Observe here, 1. The loving, affectionate, and endearing compellations which St. Paul bestows upon his beloved Philippians: he calls them his BRETHERN twice, in one verse, HIS DEARLY BELOVED AND LONGED FOR, HIS JOY AND CROWN; thereby testifying his fervent affection towards them, his passionate long... [ Continue Reading ]
The former verse was an exhortation to constancy; this to concord. Here observe, 1. The persons exhorted to the duty; two women of eminent note in the church, Euodias and Syntyche, who LABOURED with him in the gospel, that is, in offices proper to their sex, not in public preaching, but in private... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty exhorted to: Christian cheerfulness and joy;. duty which glorifies God, adorns religion, is beneficial to ourselves, by enabling us to bear afflictions, to glory in them, and to triumph over them. Observe, 2. The object of this duty,. glorious and replenishing object; Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, let your mildness and gentleness towards others, your meekness and patience under your own trials, be very conspicuous, because the Lord is at hand to execute judgment on his own crucifiers, and on the persecutors of his own people. Learn, That the consideration of the certainty and sudden... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty exhorted to, namely, to be anxiously and solicitously careful for nothing; it is not care, but carefulness, that is, inordinate care, heart-cutting, distracting, and soul-rending care, and solicitude, which is here forbidden: there is. prudent, provident care for the things... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have. very comprehensive precept, describing the duties of all christians: WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE; truth is the principal character of our profession, and is to be expressed in our words and actions. WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, VENERABLE, OR GRAVE; that is, answer the dignity of our h... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, 1. With what great confidence and good assurance St. Paul here recommended his own practice and example to his people's imitation: all those things which he had by his doctrine and life commended to them, were to be carefully observed and imitated by them. It is. blessed thing, when. people... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle being now come to the conclusion of this epistle, acquaints the Philippians with what great joy he had received their charity sent unto him; and that it came no sooner, he believed did not proceed from any disrespect towards him, but only for want of either ability or opportunity of send... [ Continue Reading ]
Although our apostle had declared in the foregoing verses, that he had fully learnt the lesson of contentment in all conditions, and could bear poverty and want without complaining, yet withal he assures them here, that they did well in sending such supplies to him in prison by Epaphroditus, as they... [ Continue Reading ]
Here remark, 1. The modesty and great ingenuity of the apostle, in assuring them, that his praising their liberality so much was not upon design to get more: NOT BECAUSE. DESIRE. GIFT; that is, any further gift for my own private advantage;. am far from the thought of spunging upon you: but. aim at... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. The endearing title given to Almighty God, GOD OUR FATHER; the word FATHER is. title of great honour; the word OUR is. word of singular comfort. The appropriating positive terms, MINE, THINE, OURS, have. great sweetness in them, and breathe abundance of affection. As Luther used to say... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle closes this letter with respectful salutations; he salutes in his own name all and every saint in Christ Jesus; the soul of the poorest and meanest saint was not neglected by this great apostle: he loved the brotherhood, the whole fraternity of believers, the whole society of saints. All... [ Continue Reading ]
He shuts up all with the usual apostolical valediction: by GRACE, we are to understand the free favour of God, as the fountain; and all good things, as so many streams flowing from that fountain; this is called THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, because purchased by his merit, and applied by his in... [ Continue Reading ]