Philippians 1:1-6
1 “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.”
Grace to you and peace: Grace is central to Pauline theology. It is not simply a trendy movement to Paul; it is the heart of the Gospel. God’s grace in Christ leads to a peaceful relationship between believers and the Trinity. It was God’s grace, and this grace alone, that was Paul’s encouragement while he was in prison for the Gospel.
Participation in the Gospel: Paul is not speaking of mere intellectual belief in the Gospel. He is speaking of being immersed and enveloped in the Gospel. He is speaking of a deep and abiding reception of God’s grace in Christ. This participation was from the first day of belief and continues indefinitely because believers cannot lose their salvation.
He who began a good work: God’s work of salvation cannot be interrupted. There is no starting in Christ and then having God’s salvific work cease because of sin. This means that no sins committed and, as in the case of Paul, no earthly circumstances such as unjustifiable imprisonment, can stop God’s work within us. He will always continue to mature us despite our circumstances.
