To all the saints] holy persons—consecrated to God as all Christian believers are. This and similar emphatic expressions (in Philippians 1:3-4; Philippians 1:7-8; Philippians 1:25, chapter Philippians 4:2) show that the entire Church, despite differences between its members (Philippians 2:2-3; Philippians 4:2), has the Apostle's confidence. Only in this Epistle are the Church officers singled out in the address; probably because they figured in the letter of the Church, to which St. Paul is replying: see Intro. Bishops and deacons] 'overseers' and 'attendants'—associated here for the first time in NT.—are the superior and subordinate officers of the local Church. 'Bishops' appear to be the same as the 'presidents' ('those that are over you') of 1 Thessalonians 5:12, the 'pastors' of Ephesians 4:11; (cp. 1 Peter 2:25), and the more familiar 'elders' of Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; Titus 1:5-9, etc.: see Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; (RV), and 1 Peter 5:1-4, for the identity. The same persons might be called 'elders' in respect of status, and 'overseers' in respect of duty. At this early stage of development, there was no strict uniformity of title or function in the offices held in various Churches. Episkopos (bishop) was a name for persons charged with administrative or financial responsibility in Greek communities; and this title may have been adopted by the Hellenic Churches. 'Deacon' (diakonos) represents the every-day word for 'servant,' 'attendant,' as in Matthew 20:26; Romans 13:4;etc. For farther elucidation, see notes on these words in the Pastoral Epistles.
St. Paul invokes four bonds of friendship: exhortation (i.e. encouragement) in Christ, given on his part; consolation of love, fellowship in the Spirit (cp. Philippians 1:19), tender mercies and compassions, mutually exhibited; if there be any such things—or if they count for anything as between us (the sentence is elliptical, and the text a little doubtful)—this entreaty will prevail.