Philippians 4:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This too is not insignificant: to greet them through letters is a sign of great love.

"The brethren who are with me greet you." But you said, "For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for you." How then do you now say, "The brethren who are with me"?

Either he is speaking of the brethren who were with him, showing that none of them was like-minded, without referring to those who were in the city. And what need did they have to undertake apostolic labors?

Or else he does not refuse to call them also brethren.

"Greet every saint in Christ Jesus." It is a sign of no small affection to greet them through letters.

"The brethren who are with me greet you." For many were with him, perhaps even some from Rome itself. Yet they did not take part in the apostolic labors.

Only Timothy was such, whom he earlier called one of one soul with himself. Nevertheless, Paul does not refuse to call them brethren.

The greeting of the brethren is a mutual consolation, calling to mind the image of those who were separated.

"Greet every saint in Christ Jesus." Not everyone who calls himself a saint is truly holy, but only one who believes in the Lord Jesus and lives according to His laws.

"The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household." He gave them sufficient consolation by reporting that the divine Gospel had prevailed even in the royal house and had caught for life those close to the impious king.

Afterword to Phil 4:21-23. In it the Apostle sends a greeting to “every saint in Christ Jesus,” that is, to every true Christian in Philippi, from all in Rome. And especially “from Caesar’s household.” Chrysostom says of this: “The Apostle encouraged and strengthened the Philippians by showing that the teaching had reached the royal household.” Then follows the customary final blessing: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

In the postscript of the epistle, the Apostle sends greeting to all Christians sanctified in Christ, both from himself and those around him, and from all Roman Christians in general.

For their mutual encouragement, he especially mentions those of Caesar's household, whom Saint John Chrysostom calls courtiers. He says: "Because believers then were under oppression, there was great love among them.

How was this so? Those who were far from one another were mutually joined. Those at a distance greeted one another as though they lived nearby. Each was disposed toward the others as toward his own members.

The poor man was disposed toward the rich man just as the rich man was toward the poor. There was no distinction, because all were equally hated and persecuted, and for the same reason."

In the greeting which the Apostle then sets forth, he mentions, among others, believers from Caesar’s household. These were, in all likelihood, lower servants of the palace.

"Greet" means: salute them, give them my bow, convey my good wishes. "Every saint" means every believer, sanctified in the waters of baptism, who has vowed to live holy.

For this purpose he received the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he might conscientiously fulfill this vow. Throughout his whole life he is to admit not only no deeds, but also no words or thoughts displeasing to God and contrary to His holiness and ours.

"In Christ Jesus." No one can be holy except in Christ Jesus. For faith in Him, forgiveness of sins is given. Through baptism into His death a new life is born.

By Him the grace of the Holy Spirit is given. The whole life that is holy thereafter is the fruit of His action in us, when we surrender ourselves wholly to Him.