Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, _my_ dearly beloved. Ver. 1. _Dearly beloved and longed for_] What heart melting language is here! Ministers must woo hard for Christ, and speak fair, if they will speak to purpose: "though I might be... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. Ver. 2. _I beseech Euodias_] A couple of disagreeing sisters, whom the apostle seeketh to reconcile, and it was a wonder if they could resist his rhetoric. Oh that I could but once find you together one (saith Austi... [ Continue Reading ]
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and _with_ other my fellowlabourers, whose names _are_ in the book of life. Ver. 3. _And I entreat thee also_] All men should contribute their help to the composing of differences, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice in the Lord alway: _and_ again I say, Rejoice. Ver. 4. _Rejoice in the Lord_] That is the true and only joy (said Mr Philpot the martyr), which is conceived not of the creature, but of the Creator; to this all other joys being compared are but mournings, all delights sorrows, all beauty fil... [ Continue Reading ]
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord _is_ at hand. Ver. 5. _Let your moderation_] Or equality, such as was that of David, Psalms 26:12. The scales of his mind hung equal, giving him liberty in all occurrences to enjoy himself. All immoderations are enemies to health; so they are also... [ Continue Reading ]
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Ver. 6. _In nothing be careful_] Or care for nothing, viz. with a care of diffidence and distrust. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 6:25 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 6:26 _"_ &c. _ But... [ Continue Reading ]
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Ver. 7. _And the peace of God_] Prayer hath _virtutem pacativam._ "Acquaint thyself with God and be at peace," Job 22:21. Pray, "that your joy may be full," John 16:24. David prays down his... [ Continue Reading ]
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things _are_ honest, whatsoever things _are_ just, whatsoever things _are_ pure, whatsoever things _are_ lovely, whatsoever things _are_ of good report; if _there be_ any virtue, and if _there be_ any praise, think on these things. Ver. 8. _... [ Continue Reading ]
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Ver. 9. _And heard, and seen in me_] _Est aliquid quod ex magno viro vel tacente proficias._ The very sight, nay, thought, of a good man often doth good. Whereas the tongue... [ Continue Reading ]
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Ver. 10. _Hath reflourished_] Ανεθαλετο. It had deflourished then for a season, and withered, as an oak in winter,Isaiah 6:13, and as a teil tree... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, _therewith_ to be content. Ver. 11. _In respect of want_] The wicked in the fulness of his sufficiency is in straits, Job 20:22. Contrariwise, the godly man in the midst of his straits is in a sufficiency. "He hath a... [ Continue Reading ]
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Ver. 12. _I know both how, &c._] Sound bodies can bear sudden alternations of heat and cold: so cannot distempered bodies. _ Bo... [ Continue Reading ]
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Ver. 13. _I can do all things_] A Christian walks about the world like a conqueror, having power given him over all, Revelation 2:26,27. It was a vain brag of that heathen prince that caused it to be engraven upon his tombstone, παντα ποιει... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Ver. 14. _Ye have well done_] For hereby as you have sealed up your love to me, and engaged me to pray for you (as for Onesiphorus, 2Ti 1:16), so you have gotten a good testimony to yourselves that ye are members of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Ver. 15. _But ye only_] One poor Philippian shamed a hundred close fisted Corinthians. Araunah gave like a king, 2 Samue... [ Continue Reading ]
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Ver. 16. _Ye sent once and again_] Charity's fountain runs fresh, _More perennis aquae, _ and is never dried up. "The liberal man deviseth liberal things," and holdeth that only his own that he hath given to others. _Hoc habeo quodc... [ Continue Reading ]
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Ver. 17. _Not because I desire a gift_] As those cormorants that "with shame do love, Give ye," Hosea 4:18, as if they could speak no other but the Doric dialect, the horse leech's language. St Paul was none of these.... [ Continue Reading ]
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things _which were sent_ from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Ver. 18. _I have all_] viz. That you sent, and I give you an acquittance, which the Greeks, from the word απεχω here... [ Continue Reading ]
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Ver. 19. _But my God_] Whom I serve as an ambassador in bonds, Ephesians 6:20, and therefore surely he will repay you the sums you have sent me. _ Shall supply_] Gr. πληρωσει, shall fill up, as he did the widow... [ Continue Reading ]
Now unto God and our Father _be_ glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ver. 20. _Now unto God_] Paul cannot mention God's bounty without a doxology.... [ Continue Reading ]
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. Ver. 21. _Every saint_] A great encouragement to the meaner to be so respected.... [ Continue Reading ]
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. Ver. 22. _All the saints salute you_] Christianity is no enemy to courtesy. God's scholars are taught better manners than to neglect so much as salutations. _ They that are of Caesar's household_] When Caesar himself lived and... [ Continue Reading ]
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ _be_ with you all. Amen. _To the_ Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus. Ver. 23. _The grace of our Lord_] With this wish of grace, grace to them, he both begins and ends. Wisdom is the principal thing, Proverbs 4:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]