IF (ε). Paul uses four conditions in this verse, all of the first class, assuming the condition to be true.COMFORT (παρακλησις). Rather, "ground of appeal to you in Christ." See 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1.CONSOLATION (παραμυθιον). Old word from παραμυθεομα, persuasive address, incentiv... [ Continue Reading ]
FULFIL (πληρωσατε). Better here, "fill full." Paul's cup of joy will be full if the Philippians will only keep on having unity of thought and feeling (το αυτο φρονητε, present active subjunctive, keep on thinking the same thing).BEING OF ONE ACCORD (συνψυχο). Late word here for the first time,... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH VAINGLORY (κατα κενοδοξιαν). Late word, only here in N.T., from κενοδοξος (κενοσ, δοξα, Galatians 5:26, only here in N.T.), empty pride.IN LOWLINESS OF MIND (τη ταπεινοφροσυνη). Late and rare word. Not in O.T. or early Greek writers. In Josephus and Epictetus in bad sense (pusillanimity)... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKING (σκοπουντες). Present active participle of σκοπεω from σκοπος (aim, goal). Not keeping an eye on the main chance for number one, but for the good of others.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE THIS MIND IN YOU (τουτο φρονειτε εν υμιν). "Keep on thinking this in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (ο κα εν Χριστω Ιησου). What is that? Humility. Paul presents Jesus as the supreme example of humility. He urges humility on the Philippians as the only way to secure unity.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING (υπαρχων). Rather, "existing," present active participle of υπαρχω. In the form of God (εν μορφη θεου). Μορφη means the essential attributes as shown in the form. In his preincarnate state Christ possessed the attributes of God and so appeared to those in heaven who saw him. Here is a clear... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FORM OF A SERVANT (μορφην δουλου). He took the characteristic attributes (μορφην as in verse Philippians 2:6) of a slave. His humanity was as real as his deity.IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN (εν ομοιωματ ανθρωπων). It was a likeness, but a real likeness (Kennedy), no mere phantom humanity as the Do... [ Continue Reading ]
IN FASHION (σχηματ). Locative case of σχημα, from εχω, to have, to hold. Bengel explains μορφη by _forma_, ομοιωμα by _similitudo_, σχημα by _habitus_. Here with σχημα the contrast "is between what He is in Himself, and what He _appeared_ in the eyes of men" (Lightfoot).HE HUMBLED HIMSELF (εταπ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (διο). Because of which act of voluntary and supreme humility.HIGHLY EXALTED (υπερυψωσε). First aorist indicative of υπερυψοω (υπερ and υψος) late and rare word (LXX and Byzantine). Here only in N.T. Because of Christ's voluntary humiliation God lifted him above or beyond (υπερ) the s... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW (ινα εν τω ονοματ Ιησου παν γονυ καμψη). First aorist active subjunctive of καμπτω, old verb, to bend, to bow, in purpose clause with ινα. Not perfunctory genuflections whenever the name of Jesus is mentioned, but universal acknowledgment of the maj... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD CONFESS (εξομολογησητα). First aorist middle subjunctive of εξομολογεομα with ινα for purpose.LORD (Κυριος). Peter (Acts 2:36) claimed that God made Christ "Lord." See also 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 10:9. Kennedy laments that the term Lord has become one of the most l... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY (μη ως εν τη παρουσια μονον). B and a few other MSS. omit ως. The negative μη goes with the imperative κατεργαζεσθε (work out), not with υπηκουσατε (obeyed) which would call for ουχ.MUCH MORE (πολλω μαλλον). They are not to render eye-service only when Paul is there,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WORKETH IN YOU (ο ενεργων εν υμιν). Articular present active participle of ενεργεω from ενεργος (εν, εργον) one at work, common verb from Aristotle on, to be at work, to energize. God is the Energy and the Energizer of the universe. Modern scientists, like Eddington, Jeans, and Whitney, are... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT MURMURINGS (χωρις γογγυσμων). See on Acts 6:1 for this late onomatopoetic word from γογγυζω, to mutter, to grumble.DISPUTINGS (διαλογισμων). Or questionings as in Luke 24:38. The grumblings led to disputes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY BE (ινα γενησθε). Rather, "that ye may become" (second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομα, to become).BLAMELESS (αμεμπτο). Free from censure (μεμφομα, to blame).HARMLESS (ακεραιο). Unmixed, unadulterated as in Romans 16:19.WITHOUT BLEMISH (αμωμα). Without spot, "unblemished in... [ Continue Reading ]
AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω). As luminaries like the heavenly bodies. Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) as they reflect the light from Christ (John 1:4; John 8:12), but here the word is not φως (light), but φωστηρες (luminaries, stars). The place for light is t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF I AM OFFERED (ε κα σπενδομα). Though I am poured out as a libation. Old word. In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 4:6. Paul pictures his life-blood as being poured upon (uncertain whether heathen or Jewish offerings meant and not important) the sacrifice and service of the faith of the Philipp... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I ALSO MAY BE OF GOOD COMFORT (ινα καγω ευψυχω). Present subjunctive with ινα in purpose clause of the late and rare verb ευψυχεω, from ευψυχος (cheerful, of good spirit). In papyri and ευψυχε (be of good cheer) common in sepulchral inscriptions.WHEN I KNOW (γνους). Second aorist active pa... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEMINDED (ισοψυχον). Old, but very rare adjective (ισοσ, ψυχη), like ισοτιμος in 2 Peter 1:1. Only here in N.T. Likeminded with Timothy, not with Paul.TRULY (γνησιως). "Genuinely." Old adverb, only here in N.T., from γνησιος (Philippians 4:3), legitimate birth, not spurious.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ALL (ο παντες). "The whole of them." Surely Luke was away from Rome at this juncture.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROOF (την δοκιμην). "The test" as of metals (2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 9:13). Three times they had seen Timothy (Acts 16:13; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3).WITH ME (συν εμο). Paul's delicacy of feeling made him use συν rather than εμο alone. Timothy did not serve Paul.IN FURTHERANCE OF (ε... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SOON AS I SHALL SEE (ως αν αφιδω). Indefinite temporal clause with ως αν and the second aorist active subjunctive of αφοραω. The oldest MSS. (Aleph A B D) have αφιδω (old aspirated form) rather than απιδω.HOW IT WILL GO WITH ME (τα περ εμε). On the force of απο with οραω (look away) see Hebr... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LORD (εν Κυριω). Not a perfunctory use of this phrase. Paul's whole life is centred in Christ (Galatians 2:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
I COUNTED IT (ηγησαμην). Epistolary aorist from the point of view of the readers.EPAPHRODITUS (Επαφροδιτον). Common name, though only in Philippians in N.T., contracted into Epaphras, though not the same man as Epaphras in Colossians 1:7. Note one article τον (the) with the three epithets given... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LONGED AFTER (επιποθων ην). Periphrastic imperfect of επιποθεω (Philippians 1:8), "he was yearning after."YOU ALL (παντας υμας). So again (Philippians 1:5; Philippians 1:7; Philippians 1:8).WAS SORE TROUBLED (αδημονων). Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat ην) of the old word αδημονεω eithe... [ Continue Reading ]
YE MAY REJOICE (χαρητε). Second aorist passive subjunctive with ινα in final clause of χαιρω, to rejoice.THAT I MAY BE THE LESS SORROWFUL (καγω αλυποτερος ω). Present subjunctive with ινα and comparative of old compound adjective αλυπος (α privative and λυπη, more free from grief). Beautiful ex... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HONOUR (εντιμους). Old compound adjective (εν, τιμη), prized, precious (Luke 7:2; Luke 14:8; 1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:6). Predicate accusative. Noble plea in behalf of Christ's minister.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAZARDING HIS LIFE (παραβολευσαμενος τη ψυχη). First aorist middle participle of παραβολευω (from the adjective παραβολος), to place beside. The old Greek writers used παραβαλλομα, to expose oneself to danger. But Deissmann (_Light from the Ancient East_, p. 88) cites an example of παραβολευσαμεν... [ Continue Reading ]