In this final paragraph of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he gives some final greetings and encouragement to the church he loves dearly.

You can see his final thoughts to them in Philippians 4:21-23:

This is the final paragraph of Paul’s encouraging letter to the church in Philippi.

This greeting comes from four individuals or groups of people, and is given to two different groups of people.

In Paul’s final greeting, he lists those who extend the greeting, becoming more specific with each addition. First of all, and most obviously, Paul himself greets the believers in the Philippian church. Next, the brothers with him send greetings. Other than Timothy, we don’t know who this might have included. Third, all the saints send greetings. And finally, especially those of Caesar’s household. This shows Paul is continuing to be influential with the message of the gospel, even though he is imprisoned.

Next, this greeting is addressed to two different groups: the Philippian believers, who were the primary recipients of Paul’s letter, and also to all the saints. Paul’s greeting is very inclusive of the whole Christian community in Philippi, as he has been throughout the letter. Even though he has had to address a few individuals specifically, he makes sure the whole church in that city is encouraged.

Paul probably wrote this portion of the letter by hand himself. Most of Paul’s letters were likely written by a scribe, as he dictated his words. But Paul personally signed several of his letters like this (1 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians).

Paul also mentions that there are now believers in the household of Caesar. This could mean personal family members of Nero, but is more likely to mean some of the imperial staff or servants, possibly even slaves. Regardless, his passing comment here shows just how pervasive the gospel message can be, spreading from his prison cell to members of the household of the most powerful man in the world at the time.

Finally, Paul closes this letter out with a familiar expression of favor and grace. His closing wish is that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ fall upon their spirits. This idea permeates throughout the entire letter, and Paul desires that this grace be the theme of the lives of each individual Philippian believer. This extends to you and I as well.

This final though carries the weight of a prayer for the Philippians, and Paul aptly ends his letter with a final “Amen.” Though many modern translations drop this, it is a fitting ending. This final ending bestows grace upon them, bookending nicely with the opening, where Paul begins with this same grace.

May that same grace fall upon us as well.

Question: Who do you need to extend grace to? Do you even think about it, as Paul does in both the beginning and ending of this letter? You can leave a comment by clicking here.