw the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left the town.
while we sailed from Philippi after the festival of Unleavened Bread, and joined them at Troas five days later. There we stayed a week.
Paul said in his own defense, "I have committed no offense against the Jewish Law or the Temple or the emperor."
for in spite of a severe ordeal of trouble, their extraordinary gladness, combined with their extreme poverty, has overflowed in a wealth of generosity.
You know how gracious the Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was rich, he became poor for your sake, in order that by his poverty you might become rich.
Do you think that I did wrong in degrading myself to uplift you, because I preached God's good news to you without any compensation?
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the devoted adherents of Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the superintendents and assistants;
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the devoted adherents of Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the superintendents and assistants; God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace. read more. I never think of you without thanking my God,
I never think of you without thanking my God, and always whenever I pray for you all I do it with joy,
and always whenever I pray for you all I do it with joy, over your co-operation in the good news from the day you first received it until now.
over your co-operation in the good news from the day you first received it until now. For I am certain that he who has begun the good work in you will finish it for the Day of Jesus Christ.
For I am certain that he who has begun the good work in you will finish it for the Day of Jesus Christ. And I have a right to feel in this way about you all, because both when I am in prison and when I am defending and vindicating our right to preach the good news, I have you in my heart as all sharing that privilege with me.
And I have a right to feel in this way about you all, because both when I am in prison and when I am defending and vindicating our right to preach the good news, I have you in my heart as all sharing that privilege with me.
And I have a right to feel in this way about you all, because both when I am in prison and when I am defending and vindicating our right to preach the good news, I have you in my heart as all sharing that privilege with me. For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself.
For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus himself. And it is my prayer that your love may grow richer and richer in knowledge and perfect insight, read more. so that you may have a sense of what is vital, and may be men of transparent character and blameless life, in preparation for the Day of Christ, with your lives filled with the fruits which uprightness produces through Jesus Christ, to the honor and praise of God. Now I want to assure you, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in furthering the preaching of the good news.
Now I want to assure you, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in furthering the preaching of the good news. Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison,
Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison,
Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison,
Thus it is generally known throughout the Imperial Guard and elsewhere that it is for the sake of Christ that I am in prison, and so most of the Christian brothers have been exceedingly encouraged by my example to declare God's message without any fear of the consequences.
and so most of the Christian brothers have been exceedingly encouraged by my example to declare God's message without any fear of the consequences.
and so most of the Christian brothers have been exceedingly encouraged by my example to declare God's message without any fear of the consequences. Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching the Christ from jealousy and partisanship, but there are others who are doing it out of good-will.
Some of them, it is true, are actually preaching the Christ from jealousy and partisanship, but there are others who are doing it out of good-will. These latter do it from love for me, for they know that God has put me where I am to defend our right to preach the good news.
These latter do it from love for me, for they know that God has put me where I am to defend our right to preach the good news. But the others are preaching the Christ not sincerely but for their own ends, imagining that they are making my imprisonment harder to bear.
But the others are preaching the Christ not sincerely but for their own ends, imagining that they are making my imprisonment harder to bear.
But the others are preaching the Christ not sincerely but for their own ends, imagining that they are making my imprisonment harder to bear. But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad,
But what difference does it make? All that matters is that, in one way or another, from false motives or honest ones, Christ is being made known; I am glad of that. Yes, and I expect to be glad, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will turn out for my highest welfare,
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all this will turn out for my highest welfare, for I eagerly and confidently hope that I shall never disgrace myself but that this time as always hitherto, living or dying, I shall do Christ credit by my unfailing courage.
for I eagerly and confidently hope that I shall never disgrace myself but that this time as always hitherto, living or dying, I shall do Christ credit by my unfailing courage. For, as I see it, living means Christ and dying something even better.
For, as I see it, living means Christ and dying something even better. But if living on here means having my labor bear fruit, I cannot tell which to choose.
But if living on here means having my labor bear fruit, I cannot tell which to choose. I am undecided between the two, for I long to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better,
I am undecided between the two, for I long to depart and be with Christ, for that is far, far better, and yet your needs make it very necessary for me to stay on here.
and yet your needs make it very necessary for me to stay on here. I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith.
I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith.
