These two verses are part of the salutation of the epistles to the Christians in Philippi.
1:1a Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
Paul is the sender of this letter. In this salutation, Paul includes Timothy. He includes Timothy for the reason that he has a plan to send him to Philippi for a specific purpose (2:19).
Paul describes themselves (he and Timothy) as bond-servants. The word bondservant comes from the Greek word "dulous", which technically means a slave. A slave has been bought and becomes a possession of someone. He has no right instead he must do whatever his master wishes him to do.
The master is no other than Jesus Christ. They are slaves of Christ; bought by Jesus Christ from the marketplace of sin and he owns them for specific purpose.
1:1b To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons
This part is to whom the letter is addressed, which is apparently for the saints in Philippi. He describes them as saints in Christ. Among the letters of Paul to the churches, only the prison epistles to the churches (Ephesus, Colossae, and Philippi) he uses the phrase"saints in Christ." This phrase is to describe them that their holiness is associated with the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that they cannot be considered holy unless they are in Christ Jesus.
Another peculiar thing in this letter is that only in this letter Paul specially includes the two offices: the overseers and deacons. This gives the idea that there are only two offices of the church biblically. The overseers who oversee the spiritual aspects of the church and the deacons who are in charge in service in the church are very significant in this letter. More likely, the reason why Paul mentioned these two offices because of the problem in the church as far as service is concerned. Maybe there is a problem among the overseers and deacons, but more likely, Paul wants them to be aware of the issue in serving the Lord (competition/division) and to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
1:1a Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
Paul is the sender of this letter. In this salutation, Paul includes Timothy. He includes Timothy for the reason that he has a plan to send him to Philippi for a specific purpose (2:19).
Paul describes themselves (he and Timothy) as bond-servants. The word bondservant comes from the Greek word "dulous", which technically means a slave. A slave has been bought and becomes a possession of someone. He has no right instead he must do whatever his master wishes him to do.
The master is no other than Jesus Christ. They are slaves of Christ; bought by Jesus Christ from the marketplace of sin and he owns them for specific purpose.
1:1b To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons
This part is to whom the letter is addressed, which is apparently for the saints in Philippi. He describes them as saints in Christ. Among the letters of Paul to the churches, only the prison epistles to the churches (Ephesus, Colossae, and Philippi) he uses the phrase"saints in Christ." This phrase is to describe them that their holiness is associated with the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that they cannot be considered holy unless they are in Christ Jesus.
Another peculiar thing in this letter is that only in this letter Paul specially includes the two offices: the overseers and deacons. This gives the idea that there are only two offices of the church biblically. The overseers who oversee the spiritual aspects of the church and the deacons who are in charge in service in the church are very significant in this letter. More likely, the reason why Paul mentioned these two offices because of the problem in the church as far as service is concerned. Maybe there is a problem among the overseers and deacons, but more likely, Paul wants them to be aware of the issue in serving the Lord (competition/division) and to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
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