Philippians 4:21-23 (ESV)
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. v.22
Especially those of Caesar’s household. “Not members of the imperial family, but some connected with the imperial establishment. The term can apply to slaves and freedmen and even to the highest functionaries. Christianity has begun to undermine the throne of the Caesars. Some day a Christian will sit on this throne. The gospel works upward from the lower classes. It was so at Corinth and in Rome. It is true today. It is doubtful if Nero had yet heard of Paul for his case may have been dismissed by lapse of time.” – A.T. Robertson
But this obscure prisoner who has planted the gospel in Caesar’s household has won more eternal fame and power than all the Caesars combined.
a. t. robertson – Word Pictures in the New Testasment
‘Nero will commit suicide shortly after Paul has been executed. Nero’s star went down and Paul’s rose and rises still.” – A.T. Robertson
Matthew Henry (1662 – 1714) writes: Paul sends salutations from those who were at Rome: “The brethren who are with me salute you; the ministers, and all the saints here, send their affectionate remembrances to you. Chiefly those who are of Caesar’s household; the Christian converts who belonged to the emperor’s court.” Observe, (1.) There were saints in Caesar’s household. Though Paul was imprisoned at Rome, for preaching the gospel, by the emperor’s command, yet there were some Christians in his own family. The gospel early obtained among some of the rich and great. Perhaps the apostle fared the better, and received some favour, by means of his friends at court. (2.) Chiefly those, etc. Observe, They, being bred at court, were more complaisant than the rest. See what an ornament to religion sanctified civility is.
“Paul’s greeting would impress his readers: his imprisonment has indeed advanced the gospel” (Philippians 1:12–13). – Intervarsity Press
Those who belong to Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22) were probably those who had come to Christ as a result of Paul’s house arrest. They probably included soldiers and relatives of Caesar’s household. No wonder Paul could say that what had happened to him had advanced the gospel (Philippians 1:12). – Bible Knowledge Commentary
As we say Goodbye, Philippi we remember. “Paul doesn’t tell us that we can be happy, or how to be happy. He simply and unmistakably is happy. None of his circumstances contribute to his joy: He wrote from a jail cell, his work was under attack by competitors, and after twenty years or so of hard traveling in the service of Jesus, he was tired and would have welcomed some relief.” – The Message Intro to Philippians
But circumstances are incidental compared to the life of Jesus, the Messiah, that Paul experiences from his inner life.
The Message Introduction to philippians
“For it is a life that not only happened at a certain point in history, but continues to happen, spilling out into the lives of those who receive him, and then continues to spill out all over the place. Christ is, among much else, the revelation that God cannot be contained or hoarded. It is this “spilling out” quality of Christ’s life that accounts for the happiness of Christians, for joy is life in excess, the overflow of what cannot be contained within any one person.” – The Message Intro to Philippians
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Verse 23 – paul’s benediction
Let’s go out and Give’m Heaven!
Your brother,
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