To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
This benediction may close the letter generally, or it may pivot on what precedes: Paul's gratitude for the Philippians' gift. Either way, he means to say that any aid they gave him came through God's mercy, and therefore God alone deserves the thanks and the glory.
AI summary
Father is a title of honor; our is a word of comfort. In that pronoun lies the sweetness of the gospel: we are God's children through faith in Christ, begotten by Him, loved with a father's affection. All believers, weak and strong alike, share one Father, and so must share one heart.
AI summary
God is our Father in Christ, and to Him belongs all glory forever. Every good gift, temporal and spiritual, flows from His free grace alone, not from human merit. The Philippians' gift to Paul, like all things, must be traced back to His hand.
AI summary