Among the saints who send greetings to the Philippian church, the apostle mentions chiefly them that are of Caesar’s household. Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity than in the Roman court under such a monster of wickedness as then stood at its head. Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the Divine, and even of the human, and to bear only the impress of the Satanic. His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character as himself, fierce, debased, and corrupt. To all appearance it would be impossible for Christianity to gain a foot-hold in the court and palace of Nero.{LP 290.2}

Blandt de hellige som sender hilsner til filippermenigheden, nævner apostlen først og fremmest dem som er i kejserens hus. Hvordan kan der eksistere en mere usympatisk atmosfære for de kristne end i det romerske hof under et sådant monster af ondskab som stod ved dets hoved. Nero lod til at have udslette det mindste spor af guddommelighed fra sin sjæl, og endog menneskelighed, og bar kun aftryk af satanisme. Hans tjenere og hofmænd var generelt af samme karakter som han selv, heftige, fornedrede og fordærvede. For alle ville det se umuligt ud for kristen at få fodfæste i Neros hof og palads.