Here we have observable, 1. The important duty which the apostle exhorts the Philippians to; and that is, love and unity, unity in judgment and opinion, unity in heart and affection, unity in design and endeavours; so necessary and advantageous is the duty of unity and concord among all the professo... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle dissuadeth the Philippians from. double vice, destructive to unity, namely, contention and vain-glory, which are the very bane of unity and unanimity: let nothing be done amongst you through emulation and envy, through contention and vain-glory. Pride and ambition are usually attend... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle here, dissuadeth from another sin, which is very destructive of unity and peace, of concord and love; and that is, the sin of inordinate self-love, whereby we regard only our own honour and profit, wholly neglecting the concerns of others. LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS; that is, h... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, this humble mind. Here the apostle presses the duty of humility, from Christ's example; he was. perfect pattern of humility when here on earth: example therefore should recommend this grace and virtue to us, which was so orient in the life of Christ, whose humility was as conspicuous as his... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold here the greatest example of humility, of lowliness and abasement, that ever the world was acquainted with: the mighty God became less than man! To make. due estimate hereof we must first observe, What Christ was before his incarnation and humiliation, namely, the great and mighty God: for,... [ Continue Reading ]
The former verse spake of the depth of Christ's humiliation; these, of the height of his exaltation. Where observe, 1. The dignity itself conferred by God upon Christ; God EXALTED him, highly exalted him, exalted him above all exaltation, as the word signifies. Christ in his resurrection was exalte... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The commendation given by St. Paul of his beloved Philippians, for their cheerful obedience to the precepts of the gospel: they ALWAYS obeyed, that is, ever since their first conversion to christianity, not only while the apostle was upon the spot with them, but since the providence... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle seems to resume the exhortation which he began to press before, namely, to love and concord, to unity and peace, among themselves; he exhorts them, as to do all things without contention, so without MURMURINGS, and HOT DISPUTINGS, in which usually the laws of charity are violated, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold here now St. Paul, the undershepherd, imitates Christ, that great and good Shepherd, in his readiness to lay down his life for the sheep; not for their reconciliation, but for their confirmation: IF, says he, it shall please God that I BE, by martyrdom, OFFERED UPON THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle, having finished the first part of this chapter, which contained exhortations to duty, comes now to the second part of it, containing arguments of comfort; and here first he comforts the Philippians, by promising to send Timothy unto them shortly. Observe here, 1. The greatness of St. P... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having in the foregoing verses declared his resolution to send Timothy to the Philippians as soon as he should see how it would go with himself at Rome, and what would be the issue of his bonds; and having also discovered his own purpose to come himself to them, as soon as the providence... [ Continue Reading ]
Here, first, St. Paul assigns the reason why he was so careful to send back Epaphroditus to the Philippians, namely, to assuage his own grief, and to increase their joy, THAT WHEN YE SEE HIM, YE MIGHT REJOICE, AND. BE THE LESS SORROWFUL. Next, the apostle exhorts them to receive him with all joy an... [ Continue Reading ]