Philippians 1:3

KJV

¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

KJV (with Strong's)

I thank {G2168} my {G3450} God {G2316} upon {G1909} every {G3956} remembrance {G3417} of you {G5216},

Complete Jewish Bible

I thank my God every time I think of you.

Berean Standard Bible

I thank my God every time I remember you.

American Standard Version

I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Philippians 1:3, the Apostle Paul initiates his letter to the church in Philippi with a profound expression of personal gratitude, declaring his consistent thanksgiving to God whenever he remembers the believers there. This verse sets a deeply affectionate and joyful tone for the entire epistle, immediately highlighting the strong bond between Paul and the Philippian community, rooted in their shared faith and partnership in the gospel. It serves as a heartfelt opening, moving beyond a mere formal greeting to convey genuine appreciation for their spiritual vitality and support.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Philippians 1:3 immediately follows Paul's customary apostolic salutation (Philippians 1:1-2), which identifies the senders (Paul and Timothy) and the recipients (saints in Philippi, with their overseers and deacons). This verse marks the beginning of the epistle's thanksgiving and prayer section (Philippians 1:3-11), a common feature in Paul's letters. However, unlike some of his other epistles where thanksgiving might be followed by rebuke or correction, here it flows seamlessly into an extended expression of joy and prayer for their continued growth in love and knowledge. This opening thanksgiving sets the stage for the letter's overarching themes of joy, unity, and perseverance in the gospel, even amidst suffering and imprisonment, establishing a warm and intimate tone that permeates the entire letter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Philippi was a significant city in Macedonia, designated a Roman colony, granting its citizens special privileges and a strong sense of Roman identity. Paul first preached the gospel here during his second missionary journey, as recounted in [Acts 16](/acts/16 "Acts 16 - Paul's Second Missionary Journey and the Founding of the Philippian Church"), establishing the first church on European soil. The Philippian church was unique among Paul's congregations for its consistent and generous financial support of his ministry, even when he was in other regions (cf. [Philippians 4:15-16](/philippians/4-15-16 "Philippians 4:15-16 - The Philippians' Generosity")). This deep, reciprocal relationship fostered a profound affection and partnership between Paul and the Philippians, which is palpable throughout the letter. Paul writes this letter from prison (likely Rome), making his joyful and thankful disposition even more striking and a testament to his spiritual resilience.
* **Key Themes:** Philippians 1:3 introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the epistle. Foremost is **Profound Gratitude**, not as a mere formality but as a genuine, heartfelt expression of thanks to God for the Philippians themselves—for their faith, their existence, and their faithfulness in Christ. This gratitude is intimately linked to **Joy in Remembrance**, as Paul states that every recollection of them consistently brings him joy and prompts him to give thanks. This consistent joy is a hallmark of the letter, contributing to Paul's overarching theme of joy despite his circumstances, famously reiterated in [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always"). Furthermore, while not explicitly stated in this verse, Paul's gratitude is deeply rooted in their **Partnership in the Gospel**, a theme he explicitly mentions in the very next verse, [Philippians 1:5](/philippians/1-5 "Philippians 1:5 - Partnership in the Gospel"). Their support, both spiritual and financial, was a vital source of encouragement to Paul, enabling his ministry and demonstrating their shared commitment to the advance of the gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thank (Greek, _eucharistéō'_):** This verb signifies "to be grateful" or "to express gratitude," often in a religious context. It conveys a deep sense of appreciation, acknowledging a favor or blessing received. From this word, we derive "Eucharist," emphasizing the element of thanksgiving in communion. Paul's use here indicates a deliberate, spiritual act of acknowledging God as the ultimate source of the blessing that the Philippian believers represent.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** Referring to the supreme Divinity, this term highlights the personal and theological nature of Paul's gratitude. His thanks is not directed merely at the Philippians, but *to his God* for them, underscoring his personal relationship with the divine and recognizing God's sovereign work in their lives and in their relationship with him. It grounds his human appreciation in divine grace.
* **remembrance (Greek, _mneía'_):** This noun denotes "recollection" or "mention." It implies a conscious, thoughtful act of bringing someone or something to mind, rather than a fleeting thought. For Paul, it suggests that he regularly and intentionally recalled the Philippian believers, and each time, this deliberate recollection prompted him to give thanks to God, indicating the profound and lasting positive impact they had on him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I thank my God":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the personal and devotional nature of Paul's relationship with God, using the possessive "my God." It signifies a deep, intimate connection, not merely a formal acknowledgment of a deity. The act of "thanking" (eucharistéō) is a spiritual discipline, an expression of gratitude that recognizes God's hand in the blessings received, in this case, the very existence and faithfulness of the Philippian believers.
* **"upon every remembrance of you":** This clause reveals the consistent and recurring nature of Paul's thanksgiving. The preposition "upon" (epí) here indicates the occasion or basis for his gratitude – it is triggered *each time* he remembers them. The word "remembrance" (mneía) suggests a deliberate and thoughtful recollection. This is not a casual or infrequent thought, but a regular and profound bringing to mind of the Philippians, which invariably leads him to express thanks to God. It highlights the deep and positive impact the Philippian church had on Paul's spiritual life and ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's opening in Philippians 1:3 employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Apostolic Thanksgiving**, a common rhetorical feature in Pauline epistles where the apostle expresses gratitude to God for the recipients, often setting the tone and introducing key themes. This is not a mere formality but a genuine outpouring of emotion. The phrase "my God" exemplifies a **Personal Tone**, establishing an intimate and relational connection between Paul, God, and the Philippians, immediately signaling the warm and affectionate nature of the letter. Furthermore, the emphasis on "every remembrance" suggests a form of **Repetition** or consistent action, underscoring the enduring joy and gratitude Paul experiences whenever he recalls the Philippian believers. This consistent positive association reinforces the deep bond and mutual encouragement shared within the Christian community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Philippians 1:3 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that genuine Christian fellowship is a gift from God, prompting gratitude and intercession. Paul's thanksgiving is not for material gain or personal comfort, but for the spiritual vitality and faithfulness of the Philippian believers. This highlights the value God places on His people and their growth in Christ. It underscores that the spiritual health and perseverance of fellow believers should be a primary source of joy and thanksgiving for us, recognizing God's work in and through them. This verse also implicitly connects to the theme of the church as the body of Christ, where the flourishing of one part brings joy and thanksgiving to another. It models a posture of consistent gratitude, shifting our focus from self to the blessings God provides through His community.

