In

letters or emails that we write today, we place our signature at the

end. And, depending on whom we are writing, we adjust the way we

sign. You don’t sign an email to your boss with “Love, George.”

And you don’t treat your spouse aloofly by signing “Regards,

Jane.”

Back

in Paul’s day, people signed their letters at the beginning, and

the greeting often gave a preview of what was to come. In Philippians

we can tell right away that this letter is going to be full of love

and warmth. Paul calls his readers saints, “God’s holy people,”

and showers them with grace and peace “from God our Father and the

Lord Jesus Christ.” Then he makes clear how thankful he is for

them. They are gospel partners, coworkers in whom God is doing a

great thing—and this comes with a promise that God will bring his

work to completion. Paul reveals his pastor’s heart here by

offering great encouragement and displaying deep care and affection

for the Christians living and working in Philippi.

We

all need to know that we’re loved, and we all need encouragement.

We need someone to see God’s work in our lives, call it out for us,

name it, and give thanks for it.

The

Philippians needed that kind of encouragement. So Paul makes sure it

is the first thing they receive in this loving, pastoral letter.