1. Paul. The official designation is omitted, as in 1-and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon. It is not easy to explain the use or omission of the title apostle in all cases. Here, and in Phile- mon and 1 Thessalonians, its omission may be accounted for by the general, unofficial, personal, affectionate character of the let- ter. In 2 Corinthians and Galatians the reason for its use is apparent from the fact that Paul’s official authority had been as- sailed. But it is also omitted in 2 Thessalonians, which has an admonitory and rebuking character. Its use in the epistles to Timothy and Titus, private letters, is explained by the fact that Paul is addressing them not only as friends, but as pastors. In Romans, while there is no evidence of any challenge of his apostolic claims, there is an authoritative exposition of christian doctrine which appears to warrant the title.
Timothy. Associated with Paul as in the introductions to 2 Corinthians and the two Thessalonian epistles. Timothy as- sisted Paul in founding the Philippian church. Acts xvi. 1, 13; xvii. 14. Two visits of Timothy to Philippi are recorded, Acts xix. 22; xx. 3,4. He is evidently preparing for a third visit, see ch. ii. 19. His only part in this letter is his name in the salutation, and in ch. ii. 19.
To all the saints (7aow Tots dyiots). In Paul’s personal ad- dresses in this epistle the word all occurs nine times. It is sufficiently accounted for by the expansiveness of grateful christ- ian feeling which marks the entire letter, and it is doubtful
A414 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
whether it has any definite or conscious connection with the social rivalries hinted at in the epistle, and which call forth ex- hortations to unity, as if Paul were disclaiming all partisan feeling by the use of the term. For saznés, see on Col. i. 2; Rom. i. 7. The word is transferred from the Old Testament. The Israelites were called adysou holy, separated and consecrated, Exod.) xix, 6-sDents vires) xive2e2lGeans vile 15, 22. ete The christian Church has inherited the title and the privileges of the Jewish nation. Hence it is é9vos aysov a holy nation, 1 Pet. ii. 9. The term implies, but does not assert, actual, per- sonal sanctity. It is a social, not a personal epithet. See on Acts xxvi. 10.
Philippi. In Macedonia. Travellers by sea landed at Neap- olis, and then travelled ten miles to Philippi along the Via Egnatia, which traversed Macedonia from east to west. The site was originally occupied by a town called Datus or Datum, and was known as Avrenzdes from its numerous springs. It was called Philippi in honor of Philip of Macedon, who en- larged and fortified it. Its situation was important, command- ing the great high road between Europe and Asia. This fact led to its fortification by Philip, and made it, later, the scene of the decisive battle which resulted in the defeat of Brutus and Cassius. Its soil was productive and rich in mineral treas- ures, which had yielded a large revenue, but which, in Paui’s time, had apparently become exhausted.
Augustus planted at Philippi a colonza. See on Acts xvi. 12.* <A variety of national types assembled there—Greek, Ro- man, and Asiatic—representing different phases of philosophy, religion, and superstition. It was therefore an appropriate starting-point for the Gospel in Europe, a field in which it could demonstrate its power to deal with all differences of na- tion, faith, sex, and social standing. +
Bishops (émricKdrous). Lit., overseers. See on visitation, 1 Pet. ii. 12. The word was originally a secular title, designating
* See Gibbon’s ‘‘ Decline and Fall,” vol. i., ch. ii. ; and W. T. Arnold’s *‘ Roman Provincial Administration.” + See Lightfoot’s ‘‘ Introduction to the Epistle,” and Acts xvi.
Cu. 1] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 415
commissioners appointed to regulate a newly-acquired territory or acolony. It was also applied to magistrates who regulated the sale of provisions under the Romans. In the Septuagint it signifies inspectors, superintendents, taskmasters, see 2 Kings xi. 19; 2 Chron. xxxiv. 12, 17; or captains, presidents, Neh. xi. 9, 14, 22. In the apostolic writings it is synonymous with presbyter or elder ; and no official distinction of the episcopate as a distinct order of the ministry is recognized. Rev. has over- seers in margin.