Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul And The PhilippiansSample

Salutation: Philippians 1:1-2

The salutation in 1:1-2 identifies Paul as the primary author of the letter and states that the letter also comes from Timothy. Throughout this letter, Paul consistently referred to himself in the singular using the words such as “I” rather than “we.” And in Philippians 2:19 and 22 he referred to Timothy in the third person.

The salutation of Philippians is somewhat different from those in most of Paul’s other letters because it does not mention Paul’s apostleship. Only 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon share this distinction. But all three of these other letters do mention Paul’s apostolic authority outside their salutations. Only in Philippians do we find an entire letter in which Paul never calls explicit attention to his apostolic authority.

Now, this does not imply that Paul’s letter to the Philippians lacks apostolic authority. Rather, it is a testimony to his relationship with the Philippians, to their high regard for Paul, and to their eagerness to please the Lord. Not once did Paul have to remind them of his office and authority.

Following the salutation, Paul moves to a section of thanksgiving in 1:3-8. This move from salutation to thanksgiving is consistent with the form Paul followed in most of his other canonical letters, Galatians and Titus being the only exceptions.