* [Ephesians 1:15-16](/ephesians/1-15-16 "Ephesians 1:15-16 - Paul's Thanksgiving for the Ephesians")
* [Colossians 1:3-4](/colossians/1-3-4 "Colossians 1:3-4 - Paul's Thanksgiving for the Colossians")
* [1 Thessalonians 1:2-3](/1_thessalonians/1-2-3 "1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 - Paul's Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Philippians 1:3 offers a timeless blueprint for cultivating a heart of gratitude and strengthening Christian fellowship. Paul's consistent thanksgiving for the Philippians reminds us that our spiritual lives are deeply intertwined with others. We are called to intentionally remember fellow believers—friends, family, church members, and even those we know only through reputation—and to allow those memories to prompt genuine thanksgiving to God for their faith, their contributions, and their very existence in the body of Christ. This practice transforms our perspective, shifting us from a self-focused outlook to one that celebrates God's work in others. It also challenges us to consider if our own lives are lived in such a way that our remembrance brings joy and thanksgiving to others, just as the Philippians brought joy to Paul. Ultimately, this verse encourages a lifestyle of intercessory prayer, where our gratitude for others naturally flows into fervent prayer for their continued spiritual growth, perseverance, and joy in the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **For whom in your life do you consistently give thanks to God?**
* **How might intentionally recalling the faithfulness of other believers deepen your own gratitude and joy?**
* **In what ways can your life and faith be a source of encouragement and thanksgiving for others, mirroring the Philippians' impact on Paul?**
* **How does Paul's personal "my God" inform your own relationship with the divine and your expressions of gratitude?**

### FAQ

**Why is Paul so thankful for the Philippians?**
Answer: Paul's profound thankfulness for the Philippians stems from several deep reasons. Primarily, they were the first church he founded in Europe ([Acts 16](/acts/16 "Acts 16 - Paul's First European Ministry")), and they maintained an exceptionally close and supportive relationship with him. They consistently partnered with him in the gospel, providing financial support for his ministry (as seen in [Philippians 4:15-16](/philippians/4-15-16 "Philippians 4:15-16 - The Philippians' Generosity")) and demonstrating unwavering faithfulness. His gratitude is not merely for their actions but for their very spiritual existence and perseverance, which brought him immense joy and encouragement, especially during his imprisonment.

**What does "upon every remembrance of you" mean?**
Answer: This phrase signifies that Paul's gratitude was not a one-time event but a recurring, consistent experience. Whenever the Philippians came to his mind—whether through prayer, news, or simply reflection—that remembrance consistently prompted him to give thanks to God for them. It highlights the deep and lasting positive impression they had on him, indicating a profound and enduring bond. It suggests a deliberate and regular practice of recalling them in his thoughts and prayers.

**Is this just a polite greeting, or does it have deeper meaning?**
Answer: While Paul's letters often begin with a salutation and thanksgiving, this expression in Philippians 1:3 goes far beyond mere politeness. It is a genuine outpouring of affection and spiritual appreciation. The warmth and personal tone ("my God") combined with the consistent nature of his thanksgiving ("upon every remembrance") reveal a deep, authentic bond. This heartfelt opening sets the tone for the entire letter, which is characterized by joy, unity, and mutual encouragement, underscoring the profound spiritual partnership Paul shared with the Philippian believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's thanksgiving for the Philippians, while directed to God for them, ultimately finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The very faith and spiritual vitality of the Philippians, which is the source of Paul's joy and gratitude, is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work in their lives. They are "saints in Christ Jesus" ([Philippians 1:1](/philippians/1-1 "Philippians 1:1 - Paul's Salutation")), meaning their identity and spiritual standing are entirely dependent on their union with Him. Paul's thanksgiving, therefore, is an acknowledgment of God's grace manifested through Christ, transforming individuals and forming them into a vibrant community. Furthermore, their "partnership in the gospel" ([Philippians 1:5](/philippians/1-5 "Philippians 1:5 - Partnership in the Gospel")) is a participation in Christ's ongoing mission to reconcile the world to God. Their support for Paul's ministry enabled the spread of the good news of Christ, demonstrating that the body of Christ works together, empowered by the Spirit, to fulfill the Great Commission given by the Lord Himself ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, Paul's joy in their remembrance is ultimately joy in Christ, the one who called them, sustains them, and works through them for His glory ([Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")). Every spiritual blessing, including the existence of faithful believers, flows from Christ, the head of the church ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

1 Thessalonians 1:2

¶ We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Philemon 1:4

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Philemon 1:5

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve from [my] forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Colossians 1:3

¶ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,