Philippians 4:23

The grace So every Epistle of St Paul's closes, or almost closes. In the Ep. to the Romans this benediction occurs twice; Romans 16:20; Romans 16:24. The exact form found here occurs also Galatians 6:18; Philemon 1:25. Observe the deeply implied testimony to the Divine glory of the Saviour, who is mentioned here alone, and in conclusion, as the Fountain of grace.

with you all Read, with your spirit: the inmost basis of the life and will of man, and here of regenerate man. That "spirit" is not annulled, or absorbed, by the Divine power; the "grace" is to be "with" it (cp. 1 Corinthians 15:10). But it is also to be "in" it (see Philippians 2:12 above), possessing, assimilating, transforming, into the likeness of Him whose presence and power isgrace.

Amen The word is probably to be omitted from the text. But though the Apostle did not write it, the reader can supply it as his own response.

The Subscription

It was written … by Epaphroditus "Written by" is, of course, "sent by means of, by the hand of." The words obviously give the facts of the case correctly. It is equally obvious that they were not in the original copies. Of the many varying "Subscriptions" in extant MSS., the shortest appears to be the oldest; To the Philippians (Philippesians; see on Philippians 4:15 above). Others are, It was written from Rome; It was written &c. by Epaphroditus, or, in one case, by Epaphroditus and Timotheus. In one MS. appears [The Epistle] to the Philippians is fulfilled, in another, is finished.

On the Subscriptions to St Paul's Epistles, see Scrivener's Introduction to the Criticism of the N.T.(Ed. 1883, p. 62). They are ascribed (in their longer form) to Euthalius, a bishop of the fifth century. See further, note in this Series on the Subscription to the Epistle to the Ephesians.