Humble Saints

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1-2).

Daily editions of Wilderness Wanderings are back for the months of June and July. At Immanuel, we have hired Kyra Schat to work as a pastoral intern for these months, and she and I will reflect on the letter to the Philippians. Here is a meditation on the opening verses.

In ancient days, there was a standard pattern used to begin a letter. Paul used that formula, making slight modifications whereby he offered hints of the issues to be addressed. In these opening verses, there are two things to note: the phrases, “servants of Christ Jesus” and, “holy people” (or saints).

Paul uses the first phrase to describe himself and Timothy. The word servant, better rendered as slave. There is an unmistakable undertone of humility and submission in this self-description. Paul, nearing the end of his life, has served many years as an apostle, planted numerous churches, and in other letters heaped up his credentials. But here he willingly names himself a slave of Jesus Christ; nothing more.

He models a humility which later he will urge the Philippians to follow. Although Paul is God’s apostle, set apart and called by God to his task (Gal. 1:1, 15), and although Timothy is an approved co-worker with Paul in this important service (Phil. 2:22), Paul refuses to mention these high qualifications. Instead, he emphasizes their common role as slaves of Christ Jesus. On the other hand, he gives the leaders of the Philippian church their appropriate titles of dignity. In this small way, he shows concern not for his own interests but for the interests of others (cf. 2:4).

This stands as an example for all Christians and particularly for church leaders. Life in the church is not about advancement, nor the gathering of titles and honours. Not then, and not now. In our churches, the difference between elders, deacons and pastors is not one of status. None of us should minimize our place in the church because of our role; nor should we seek applause or honours.

He names the Christians “saints”, referring to their status as the people whom God has called and set apart as his community. It has nothing to do with our modern notion about being holier than others. Rather, it’s a calling to live our lives according to the pattern laid out by Jesus, empowered by his Spirit.

This term reminds us that we are united with one another not by our own decision but by God choosing us to be his treasured possession (cf. Ex. 19:5–6). We tend to miss this in our democratic society in which the individual has the ultimate choice, many of us choosing which church to belong to. In reality, we are brought together in Christ’s blood and called to follow Christ together.

This greeting hints at Paul’s main concern: Christian unity. One critical means of achieving it: humility, placing the interests of others ahead of one’s own. We should not claim the privileges that rightfully belong to us, but look out for the interests of others.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God, keeping your eyes on the humility of Christ Jesus:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.