Philippians 4:1
So stand — As ye have done hitherto.... [ Continue Reading ]
So stand — As ye have done hitherto.... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech — He repeats this twice, as if speaking to each face to face, and that with the utmost tenderness.... [ Continue Reading ]
And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow — St. Paul had many fellowlabourers, but not many yokefellows. In this number was Barnabas first, and then Silas, whom he probably addresses here; for Silas had been his yokefellow at the very place, Acts 16:19. Help those women who laboured together with me... [ Continue Reading ]
Let your gentleness — Yieldingness, sweetness of temper, the result of joy in the Lord. Be known — By your whole behaviour. To all men — Good and bad, gentle and froward. Those of the roughest tempers are good natured to some, from natural sympathy and various motives; a Christian, to all. The Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
Be anxiously careful for nothing — If men are not gentle towards you, yet neither on this, nor any other account, be careful, but pray. Carefulness and prayer cannot stand together. In every thing — Great and small. Let your requests be made known — They who by a preposterous shame or distrustful mo... [ Continue Reading ]
And the peace of God — That calm, heavenly repose, that tranquility of spirit, which God only can give. Which surpasseth all understanding — Which none can comprehend, save he that receiveth it. Shall keep — Shall guard, as a garrison does a city. Your hearts — Your affections. Your minds — Your und... [ Continue Reading ]
Finally — To sum up all. Whatsoever things are true — Here are eight particulars placed in two fourfold rows; the former containing their duty; the latter, the commendation of it. The first word in the former row answers the first in the latter; the second word, the second and so on. True — In speec... [ Continue Reading ]
The things which ye have learned — As catechumens. And received — By continual instructions. And heard and seen — In my life and conversation. These do, and the God of peace shall be with you — Not only the peace of God, but God himself, the fountain of peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
I rejoiced greatly — St. Paul was no Stoic: he had strong passions, but all devoted to God. That your care of me hath flourished again — As a tree blossoms after the winter. Ye wanted opportunity — Either ye had not plenty yourselves, or you wanted a proper messenger.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have learned — From God. He only can teach this. In everything, therewith to be content — Joyfully and thankfully patient. Nothing less is Christian content. We may observe a beautiful gradation in the expressions, I have learned; I know; I am instructed; I can.... [ Continue Reading ]
I know how to be abased — Having scarce what is needful for my body. And to abound — Having wherewith to relieve others also. Presently after, the order of the words is inverted, to intimate his frequent transition from scarcity to plenty, and from plenty to scarcity. I am instructed — Literally, I... [ Continue Reading ]
I can do all things — Even fulfil all the will of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the beginning of the gospel — When it was first preached at Philippi. In respect of giving — On your part. And receiving — On mine.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that I desire — For my own sake, the very gift which I receive of you.... [ Continue Reading ]
An odour of a sweet smell — More pleasing to God than the sweetest perfumes to men.... [ Continue Reading ]
All your need — As ye have mine. According to his riches in glory — In his abundant, eternal glory.... [ Continue Reading ]