Philippians 4:21-23
Give greetings .............. send greetings <782> [Salute.]
saints <40> [saint.]
brothers <80> [The.]
saints <40> [the.]
belong <1537> [they.]
Caesar's <2541> [Caesar's.]
The cruel, worthless, and diabolical Nero was at this time emperor of Rome; but it is not improbable that the empress Poppaea was favourably inclined to Christianity, as Josephus relates that ([theosebes <\\See definition 2318\\> gar <\\See definition 1063\\> en <\\See definition 2258\\>]) "she was a worshipper of the true God." Jerome states, (in Phm) that St. Paul had converted many in Caesar's family; for "being by the emperor cast into prison, he became more known to his family, and turned the house of Christ's persecutor into a church."
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. The Church at Philippi in Macedonia was planted by the Apostle Paul about A.D. 53, (Ac 16:9-40;) and it appears he visited them again, A.D. 60, though no particulars are recorded concerning that visit, (Ac 20:6.) The Philippians were greatly attached to St. Paul, and testified their affection by sending him supplies, even when labouring for other churches, (ch. 4:15, 16; 2 Co 11:9;) and when they heard that he was under confinement at Rome, they sent Epaphroditus, one of their pastors, to him with a present, lest he should want necessaries during his imprisonment, (ch. 2:25; 4:10, 14-18.) The more immediate occasion of the Epistle was the return of Epaphroditus, by whom the apostle sent it as a grateful acknowledgment of their kindness; which occurred towards the close of his first imprisonment, about the end of A.D. 62, or the commencement of 63.