I am convinced of this, and so I know that I shall stay on and serve you all, to help you to develop and to be glad in your faith. So you will find in me fresh cause for Christian exultation, through having me with you again.
So you will find in me fresh cause for Christian exultation, through having me with you again. Whatever happens, show yourselves citizens worthy of the good news of the Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am kept away and only hear news of you, I may know that you are standing firm with one spirit, one purpose, fighting side by side for faith in the good news.
Whatever happens, show yourselves citizens worthy of the good news of the Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am kept away and only hear news of you, I may know that you are standing firm with one spirit, one purpose, fighting side by side for faith in the good news. Never for a moment falter before your opponents, for your fearlessness will be a sure sign for them of their coming destruction, but to you it will be an omen, from God himself, of your deliverance. read more. For you have been granted the privilege not only of trusting in Christ but of suffering for him. Take your part in the same struggle that you have seen me engage in and that you hear I am still keeping up.
So by whatever appeal there is in our relation to Christ, by whatever incentive there is in love, by whatever participation there is in the Spirit, whatever affection and sympathy, make me perfectly happy by living in harmony, with the same attitude of love, with the same feeling and purpose. read more. Do not act for selfish ends or from vanity, but modestly treat one another as your superiors. Do not take account of your own interests, but of the interests of others as well. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he possessed the nature of God, he did not grasp at equality with God,
Though he possessed the nature of God, he did not grasp at equality with God, but laid it aside to take on the nature of a slave and become like other men.
but laid it aside to take on the nature of a slave and become like other men. When he had assumed human form, he still further humbled himself and carried his obedience so far as to die, and to die upon the cross.
When he had assumed human form, he still further humbled himself and carried his obedience so far as to die, and to die upon the cross. That is why God has so greatly exalted him, and given him the name above all others,
That is why God has so greatly exalted him, and given him the name above all others, so that in the name of Jesus everyone should kneel, in heaven and on earth and in the underworld,
so that in the name of Jesus everyone should kneel, in heaven and on earth and in the underworld, and everyone should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, and thus glorify God the Father.
and everyone should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, and thus glorify God the Father.
so that you will be blameless and honest, faultless children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted age, in which you appear like stars in a dark world, offering men the message of life. Then I will have reason to boast of you on the Day of Christ, because my exertion and labor have not been wasted.
just as you must be glad and congratulate me. I hope, with the help of the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I, too, may be cheered by having news about you. read more. For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you.
For I have no one like him who would take such a real interest in you. For they are all looking out for their own interests, not for those of Jesus Christ.
For they are all looking out for their own interests, not for those of Jesus Christ. But you know his character, and how like a son helping his father he has worked like a slave with me in preaching the good news. read more. So I hope to send him to you just as soon as I can see how my case is going to turn out. I trust the Lord to enable me to come to you myself before long. But I feel that I must send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, whom you sent to look after my needs.
But I feel that I must send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, whom you sent to look after my needs. For he has been longing to see you all, and has been greatly distressed because you heard that he was sick.
For he has been longing to see you all, and has been greatly distressed because you heard that he was sick. For he was sick, and nearly died, but God took pity on him, and not only on him, but on me, to save me from having one sorrow after another.
For he was sick, and nearly died, but God took pity on him, and not only on him, but on me, to save me from having one sorrow after another. So I am all the more eager to send him, so that you may have the pleasure of seeing him again, and I may feel more relieved.
So I am all the more eager to send him, so that you may have the pleasure of seeing him again, and I may feel more relieved. So give him a hearty Christian welcome, and value men like him very highly,
So give him a hearty Christian welcome, and value men like him very highly, for he came near dying for the Lord's work, and risked his life to make up for what was lacking in the service you have done me.
for he came near dying for the Lord's work, and risked his life to make up for what was lacking in the service you have done me.
Now, my brothers, goodbye, and the Lord be with you. I do not mind writing the same thing over and over to you; it is necessary for your safety.
Now, my brothers, goodbye, and the Lord be with you. I do not mind writing the same thing over and over to you; it is necessary for your safety.
Now, my brothers, goodbye, and the Lord be with you. I do not mind writing the same thing over and over to you; it is necessary for your safety. Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
Look out for those dogs, those mischief-makers, with their amputation!
