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. 20.I am an ambassador in bonds (presbeu>w ejn aJlu>sei).The verb tobe an ambassador occurs only here and 2 Corinthians 5:20.See onPhilemon 9.In bonds, lit., in a chain: the particular word for thecoupling-chain by which he was bound to the hand of his guard.21.That ye also may know, etc.Compare Cicero to Atticus: Send ussome letter-carrier, that both you may know how it goes with us, and thatwe may know how you fare and what you are going to do (5:18).Tychicus.See on Colossians 4:7.A beloved brother.Rev., correctly, the beloved brother.Tychicus isreferred to as well known.24.In sincerity (ejn ajfqarsi>a|).Rev., correctly, in incorruptness: wholove Christ with an imperishable and incorruptible love. THEEPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANSCHAPTER 11.Paul.The official designation is omitted, as in 1 and 2 Thessaloniansand Philemon.It is not easy to explain the use or omission of the titleapostle in all cases.Here, and in Philemon and 1 Thessalonians, itsomission may be accounted for by the general, unofficial, personal,affectionate character of the letter.In 2 Corinthians and Galatians thereason for its use is apparent from the fact that Paul s official authorityhad been assailed.But it is also omitted in 2 Thessalonians, which has anadmonitory and rebuking character.Its use in the epistles to Timothy andTitus, private letters, is explained by the fact that Paul is addressing themnot only as friends, but as pastors.In Romans, while there is no evidenceof any challenge of his apostolic claims, there is an authoritative expositionof Christian doctrine which appears to warrant the title.Timothy.Associated with Paul as in the introductions to 2 Corinthiansand the two Thessalonian epistles.Timothy assisted Paul in founding thePhilippian church Acts 16:1, 13; 17:14.Two visits of Timothy to Philippiare recorded, Acts 19:22; 20:3, 4.He is evidently preparing for a thirdvisit, see ch.2:19.His only part in this letter is his name in the salutation,and in ch.2:19.To all the saints (pa~sin toi~v ajgi>oiv).In Paul s personal addresses inthis epistle the word all occurs nine times.It is sufficiently accounted forby the expansiveness of grateful christian feeling which marks the entireletter, and it is doubtful whether it has any definite or consciousconnection with the social rivalries hinted at in the epistle, and which callforth exhortations to unity, as if Paul were disclaiming all partisan feelingby the use of the term.For saints, see on Colossians 1:2; Romans 1:7.Theword is transferred from the Old Testament.The Israelites were calleda[gioi holy, separated and consecrated, Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6;14:2, 21; Daniel 7:18, 22, etc.The christian Church has inherited the title and the privileges of the Jewish nation.Hence it is e]qnov a[gion a holynation, 1 Peter 2:9.The term implies, but does not assert, actual, personalsanctity.It is a social, not a personal epithet.See on Acts 26:10.Philippi.In Macedonia.Travellers by sea landed at Neapolis, and thentravelled ten miles to Philippi along the Via Egnatia, which traversedMacedonia from east to west.The site was originally occupied by a towncalled Datus or Datum, and was known as Krenides from its numeroussprings.It was called Philippi in honor of Philip of Macedon, who enlargedand fortified it.Its situation was important, commanding the great highroad between Europe and Asia.This fact led to its fortification by Philip,and made it, later, the scene of the decisive battle which resulted in thedefeat of Brutus and Cassius.Its soil was productive and rich in mineraltreasures, which had yielded a large revenue, but which, in Paul s time, hadapparently become exhausted.Augustus planted at Philippi a colonia.See on Acts 16:12.172 A varietyof national types assembled there Greek, Roman, and Asiatic representing different phases of philosophy, religion, and superstition.Itwas therefore an appropriate starting-point for the Gospel in Europe, afield in which it could demonstrate its power to deal with all differences ofnation, faith, sex, and social standing.173Bishops (ejpisko>poiv).Lit., overseers.See on visitation, 1 Peter 2:12.The word was originally a secular title, designating commissionersappointed to regulate a newly-acquired territory or a colony.It was alsoapplied to magistrates who regulated the sale of provisions under theRomans.In the Septuagint it signifies inspectors, superintendents,taskmasters, see 2 Kings 11:19; 2 Chronicles 34:12, 17; or captains,presidents, Nehemiah 11:9, 14, 22.In the apostolic writings it issynonymous with presbyter or elder; and no official distinction of theepiscopate as a distinct order of the ministry is recognized.Rev.hasoverseers in margin.Deacons (diako>noiv).The word means servant, and is a general termcovering both slaves and hired servants.It is thus distinct from dou~lovbond-servant.It represents a servant, not in his relation, but in hisactivity
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