Philippians 1:3

¶ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

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

I thank my God every time I think of you.

I thank my God every time I remember you.

I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

Context

This verse opens the body of Paul's letter to the Philippian church, immediately following his salutation. Philippi was a significant city, being the first place Paul preached the gospel in Europe during his second missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 16:12. The church there was unique; they were not only receptive to the gospel but also became one of Paul's most consistent and generous supporters, often sending aid to him during his various imprisonments and travels. This opening expression of gratitude sets a warm, affectionate tone for the entire epistle, reflecting a deep bond between the apostle and the believers.

Key Themes

  • Profound Gratitude: Paul's expression of thanks is not a mere formality but a genuine, heartfelt outpouring of appreciation. He isn't just thankful for something they did, but for them – for their very existence and faithfulness in Christ. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's work in others.
  • Joy in Remembrance: The phrase "upon every remembrance of you" indicates that whenever Paul recalled the Philippian believers, it consistently brought him joy and prompted him to thank God. This highlights the positive impact believers can have on one another and the spiritual refreshing that comes from reflecting on God's grace in the lives of others. This consistent joy is a hallmark of the letter, contributing to Paul's overarching theme of joy despite his circumstances.
  • Partnership in the Gospel: Though not explicitly stated in this specific verse, Paul's gratitude is deeply rooted in their faithful partnership in the gospel (mentioned in the very next verse, Philippians 1:5). Their support, both spiritual and financial, was a source of great encouragement to Paul, enabling his ministry.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word for "thank" is eucharistō (εὐχαριστῶ), from which we derive terms like "Eucharist." It signifies giving thanks with a sense of grace and blessing, often in a religious context. Paul's thanksgiving is directed specifically to "my God," emphasizing his personal relationship with the divine source of all blessings. The word "remembrance" (Greek: mneia, μνεία) implies a conscious, thoughtful recollection rather than a fleeting thought. It suggests that Paul regularly and deliberately brought the Philippians to mind, and each time, it led him to give thanks to God.

Practical Application

Philippians 1:3 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Cultivate Gratitude: Make it a practice to genuinely thank God for other believers in your life – for their faith, their contributions, and their presence.
  • Pray for Others: Remembrance often leads to prayer. As you recall fellow Christians, let it prompt you to intercede for them before God.
  • Be a Source of Joy: Reflect on how your life and faith might be a source of encouragement and joy for others, just as the Philippians were for Paul. Your faithfulness can uplift those who minister to you or alongside you.
  • Express Appreciation: While Paul thanked God, this verse also models the heart of appreciation that should be expressed to others, strengthening the bonds of Christian fellowship.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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,
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