_Paul and Timotheus, servants of Jesus Christ_ St. Paul, writing familiarly to the Philippians, does not style himself an apostle. And under the common title of servants, he tenderly and modestly joins with himself his son Timothy, who had attended him in his general travels in those parts, had come... [ Continue Reading ]
_I thank my God upon every remembrance_ Or _mention_, as μνεια equally signifies; _of you_ Whether before the throne of grace, or when conversing with my fellow-Christians. The clause may also be rendered, _I thank my God for all your kind remembrance of me_, namely, (as he partly at least means,) w... [ Continue Reading ]
_This I pray, that your love_ To God and one another, and all mankind which you have already shown; _may abound yet more and more_ The fire which burned in the apostle's breast never says, It is enough; _in knowledge_ Arising from, and attended with, a more perfect knowledge of God, of Christ, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I would ye should understand_, &c. As if he had said, Be not discouraged at my sufferings, but observe and consider this for your encouragement; _that the things which happened unto me_ Greek, τα κατ ' εμε, _the things relating unto me:_ the apostle means his being sent a prisoner to Rome, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some indeed preach Christ even of envy_ Envying my success, or envying me that esteem and reputation which I have in the church, and seeking to gain it to themselves; _and strife_ Striving to draw people off from approving me to applaud themselves, and being desirous to maintain in the church a par... [ Continue Reading ]
_What then?_ What shall we think of these attempts, proceeding from such different principles? Shall they grieve us? No, in no wise. For, _every way, whether in pretence_ Under colour of propagating the gospel; _or in truth_ With a real design so to do; _Christ is preached_ And the great doctrine of... [ Continue Reading ]
_For to me to live is Christ_ As my life, both natural and spiritual, is from Christ, so to serve and enjoy him is the supreme end of my life, and I value it only as it is capable of being employed in glorifying him, to know, love, and follow whom, is my glory and my joy. _But if I live in the flesh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh_ In the body; _is more needful for you_ And the rest who have embraced the gospel. For, as he said to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he foresaw that _after his departure grievous wolves should enter into_ the churches, _not sparing the flock, Acts 20:29_. T... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only_ Whatever becomes of me, be you sure to mind this; that _your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ_ That is, suitable to the light and grace of it; to its doctrines, precepts, promises, ordinances, and all its privileges; answerable to the discoveries which it makes to you of yo... [ Continue Reading ]
_For unto you it is given_ Εχαρισθη, _it is granted as a favour, in the behalf of Christ_, on account of his merits and intercession, and for the promotion of his cause and interest, _not only to believe on him_, (faith itself, as well as Christ and his truth, the objects of it, being the free gift... [ Continue Reading ]