Philippians 1:10

That Better, as better marking a close sequence on the last clause, so that.

approve Better, in modern English, test. The spiritual "judgment" was to be thus applied.

things that are excellent "the things, &c." R.V. An alternative rendering is, that ye may prove (test) the things that differ; so margin R.V.; "that you may use your spiritual judgment in separating truth from its counterfeit, or distortion." The two renderings come to much the same; for the "approval of the excellent thing" would be the immediate result of the "detection of its difference." We prefer the margin R.V., however; first, as giving to the verb its rather more natural meaning, and then, as most congruous to the last previous thought, the growth of "judgment."

that ye may be It is implied that the process of "discernment" would never be merely speculative. It would be always carried into motive and conduct.

sincere The idea of the Greek word is that of clearness, disengagement from complications. One derivation (favoured by Bp Lightfoot here) is military; from the orderly separatenessof marshalled ranks. Another and commoner one is solar; from the detection of pollution by sunlight, with the thought of the clearness of what has passed such a test well. The word "sincere" (from Lat. sincerus) has a possible connexion with "sin-gle," and so with the idea of separation, disengagement, straightness of purpose. In Latin, it is the equivalent to our "unadulterated."

without offence I.e., "without stumbling-block" (Lat., offendiculum). Our common meaning of "offence," with its special reference to grievances and pique, must be banished from thought in reading the English Bible. There these words are always used to represent original words referring to obstacles, stumbling, and the like. So e.g. 2 Corinthians 6:3, "giving no offence" means, presenting no obstacle such as to upset the Christian principle or practice of others. "Without offence" here (one word in the Greek) may mean, grammatically, either "experiencingno such obstacle" or "presentingnone." The word occurs elsewhere only Act 24:16; 1 Corinthians 10:32; and the evidence of these passages is exactly divided. On the whole the context here decides for the former alternative. The Apostle is more concerned at present with the inner motives than the outer example of the Philippians: he prays that the simplicity (sincerity) of their spiritual relations with God may be such as never to "upset" the inner workings of will and purpose. Tyndale and Cranmer render here, "that ye may be pure, and such as (should) hurt no man's conscience;" Geneva, "that ye may be pure, and go forward without any let." So Beza's Latin version.

till the day of Christ Lit. unto, &c.; "against, in view of, the great crisis of eternal award." Song of Solomon 2:16, where see note. On the phrase "the dayof Christ" see note on Philippians 1:6, above.