Greetings at the End

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:21-23

The warmth of Paul’s closing comes from his godly affection for this faithful church. He began the letter with grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now he concludes, maintaining his focus on the centrality of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish we are a people whose spirits are made alive through the grace that comes from our life together in Jesus.
Notice that his greeting is meant to connect God’s people. He greets, “every” saint. Each member of God’s family is remembered. He brings greetings from those who are with him, as he is confined, and then extends the greetings from the whole church with him to the whole church in Philippi.
The unique mention of the believers in Caesar’s household has been much debated, but at the very least, we see Paul demonstrating that there is no stronghold that can resist the spread of the good news. It is an encouragement to the Philippians (a Roman military colony) that God is on the move, even into the intimate spaces of Caesar’s household.
We need this encouragement as well. Often we are uncertain if our witness and words have any effect at all, but people everywhere respond to the good news of the grace and peace that comes through knowing Christ.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

O God,
We thank you for your grace in our lives and for the gift of our life together as fellow believers. Give us a greater vision for our call to love and serve one another. Deepen our affection for Christians and churches who serve Jesus. Help us to be faithful in our witness to this same grace for the glory of God.
Amen