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I thank my God in all my remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3)

In every one of Paul’s letters to the churches (except Galatians),^[1] he begins by expressing his joy at the church and his memory of them. Paul, here, is saying that every time someone mentions (remembrance) the church at Philippi, he gives thanks in prayer to God.

The Greek word (μνεία mneia) has the sense of mention (memory), e.g., a remark concerning someone called into recollection. It is here rendered remembrance. This is especially true of our recalling what we have said to God in prayer. This recalling of Paul is his reflecting on what he has heard, seen, and experienced about the Philippians and what he had heard others say. The meaning here is that Paul was grateful for the memories of them that he had. Paul begins by thanking God, not for him and Timothy, but “I” (Paul), and that first-person singular reference is maintained throughout the course of the letter. It also has the intimation that the good conduct of the Philippians Christians evidenced the favor of God to him. In other words, their godly devotion was one of the reminders of the favor of God to Paul himself, for Paul had played a large part in their faithfulness.

Paul had preached among the Philippians some ten years earlier, and so over this time, he had developed a great affection for them. Paul was touched to his very soul by how the Philippian believers had supported him in his ministry with prayer, especially and financial support. When he is truly appreciative and grateful, he also remembers the person(s). Paul is grateful to God every time is able to recall the Philippian people.

[1] Paul writing to the Galatians was sealing in the area of correcting errors that was being brought in by Judaizers in reference to Salvation. These men who came in after Paul was leading the Galatian believers astray by teaching that salvation came by works. Paul quickly jumps into defense of his apostleship and then into the truth of salvation being by Christ alone, plus nothing – minus nothing.