Philippians 4:22

“All the saints salute you, etc.] The members of the church at Rome, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household; for by means of the apostle's bonds, which were made manifest in the emperor's palace, Christ was made known to some there likewise; though Nero, the then reigning emperor, was a very wicked prince, and his court a very debauched one, yet the grace of God reached some there: who these were cannot be said; as for the conjecture that Seneca the philosopher, Nero's master, was one of them, it is without foundation; the eight letters of his to the Apostle Paul, and the six letters of the apostle to him, are spurious, though of ancient date, being made mention of by Austin and Jerom…”

“they that are of CÃ&brvbrsar's household--the slaves and dependents of Nero who had been probably converted through Paul's teaching while he was a prisoner in the PrÃ&brvbrtorian barrack attached to the palace. Philippi was a Roman "colony," hence there might arise a tie between the citizens of the mother city and those of the colony; especially between those of both cities who were Christians, converted as many of them were by the same apostle, and under like circumstances, he having been imprisoned at Philippi, as he now is at Rome.”

“All the saints salute you - All in Rome, where this Epistle was written. No individuals are specified, perhaps because none of the Christians at Rome wore personally known to the church at Philippi. They would, however, feel a deep interest in a church which had thus the confidence and affection of Paul. There is reason to believe that the bonds of affection among the churches then were much stronger than they are now. There was a generous warmth in the newness of the Christian affection - the first ardor of love; and the common trials to which they were exposed would serve to bind them closely together. Chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household - That is, of Nero, who was at that time the…”

“4:22 Those in Caesar’s household were believers employed in the service of the Roman government—perhaps those whom Paul had evangelized while in prison. They might have been especially close to Paul and concerned for him in prison (see 1:13).”

“the: Rom 16:16; Co2 13:13; Heb 13:24; Pe1 5:13; Jo3 1:14 they: Phi 1:13 Caesar's: The cruel, worthless, and diabolical Nero was at this time emperor of Rome; but it is not improbable that the empress Poppaea was favourably inclined to Christianity, as Josephus relates that Θεοσεβης \[Strong's G2318\], γαρ \[Strong's G1063\], ην \[Strong's G2258\], "she was a worshipper of the true God." Jerome states (in Philemon) that St. Paul had converted many in Caesar's family; for "being by the emperor cast into prison, he became more known to his family, and turned the house of Christ's persecutor into a church. Philippians 4:23”