_HE EXHORTETH THEM TO UNITY, AND TO ALL HUMBLENESS OF MIND, BY THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST'S HUMILITY AND EXALTATION: TO A CAREFUL PROCEEDING IN THE WAY OF SALVATION; THAT THEY BE AS LIGHTS TO THE WICKED WORLD, AND COMFORTS TO HIM THEIR APOSTLE, WHO IS NOW READY TO BE OFFERED UP TO GOD: HE HOPETH TO SEND... [ Continue Reading ]
IF—THEREFORE— This _therefore_ seems to have a reference to what he had before declared, ch. Philippians 1:25 of his willingness to continue yet longer in the flesh for their sakes; and the connection will stand thus: "I am contented, as you may perceive, by what I have said, to abide longer in this... [ Continue Reading ]
FULFIL YE MY JOY,— He had told them, ch. Philippians 1:25 that his coming again to them would be for the promotion of the _joy of their faith:_ now in these words he demands of them a suitable return; and that they would by their behaviour _promote his joy._ See Romans 1:11. Dr. Doddridge translates... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LOWLINESS OF MIND, &C.— Though Christians of eminent gifts and graces may, and cannot but account their attainments to be superior to others of the lower class, as the Apostle speaks of his own gifts and labours; yet, like him, they ought to be humble in ascribing no glory to themselves, but all... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK NOT EVERY MAN, &C.— "Let no one among you be only solicitous for his own profit; but let every one desire, and, as he has opportunity, further the profit of others." See Philippians 2:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU,— _For the same temper of mind ought to be in you which was in Christ Jesus._ Heylin. To support his doctrine, and to enforce obedience to it, the Apostle sets before the Philippians the example of Christ, and in livelycolours represents his great humility: he shews them how... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO, BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD, &C.— "Who, being possessed of the divine nature, and of all its essential perfections, as the Son of God, and as the _brightness of the Father's glory, and express image of his person_ (Hebrews 1:3.); and so really, and in the strictest sense, God, in the true and prop... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, &C.— "Nevertheless (αλλα) he was pleased, by a most wonderful act of condescension, so far to disrobe, and, as it were empty himself, of the bright appearances of his divine majesty and glory, as not to make a pompous shew of them, but, in great measure, to conceal... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION, &C.— "And when he was found in the common form and condition of man, as though he had been nothing more, he submitted himself to the lowest degree of service and sufferings; and went into a course of the most humble obedience, as to his parents and magistrates, in all law... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE GOD ALSO, &C.— "And having fulfilled his work of atonement in this humble, obediential, and suffering manner, God his Father, as a reward of all this, according to its deserts, has gloriously exalted him, not by advancing him to a state of greater essential happiness, perfection, or glory,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED,— If St. Paul's discourse, here is read with attention, it will be found, that having dispatched his argument from the example of Christ, he comes now, to apply it to the purpose for which he brought it; namely, to press upon them that kind and friendly temper and behaviour tow... [ Continue Reading ]
AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD;— _As light-houses;_ according to the original word, which alludes to the _buildings_ so called. The passage in this view may be paraphrased, "Among whom be careful that you shine as elevated lights in the dark world about you; that you may direct those who fail on this danger... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLDING FORTH, &C.— _Holding fast—that I may glory._... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, AND IF I BE OFFERED, &C.— The proper import of the words rendered _offered upon,_ is, "to be _poured forth,_ as a libation." Almost every reader must know, that as _oil_ and _wine_ made a part of the provisions of the table which God had ordained in the Jewish ritual, a proportionable quantity... [ Continue Reading ]
_PHILIPPIANS 2:19_.— St. Paul, having declared his readiness to lay down his life to serve the Philippians, (amongthe other Gentile churches which were in the like circumstances) seems to have apprehended how tenderly they would take his mentioning such a thing to them; and therefore, to prevent the... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN LIKE-MINDED,— _"No man of a like disposition; who will_ so _naturally,_ with such a generous tenderness and concern, _take care of your affairs."_ Some understand the words in the sense of the marginal reading of our bibles, _I have no man so dear unto me:_ "No man whom I value as myself, _as... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL SEEK THEIR OWN,— It can hardly be supposed that St. Paul intended here absolutely to tax every one of those who were about him, and assisted him in preaching the gospel, with an utter neglect of this interest of Christ, and an entire self-seeking. The word ου which we render _not,_ might per... [ Continue Reading ]
YE KNOW THE PROOF— _The experience._... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YOUR MESSENGER, &C.— _But your Apostle, and who is now to act for me with you;_ or, _the ready minister to the relief of my necessities,_ by whose faithful hand I received that liberal supply, which your pious friendship so cheerfully advanced.... [ Continue Reading ]
SORROW UPON SORROW.— Some think the meaning is, _"Sorrow_ for Epaphroditus's death, _upon sorrow_ for his sickness." This may well be allowed, without excluding the other circumstances of St. Paul's situation; for the loss of such an excellent person,—and especially when his attending and serving th... [ Continue Reading ]
I SENT HIM— _I have sent him._ The Vulgate renders the word Σπουδαιοτερως, which we translate _the more carefully,_ by _festinantius,_—the _more speedily;_ which seems best to agree with the Apostle's design: nor is it unreasonable to suppose that this word should respect _time,_ since all its conju... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT REGARDING HIS LIFE,— _Hazarding his life—_ Παραβουλευσαμενος, exposing his life to the utmost danger; as they did, who took care of people infected with the pestilence, and who were called _parabolani,_ or _parabolarii;_ or as they did, who fought with wild beasts. The next clause may be rendere... [ Continue Reading ]