Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity
Philippians 1:3-11
Thanksgiving and Prayer
November 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Prescript The prescript, or introductory salutation, of an ancient letter regularly contained three elements: (a) the name of the sender or senders; (b) the name of the recipient or recipients, and (c) a word of greeting or good wishes. Examples abound from letters of the New Testament period, in Greek and in Latin, both literary and nonliterary; earlier examples are the extracts from the official correspondence of the Persian court quoted in the book of Ezra; compare Ezra 7:12, “Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of Heaven: Greetings.” This pattern is followed here, as in all the NT letters: Paul and Timothy are named as the senders and “all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi” as the recipients, and the word of good wishes is “grace and peace.”
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Commentary
Philippians 1 Commentary: Paul's Love and Concern Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse on Paul's thanksgiving and prayer that their love abound in knowledge and discernment.
Commentary on Philippians 1:3-11 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on love overflowing with knowledge toward the day of Christ (this exact reading in the Revised Common Lectionary).
Philippians 1:3-11 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on partnership in the gospel and a love that grows in insight.
Philippians 1:3-5 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed word study on Paul's thanksgiving that opens this reading.
Philippians 1:3 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators assembled on 'I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.'
Background & Word Study
Philippians - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Philippians, Paul's letter of joy written from prison.
Book of Philippians Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject
Animated overview of the letter's themes of partnership, humility and joy.
Philippians 1:3 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for Paul's opening thanksgiving and prayer.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How does Paul open Philippians?
With joyful thanksgiving for the church’s partnership in the gospel, confident that God will complete his work in them, and praying their love may abound more and more in knowledge (Philippians 1:3–11).
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