Why, I count everything as loss compared with the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost everything, and think it rubbish, in order to gain Christ and be known to be united to him, with any uprightness I may have not based on law but coming through faith in Christ??he uprightness that comes from God through faith. read more. I want to know him in the power of resurrection, and to share his sufferings and even his death, in the hope of attaining resurrection from the dead.
Follow my example, brothers, all of you, and notice those who follow the pattern we have set you. For there are many who live, as I have often told you, and tell you now with tears, like enemies of the cross of Christ.
But the commonwealth to which we belong is in heaven, and from it we are eagerly awaiting the coming of a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will make our poor bodies over to resemble his glorious body, by exerting the power he has to subject everything to himself.
So, my dear brothers whom I so long to see, my joy and pride, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
So, my dear brothers whom I so long to see, my joy and pride, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree together, as Christians.
I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree together, as Christians.
I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree together, as Christians. And I beg you, my true comrade, help them, for they toiled at my side in spreading the good news, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
And I beg you, my true comrade, help them, for they toiled at my side in spreading the good news, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
And I beg you, my true comrade, help them, for they toiled at my side in spreading the good news, with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Goodbye, and the Lord be with you always. Again I say, goodbye.
Goodbye, and the Lord be with you always. Again I say, goodbye. Let all men see your forbearing spirit. The Lord is coming soon.
Let all men see your forbearing spirit. The Lord is coming soon. Have no anxiety about anything, but make all your wants known to God in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving.
Have no anxiety about anything, but make all your wants known to God in prayer and entreaty, and with thanksgiving. Then, through your union with Christ Jesus, the peace of God, so far above any human thought, will guard your minds and thoughts.
Then, through your union with Christ Jesus, the peace of God, so far above any human thought, will guard your minds and thoughts. Now, brothers, let your minds dwell on what is true, what is worthy, what is right, what is pure, what is amiable, what is kindly??n everything that is excellent or praiseworthy.
Now, brothers, let your minds dwell on what is true, what is worthy, what is right, what is pure, what is amiable, what is kindly??n everything that is excellent or praiseworthy.
Now, brothers, let your minds dwell on what is true, what is worthy, what is right, what is pure, what is amiable, what is kindly??n everything that is excellent or praiseworthy. Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you.
Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you.
Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you.
Do the things that you learned, received, and heard from me, and that you saw me do. Then God who gives peace will be with you. I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it.
I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it.
I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it.
I was very glad, as a Christian, to have your interest in me revive again after so long; for you have always been interested, but you have had no opportunity to show it. Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in.
Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in.
Not that I have anything to complain of, for I have learned how to be contented with the condition I am in. I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without.
I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without.
I know how to live humbly and I know how to enjoy plenty. I have learned the secret, in any and all conditions, of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of going without. I can do anything through him who gives me strength.
I can do anything through him who gives me strength. But it was very kind of you to share my difficulties.
But it was very kind of you to share my difficulties. And you at Philippi know as well as I do, that in the early days of the good news, after I left Macedonia, no church but yours went into partnership and opened an account with me.
And you at Philippi know as well as I do, that in the early days of the good news, after I left Macedonia, no church but yours went into partnership and opened an account with me. Even when I was at Thessalonica you sent money more than once for my needs.
Even when I was at Thessalonica you sent money more than once for my needs.
Even when I was at Thessalonica you sent money more than once for my needs. Not that I want your gifts, but I want you to have the profits that will accumulate to your credit.
Not that I want your gifts, but I want you to have the profits that will accumulate to your credit. You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves.
You have paid me in full, and more too. I am fully supplied with what I have received from you through Epaphroditus. It is like fragrant incense, just such a sacrifice as God welcomes and approves. My God will gloriously supply all your needs with his wealth, through your union with Christ Jesus.
My God will gloriously supply all your needs with his wealth, through your union with Christ Jesus. Glory to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen. read more. Remember me to all my fellow-Christians. The brothers who are with me wish to be remembered to you. All God's people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor's household.
All God's people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor's household.
All God's people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor's household.
All God's people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor's household. The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.
Yes, you who were dead through your misdeeds and physically uncircumcised, God raised to life with Christ. He forgave us all our misdeeds,
Our dear brother Tychicus, my faithful helper and fellow-servant in the Lord's work, will tell you all about me.