1:1-2 Paul introduces his letter by listing the names of the senders and recipients of the letter, then giving an invocation of grace and peace. 1:1 Timothy was one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers and messengers. He is listed as co-sender, as he is for five other letters (2 Cor, Col, 1 Thes, 2 Thes, Phlm). • slaves of Christ Jesus: As those who belong entirely to Christ, they were completely devoted to his service (see Phil 2:20-21). • God’s holy people have been made holy in God’s sight by Christ’s redeeming work (see Eph 1:4, 7; 5:25-27; Col 1:22), and they are being sanctified by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives (cp. Phil 4:21). • Philippi was a Roman colony in the province of Macedonia. The church in Philippi was the first Christian community in Greece (see Acts 16:11-40). • In the early church, church leaders provided spiritual leadership, while deacons attended to practical matters (see 1 Tim 3:1-13). There were no professional pastors or priests as there are today (cp. 1 Cor 14:26-31).