Note 1 at Phil. 1:1: Although Timothy's name is used with the apostle Paul's as a fellow sender of this letter, Timothy is probably not a co-author. Throughout this letter, when Timothy is mentioned, he is spoken of in the third person (Phil. 2:19-24). Paul was the author and he simply included Timothy in the greeting because Timothy had ministered with him in Philippi and knew these people (see note 1 at Acts 16:1, p. 665).

Note 2 at Phil. 1:1: Paul opens this letter, not with a list of all his accomplishments and virtues, but by identifying himself as a slave of Jesus Christ (Gk.-DOULOS-see note 1 at Rom. 1:1, p. 740). A carnal man uses his resume to impress others and open doors. A godly man is not out to impress others with himself but with who his master is. Paul was more proud of his Master than he was of his service to his Master.

Yet Paul was quick to notice the position of "saints" that Jesus had elevated the Philippians to. Every believer has been made a saint through what Jesus did for us (see note 5 at Acts 9:13, p. 624), but not every saint has become a slave. Slavery to Christ is our "reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1) but it is voluntary. Faith in Christ as Savior is essential for salvation, and submission to Christ as Lord is essential for victory and true joy in this life.

Note 3 at Phil. 1:1: Paul mentions two special groups of people in this verse: bishops and deacons. The word "bishop" is derived from the Greek word EPISKOPOS, and is also translated "overseer" (Acts 20:28). The word deacon (Gk.-DIAKONOS) is probably derived from the Greek word DIAKO, which meant to run errands. The KJV translates deacon elsewhere as "servant" (Mt. 22:13; 23:11, Mk. 9:35, Jn. 2:5, 9; 12:26, Rom. 16:1, 27) and "minister" (Mt. 20:26, Mk. 10:43, Rom. 13:4; 15:8, 1 Cor. 3:5, 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23, Gal. 2:17, Eph. 3:7; 6:21, Col. 1:7, 23, 25, 4:7, 1 Th. 3:2, 1 Tim. 4:6).

The early New Testament church was organized. The "bishop" and the "deacon" were leadership positions.

Note 4 at Phil. 1:1: The bishops and deacons were the leadership of the church at Philippi. Yet notice that those outside of leadership were called saints. This clearly identifies every believer as a saint (see ref. d at this verse). There is no scriptural basis for elevating just a few Christians to an elite status of sainthood.