Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:1-11 Greeting and Prayer. Paul greets his readers, expressing his gratitude (vv. 3-6) and affection (vv. 7-8) for them, followed by a prayer that their love would abound and their holiness increase (vv. 9-11).

1:1-2 Salutation from Paul and Timothy. Paul, along with Timothy, gives the standard early Christian greeting of grace and peace. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle but designates Timothy and himself as servants. The emphasis on service anticipates the rest of the letter, and this emphasis is seen especially in what is said of the humiliation of Christ Jesus (2:5-11). It is uncertain what level of formal church governance is implied by overseers and deacons. The former are presumably elders, who would be charged with spiritual oversight of the congregation (cf. Acts 14:23 [with note]; 20:17, 28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:1-4), while the latter would be entrusted with matters of practical service (cf. Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).