The overall theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians as we have seen is joy though the circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. The key word of the letter is “mind” and four examples of such exalted “thinking” are given in the letter beginning with Christ’s own and ending with the apostle Paul’s. The introductory verses (1-8) will be our focus today. There Paul is highlighted as the author of the letter although Timothy (very well known to the believers in Philippi) is also mentioned as being together with Paul. They are referred to importantly as “bond slaves” of Jesus Christ and the believers are referred to as “saints” or sanctified ones. That sets the stage for the letter. But immediately the apostle notes that these believers are “in Christ Jesus”, key words indeed in his letters and also very personally highlights his concern for them and his constant thanksgiving and prayers on their behalf. This topic gets directly to the central focus of the letter. Although it is surely Christ’s “mind” as he left heavens glory and ultimately offered himself for all sinners that is at the center of this letter of examples of heavenly thinking, Paul in verse 8 focus here at the beginning on his own “heart” using the very revealing terms “the bowels of Jesus Christ”. With these few words he identifies his own heart-felt concerns with that of Christ Jesus. This identification is critical to Paul’s letter and all his letters as he offers himself here as the example for the believers that they should “follow”. This is profound and powerful indeed, that the “man” Paul might be our example of Christ. 
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