Matthew Henry Commentary Philippians 1:1-7

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace." — Philippians 1:1-7 (ASV)

The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is to be servants of Christ. And those who are not truly saints on earth will never be saints in heaven. Apart from Christ, the best saints are sinners and unable to stand before God. There is no peace without grace.

Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was mistreated and saw little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for the graces and comforts, gifts, and usefulness of others, since we receive the benefit and God receives the glory.

The work of grace will never be perfected until the day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may always be confident God will perform his good work in every soul in which he has truly begun it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward appearances, nor in anything but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to their ministers when they receive benefit by their ministry.

Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear to one another.