Paul and Timothy in addressing the Philippians - referred
to themselves as SERVANTS
The Greek word rendered SERVANTS is "doulos",
which literally means a "BONDMAN", i.e. a SLAVE
This is in keeping with the theme of the epistle, which
is SERVICE - of which the SUPREME EXAMPLE is CHRIST, Who "took upon Him the form of a SERVANT" (Philippians 2:7)
Indeed, Paul and Timothy are presented as CHRIST-LIKE
EXAMPLES of SERVICE:
Paul speaks of himself being "OFFERED upon the SACRIFICE
and SERVICE" of the Philippians' faith (Philippians 2:17)
Paul referred MOST AFFECTIONATELY to Timothy as one who
"AS A SON WITH THE FATHER, he hath SERVED WITH ME in the gospel" (Philippians 2:22)
THREE GROUPINGS of people are addressed:
"SAINTS in Christ Jesus", i.e. ALL MEMBERS of
the Church at Philippi - in RECOGNITION of their "FELLOWSHIP in the gospel FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW"
(Philippians 1:5)
The Greek word is also rendered "OVERSEERS"
(Acts 20:28) and is associated with an OFFICE of GREAT RESPONSIBILITY (I Timothy 3:1)
- that of RULING in "the Church of God" (I Timothy 3:5)
These addressed individuals were those who Paul APPEALED
to for HELP in PRESERVING the UNITY within the ASSEMBLY (Philippians 4:2-3)
DEACONS (Greek, "diakonos")
This designation may be applied GENERALLY to those who
SERVE and MINISTER in ANY CAPACITY, e.g. "PHEBE OUR SISTER" (Romans 16:1), who Paul said was "a SUCCOURER (AIDER) of many, and of myself
also" (Romans 16:2)
It can also be used SPECIFICALLY in reference to "the
OFFICE of a DEACON" (I Timothy 3:10,13) associated with the GREAT RESPONSIBILITY of being "FAITHFUL IN
ALL THINGS" (I Timothy 3:11) as it pertains to "RULING ... WELL" (I Timothy 3:12)
No doubt, it is used here (Philippians 1:1) SPECIFICALLY concerning those who Paul referred to as "MY FELLOWLABOURERS"
(Philippians 4:3) having the REQUIRED INFLUENCE to "HELP THOSE ... WHO LABOURED
WITH ME in the gospel" (Philippians 4:3) and WHO WERE NOW DIVIDED (Philippians 4:2)
The DIVINE GREETING is from GOD THE FATHER and THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST - "for THOUGH ... there be GODS MANY, and LORDS MANY" (I Corinthians 8:5) - "there is BUT ONE GOD, THE FATHER OF WHOM ARE ALL things: and
ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM ARE ALL things" (I Corinthians 8:6)