A Letter from Slaves to Holy Ones

"Paul and Timothy, slaves of King Jesus to all the holy ones in King Jesus who are in Philippi . . . " (Phil. 1:1)

Paul and Timothy are declared by Paul himself to be "slaves of king Jesus." To the ear of a Roman citizen, it seems that this designation would have been a statement of political treason (another king?) and/or a statement of forced subjugation (enslavement?). To not be bound to Caesar would have been unimaginable because of the consequences of disloyalty to the king and the forfeiture of rights and privileges within the empire. Yet to be called a slave would have been very troubling and even demeaning to any citizen of imperial Rome; for slaves were of the lowest class of people within that society.

Incredibly, Paul says what needs to be said to the Philippians (who are probably for the most part Romans citizens) because of how he sees himself in relationship to the world's one true Lord and Israel's Messiah. Paul sees himself as a prisoner of Jesus, not as a prisoner of Rome. Paul sees himself as a slave of King Jesus, not as a slave of Caesar. Paul views himself as a citizen of heaven, not a citizen of Rome.

This kind of thinking is right(eous) thinking in light of the truth of the gospel. It is an apocalyptic sort of thinking based on the absolute sovereignty of King Jesus over and against the temporal (and extremely limited) sovereignty of Caesar. This sort of thinking is eschatological in nature based on what is to come and on that which will last forever. So Paul wants those to whom he is writing to view themselves as he views himself. He wants the "holy ones" in Philippi to take up his pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting (phronein) which he himself learned from Israel's King, the Lord Jesus. Only this kind of "phronein" can lead to genuine joy no matter the circumstances.

It is interesting that Paul never refers to his apostleship in the letter to the Philippians. This opening in many respects sets the tone for the entire correspondence. How would you like to receive a letter from someone who actually believes themselves to be slaves of a King not by force but willingly and without reservation?