Philippians 4:1

N. FAMILY AFFECTION OF CHRISTIANITY. (CH. Philippians 4:1)

“WHILE the great motives of the Gospel reduce the multiplicity and confusion of the passions by their commanding force, they do, by the very same energy, expand all sensibilities; or, if we might so speak, send the pulse of life with vigour through the finer vessels of the moral system: there is far less apathy, and a far more equable consciousness in the mind, after it has admitted Christianity, than before; and, by necessary consequence, there is more individuality, because more life. Christians, therefore, while they understand each other better than other men do, possess a greater stock of sentiment to make the subject of converse, than others. The comparison of heart to heart knits heart to heart, and communicates to friendship very much that is sweet and intense.…
“So far as Christians truly exhibit the characteristics of their Lord, in spirit and conduct, a vivid emotion is enkindled in other Christian bosoms, as if the bright Original of all perfection stood dimly revealed.… The conclusion comes upon the mind … that this family resemblance … springs from a common centre, and that there exists, as its archetype, an invisible Personage, of whose glory all are, in a measure, partaking.”

ISAAC TAYLOR, of Ongar; Saturday Evening, ch. 19

O.

PHILIPPI AND THE EPISTLE (CH. Philippians 4:18.) From an essay by Prof. J. Agar Beet, in The Expositor (January, 1889), I extract the closing sentences:—

“With this reply [the Epistle], a gift infinitely more precious than that he brought from Philippi, Epaphroditus starts on his homeward journey. The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the Church at Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the Church itself passes from our view. To-day, in silent meadows quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive Church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that Church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation, the letter written in a dungeon at Rome and carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light Divine, and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths in life. As I watch, and myself rejoice in, the brightness of that far-shining light, and glance at those silent ruins, I see fulfilled an ancient prophecy: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

1. Ὥστε. The word is frequent in St Paul to introduce an inference. He has now to infer much from the glorious data just stated.

ἀγαπητοὶ. A word characteristic of the Gospel of love, and used by all the apostolic writers. St Paul has it 27 times.

ἐπιπόθητοι. The word is found here only in N.T. Ἐπιποθεῖν is used not seldom in LXX. In this Epistle it occurs Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:26; and ἐπιποθία, Romans 15:23, ἐπιποθίαν ἔχων τοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς: and ἐπιπόθνσις, 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 7:11.

χαπὰ καὶ στέφανός μου. Cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, τίς γὰρ ἡμῶν … χαρὰ ἤ στέφανος καυχήσεως; … ὑμεῖς ἐστὲ ἡ δόξα ἡμῶν καὶ ἡ χαπά: words addressed to the sister Macedonian Church. Here, as there, he is looking forward to the Lord’s Return, and to a joyful recognition of his converts then.

οὕτως. In the faith and in the practice just expounded.

στήκετε. For this verb see above, note on Philippians 1:27. Cp. 1 Corinthians 16:13, στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει: 1 Thessalonians 3:8, νῦν ζῶμεν, ἐὰν ὑμεῖς στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ: and see Galatians 5:1.

ἐν κυρίῳ. In recollection and use of your vital union with Him, as your righteousness and your hope.

ἀγαπητοί. He can hardly say the last word of love.