John Chrysostom

Here, as writing to those of equal honor, he does not set down his rank of Teacher, but another, and that a great one. And what is that? He calls himself a "servant," and not an Apostle. For great truly is this rank too, and the sum of all good things, to be a servant of Christ, and not merely to be called so. "The servant of Christ," this is truly a free man in respect to sin, and being a genuine servant, he is not a servant to any other, since he would not be Christ's servant, but by halves. …

Homily on Philippians 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here the apostle does not put forward his apostolic dignity, but simply calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. This title is certainly great as well, only it is of a more general character. But when he writes to Timothy and the Corinthians, he calls himself an apostle. Why is this? Because there he wished to set many things in order, and therefore put forward his apostolic dignity. But here he commands nothing of the sort, but rather considers them as equals to himself. …

Commentary on Philippians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

This letter is divided into a greeting and a message (1:3). In the greeting he does three things: first, the persons who send the greeting are described; secondly, the persons greeted (1:1); thirdly, the good things he wishes them (1:2). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he mentions the persons who send the greeting; secondly, their condition (1:1). …

Commentary on Philippians ↗