All the saints send you greetings
This phrase indicates the unity and fellowship among believers, transcending geographical boundaries. The term "saints" refers to all Christians, emphasizing their sanctification and set-apart status in Christ. This greeting reflects the early church's practice of mutual encouragement and support, as seen in other epistles (e.g., Romans 16:16). The communal aspect of the early church is highlighted, showing the interconnectedness of believers despite physical distances.

especially those from the household of Caesar
This phrase reveals the spread of Christianity into influential and unexpected places, such as the imperial household. The "household of Caesar" likely includes servants, freedmen, and possibly family members associated with the Roman Emperor. This demonstrates the reach of the Gospel into the heart of the Roman Empire, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It also illustrates the subversive nature of the Gospel, penetrating even the highest echelons of society. The presence of believers in Caesar's household is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives across all social strata, echoing the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes (Philippians 1:12-14).

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Philippians, writing from prison in Rome. He is a key figure in the early Christian church and a missionary to the Gentiles.

2. Philippian Church
The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Philippi, a city in Macedonia. They were known for their generosity and support of Paul's ministry.

3. Caesar's Household
Refers to those who were part of the imperial household in Rome. This could include family members, servants, or officials who had come to faith in Christ.

4. Saints
In this context, "saints" refers to the believers in Rome who are part of the Christian community.

5. Rome
The capital of the Roman Empire, where Paul was imprisoned and from where he wrote this letter.The Reach of the Gospel
The mention of believers in Caesar's household demonstrates the power of the gospel to penetrate even the most unlikely places. It encourages us to have faith that God can work in any situation, no matter how challenging.

Unity Among Believers
The greetings from the saints in Rome to the Philippians highlight the unity and fellowship among early Christians, despite geographical and cultural differences. This unity is a model for the church today.

Influence in High Places
The conversion of individuals in Caesar's household shows that the gospel can influence people in positions of power. Christians are called to be salt and light in all areas of society, including places of authority.

Encouragement in Trials
Paul's ability to share the gospel while imprisoned is a testament to finding purpose and joy in difficult circumstances. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and use their trials as opportunities for witness.(22) of Caesar's household.--The "household of Caesar" included a multitude of persons of all ages and ranks and occupations. Dr. Lightfoot, in a very interesting excursus on this verse, remarking that these Christians of Caesar's household are alluded to as if well known to the Philippians, has examined the various names mentioned in Romans 16. (three years before this time), and finds many of them identical with names actually found in sepulchral inscriptions, as belonging to members of the "domus Augusta," or imperial household. These were earlier converts; but, wherever St. Paul's prison was, he can hardly have failed to gain through the praetorians some communication with the household of the emperor, whose body-guard they were; and the allusion here seems to show that for some reason these Christians of Caesar's household were in an especial familiarity of intercourse with him. Probably, therefore, he had added from that household new converts to Christ; and he mentions this here, as he had before spoken of his bonds being made manifest in the "praetorium" (Philippians 1:13), in order to show the Philippians that his very imprisonment had given special opportunity for the spread of the gospel.

Verse 22. - All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. All the Christians at Rome, not only St. Paul's personal friends and companions. It is not clear why he lays a special stress on those belonging to Nero's household. The reason given by Chrysostom seems somewhat fanciful: "If those who dwelt in palaces despised all things for the sake of the King of heaven, much more should the Philippians do so." Some of them may have been known to the Philippian Christians. The term familia or domus Caesaris included all ranks, from the highest official to the lowest freedman or slave. It is probable that those alluded to here belonged to the humbler classes. But at any rate St. Paul's words prove that his preaching had penetrated into that abyss of all infamy, the palace of Nero. (For the Christianity of Seneca, and the supposed correspondence between him and St. Paul see Bishop Lightfoot's dissertation on 'St. Paul and Seneca.' See also his detached note on 'Caesar's Household.')

Parallel Commentaries ...


All
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

saints
ἅγιοι (hagioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

send you greetings,
Ἀσπάζονται (Aspazontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 782: To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.

especially
μάλιστα (malista)
Adverb
Strong's 3122: Most of all, especially. Neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb mala; most or particularly.

those
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

household
οἰκίας (oikias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.

of Caesar.
Καίσαρος (Kaisaros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.


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NT Letters: Philippians 4:22 All the saints greet you especially those (Philipp. Phil. Php.)