We have nine of Paul's letters compiled in the New Testament written to different churches: two to the Corinthians, one to the Romans, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, and two to the Thessalonians. In the opening remarks of his letters to the Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Philippians he affirms that he is praying for them. But only in the letter to the Philippians does he add that every prayer he prays for them was prayed with joy (1:4), that he "holds them in his heart" (1:7), and that he "yearns for them with all the affection of Christ Jesus" (1:8). In the last chapter (4:1), his heart overflows once again, and he writes that "he loves them," "longs to see them," "they are his joy and his crown [his reward]," and calls them "my beloved." No doubt Paul loved the Christians in all of the churches, but his words to the Philippian church indicate that he had a special relationship with them and an abounding love above all others.