Conclusion (Philippians 4:20-23)

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. ²² All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Some commentators note that Paul wrote a letter to thank the Philippians for their gift to him but never actually says thank you. In part, Paul does not want to give money too much value. But, more than that, he believes that Christians should not relate to each other using the values of society. He would see Christianity as communal with all Christians responsible for each other, including financially. Paul sees the Philippians’ gift to him as one to God and thus an act of worship, so, he ends with a doxology, which is a hymn or prayer of praise to God.

As Marcus Maxwell writes: “doxologies such as that in verse 20 are common in Jewish and Christian literature, and enshrine a truth – that Christianity and its parent faith, are about worship above all else.” All too often, we Christians fight about doctrine which gives the idea that that is the center of our faith, but, ultimately, most of these debates come down to how to worship God. It is through worship that we meet God, whether it be through prayer, reading, or ceremony.

The final verses contain Paul’s signature which was probably handwritten by him. He then says that the letter is for everyone, for “all God’s people” which includes us today. Clearly, too, the letter is for everyone in the Philippian community, showing once again that Paul does not take sides. He cares for all of them. He also sends greetings from the Christian community located where he is in prison. The fact that he mentions all the Christians both in Philippi and where he is shows how much he sees Christianity as a group work and a partnership. Paul pays particular attention to those in Caesar’s household. This term generally was used in reference to the Roman civil service, at all levels. Many of them were slaves, who could actually be very influential. This shows that Christianity has grown to reach the very corridors of Roman power.

Paul concludes with a benediction similar to those used in other letters (Philemon and Galatians). He wishes for Christ’s grace to be with his readers’ spirit, and the word spirit is singular. All of us contain the Spirit, and the Church is the body of Christ. Thus, while the Church made of many different people, it is all one entity. According to dictionary.com, grace means “the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.” This grace comes from Christ and operates in us through the Spirit. This Spirit gives us a greater knowledge of God. And so the letter to the Philippians ends with Paul’s wish for the Christian community to grow in grace.