Paul and Timothy write together, both under the authority of Christ. Their recipients are joined together, too, the saints with their overseers and deacons. Saints, or holy people, are those who are specially designated for God's purposes. It's the same idea as being "servants of Christ Jesus." Who is on top when everyone is under Jesus? Paul and Timothy call themselves servants, even as they acknowledge leaders in the Philippian church as overseers. They're modeling a race to the bottom. On most church websites, there's a Leadership page. Often, at the very top of the page, is a professional headshot and extended bio for the Senior Pastor. Then the Executive Leadership Team is listed, before other ranks of staff. It looks like a corporate org chart showcasing the CEO and Board of Directors. Paul acknowledges there are overseers and servants among them. But at this early stage, it doesn't appear that these are formal roles with prestigious titles. Rather, some shoulder the load to ensure the community is following Jesus faithfully, while others have emerged as especially dedicated to meeting practical needs. Whether this is facilitating Sunday worship, encouraging a halfhearted disciple, helping a new convert find a job after being expelled from a pagan guild or distributing food to widows, the saints are actively caring for one another. It is possible to over-read the phrase "in Philippi." After all, it is simply where the letter's recipients live. But Philippi is a privileged Roman colony, founded for military veterans, where the imperial cult honored Caesar as Lord. For Paul, Christians may live "in" Philippi, but they remain set apart for God's purposes. Because they're all saints in the same city, they're grouped with one another. Whether they're Roman citizens, Macedonian slaves, women or men, wealthy or poor, they're all included in Paul's opening address. Because we're all in Christ, we're all with each other. In Christ, the only ranking that matters is your identity: servants of Christ Jesus, God's holy people.