1_If there is therefore any consolation_. There is an extraordinary tenderness in this exhortation, (93) in which he entreats by all means the Philippians mutually to cherish harmony among themselves, lest, in the event of their being torn asunder by intestine contentions, they should expose themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
2_Fulfil ye my joy_. Here again we may see how little anxiety he had as to himself, provided only it went well with the Church of Christ. He was kept shut up in prison, and bound with chains; he was reckoned worthy of capital punishment — before his view were tortures — near at hand was the executio... [ Continue Reading ]
3_Nothing through strife or vain-glory_. These are two most dangerous pests for disturbing the peace of the Church. _Strife _is awakened when every one is prepared to maintain pertinaciously his own opinion; and when it has once begun to rage it rushes headlong (98) in the direction from which it ha... [ Continue Reading ]
5. He now recommends, from the example of Christ, the exercise of humility, to which he had exhorted them in words. There are, however, two departments, in the _first _of which he invites us to imitate Christ, because this is the rule of life: (102) in the _second_, he allures us to it, because this... [ Continue Reading ]
6_Inasmuch as he was in the form of God. _This is not a comparison between things similar, but in the way of greater and less. _Christ’s _humility consisted in his abasing himself from the highest pinnacle of glory to the lowest ignominy: _our _humility consists in refraining from exalting ourselves... [ Continue Reading ]
7_Emptied himself. _This _emptying _is the same as the abasement, as to which we shall see afterwards. The expression, however, is used, ευμφατικωτέρως, (_more emphatically_,) to mean, — being brought to nothing. Christ, indeed, could not divest himself of Godhead; but he kept it concealed for a tim... [ Continue Reading ]
8_He became obedient_. Even this was great humility — that from being Lord he became a servant; but he says that he went farther than this, because, while he was not only immortal, but the Lord of life and death, he nevertheless became obedient to his Father, even so far as to endure death. This was... [ Continue Reading ]
9_Therefore God hath highly exalted_. By adding consolation, he shews that abasement, to which the human mind is averse, is in the highest degree desirable. There is no one, it is true, but will acknowledge that it is a reasonable thing that is required from us, when we are exhorted to imitate Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
10_Every knee might bow_. Though respect is shewn to men also be means of this rite, there can nevertheless be no doubt that what is here meant is that adoration which belongs exclusively to God, of which the bending of the knee is a token. (116) As to this, it is proper to notice, that God is to be... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. _It might also be read, _In the glory_, because the particle εἰς (to) is often used in place of ἐν (_in_.) I prefer, however, to retain its proper signification, as meaning, that as the majesty of God has been manifested to men through Christ, so it shines... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Therefore_, _etc_. He concludes the whole of the preceding exhortation with a general statement — that they should humble themselves under the Lord’s hand, for that will very readily secure, that, laying aside all arrogance, they will be gentle and indulgent to each other. This is the only befitt... [ Continue Reading ]
13_It is God that worketh_. This is the true engine for bringing down all haughtiness — this the sword for putting an end to all pride, when we are taught that we are utterly nothing, and can do nothing, except through the grace of God alone. I mean supernatural grace, which comes forth from the spi... [ Continue Reading ]
14_Without murmurings_. These are fruits of that humility to which he had exhorted them. For every man that has learned carefully to submit himself to God, without claiming anything for himself, will also conduct himself agreeably among men. When every one makes it his care to please himself, two fa... [ Continue Reading ]
15_The sons of God, unreprovable_. It ought to be rendered — _unreprovable_, because _ye are the sons of God. _For God’s adoption of us ought to be a motive to a blameless life, that we may in some degree resemble our Father. Now, although there never has been such perfection in the world as to have... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Holding forth the word of life _The reason why they ought to be luminaries is, that they carry the _word of life, _by which they are enlightened, that they may give light also to others. Now he alludes to lamps, in which wicks are placed that they may burn, and he makes us resemble the lamps; whi... [ Continue Reading ]
17_If I should be offered. _(138) The Greek word is σπένδομαι, and accordingly there appears to be an allusion to those animals, by the slaughter of which agreements and treaties were confirmed among the ancients. For the Greeks specially employ the term σπονδὰς to denote the victims by which treati... [ Continue Reading ]
18_Rejoice ye_. By the alacrity which he thus discovers, he encourages the Philippians, and enkindles in them a desire to meet death with firmness, (142) inasmuch as believers suffer no harm from it. For he has formerly taught them that death would be _gain _to himself, (Philippians 1:21;) here, on... [ Continue Reading ]
19_But I hope_. He promises them the coming of Timothy, that, from their expecting him, they may bear up more courageously, and not give way to impostors. For as in war an expectation of help animates soldiers, so as to keep them from giving way, so this consideration, too, was fitted to encourage g... [ Continue Reading ]
20_I have no man like-minded_. While some draw another meaning from the passage, I interpret it thus: “I have no one equally well-affected for attending to your interests.” For Paul, in my opinion, compares Timothy with others, rather than with himself, and he pronounces this eulogium upon him, with... [ Continue Reading ]
21_For all seek their own things_. He does not speak of those who had openly abandoned the pursuit of piety, but of those very persons whom he reckoned brethren, nay, even those whom he admitted to familiar intercourse with him. These persons, he nevertheless says, were so warm in the pursuit of the... [ Continue Reading ]
22_But the proof_. It is literally, _ye know the proof of him_, unless you prefer to understand it in the imperative mood, _know ye_; (for there had scarcely been opportunity during that short time to make trial,) but this is not of great moment. What is chiefly to be noticed is, that he furnishes T... [ Continue Reading ]
24_I trust that I myself_. He adds this, too, lest they should imagine that anything had happened to change his intention as to the journey of which he had previously made mention. At the same time, he always speaks conditionally — _If it shall please the Lord_. For although he expected deliverance... [ Continue Reading ]
25_I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus_. After having encouraged them by the promise of his own coming and that of Timothy, he fortifies them also for the present, by sending previously Epaphroditus, that in the mean time, while he waited the issue of his own affairs, (for this was th... [ Continue Reading ]
26._He longed after you_. It is a sign of a true pastor, that while he was at a great distance, and was willingly detained by a pious engagement, he was nevertheless affected with concern for his flock, and a longing after them; and on learning that his sheep were distressed on his account, (154) he... [ Continue Reading ]
27_But God had mercy on him_. He had expressed the severity of the disease — that Epaphroditus had been sick, so that life was despaired of, in order that the goodness of God might shine forth more clearly in his restored health. It is, however, surprising that he should ascribe it to the mercy of G... [ Continue Reading ]
28_I have sent him the more carefully_. The presence of Epaphroditus was no small consolation to him; yet to such a degree did he prefer the welfare of the Philippians to his own advantage, that he says that he rejoices on occasion of his departure, because it grieved him that, on his account, he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
29_Receive him with all joy_. He employs the word _all _to mean sincere and abundant. He also recommends him again to the Philippians; so intent is he upon this, that all that approve themselves as good and faithful pastors may be held in the highest estimation: for he does not speak merely of one,... [ Continue Reading ]
30_Because for the work of Christ_. I consider this as referring to that infirmity, which he had drawn down upon himself by incessant assiduity. Hence he reckons the distemper of Epaphroditus among his excellences, as it certainly was a signal token of his ardent zeal. Sickness, indeed, is not an ex... [ Continue Reading ]