[1. Introduction (Philippians 1:1). (1) SALUTATION (Philippians 1:1). (2) THANKSGIVING for their “fellowship in the gospel,” uttered in perfect confidence and in deep personal affection (Philippians 1:3). (3) PRAYER for their growth in knowledge and judgment, which may guard them from “offenc... [ Continue Reading ]
(1) PAUL AND TIMOTHEUS, (THE) SERVANTS OF JESUS CHRIST. — To the Philippian, as to the Thessalonian Church (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1), St. Paul does not think it needful to assert his apostleship; but writes, in a tone of affectionate and confident familiarity, as to those whom h... [ Continue Reading ]
[2. Statement of St. Paul’s condition at Rome (Philippians 1:12). (1) THE RAPID PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL through his bonds, and through the preaching of others, whether in strife or in goodwill (Philippians 1:12). (2) HIS REJOICING THEREAT; his desire to depart and be with Christ, and his confiden... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK MY GOD... — These verses more accurately rendered will run thus: _I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you at all times, in every prayer of mine for you all, uttering that prayer with joy_ — _i.e.,_ with joyful confidence. The sense, however, is not materially altered. The emphatic earn... [ Continue Reading ]
(3-8) In these verses St. Paul strikes that keynote of joy and confidence, which is dominant throughout the whole Epistle, and which is singularly remarkable when we remember that it was written in captivity, in enforced absence from the familiar and well-loved scenes of his apostolic labour, and wi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL. — More properly, _towards the gospel,_ or, _as affecting the gospel._ The construction is illustrated by the more limited use of the same Greek word (as in Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13) in the sense of “contribution”; in which case the word “towards” introduces... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE WHO HATH BEGUN (or rather, _who began_) A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL ALSO (see margin) FINISH IT. — The ground of St. Paul’s confidence in their perseverance is the belief that it was God’s grace which began the good work in them, and that, not being resisted (as was obvious by their enthusiasm f... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS MEET. — Rather, _it is but right,_ or _just; it is but your due._ TO THINK THIS OF YOU ALL. — Rather, _to be in this mind; to have this feeling on behalf of you all._ The word here rendered “to think” is used with especial frequency in this Epistle (see Philippians 2:2; Philippians 2:5; Philip... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS MY RECORD. — We have a similar adjuration in Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:10. These instances show in what sense St. Paul interpreted such commands as the “swear not at all” of Matthew 5:34. IN THE BOWELS OF JESUS CHRIST. — The use of the word, which... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE IN KNOWLEDGE. — The original verb here signifies to “overflow,” a sense which our word “abound” properly has, but has in general usage partially lost; and St. Paul’s meaning clearly is that love shall not only primarily fill the heart, but “overflow” in second... [ Continue Reading ]
If we study carefully the opening thanksgivings and prayers of St. Paul’s Epistles, we may note that he always thanks God for what is strong in the Church to which he writes, and prays God for the supply of that in which it is weak. Here he thanks God for the characteristic enthusiasm and large-hear... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY BE SINCERE AND WITHOUT OFFENCE. — This St. Paul contemplates as the result of thoughtful and discriminating judgment. The word “sincere” (used only here and in 2 Peter 1:3), and the corresponding substantive, “sincerity” (1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 2:17), althou... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is an Old Testament phrase (see Proverbs 11:30; Amos 6:12), used also in James 3:18; Hebrews 12:11. It may mean (as in these last two passages) “righteousness as a result,” or (in the common sense of “fruit”) the “result of righteousness.” As the participle is properly “h... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THINGS WHICH HAPPENED UNTO ME — _viz.,_ since he parted from them (see Acts 20:6) — his arrest at Jerusalem, and the long captivity of years, first at Cæsarea, then at Rome. Nothing could have appeared to be a more fatal blow to the progress of the gospel; but St. Paul assures them that “rather”... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BONDS IN CHRIST ARE MANIFEST. — Properly, _My bonds are made manifest as in Christ_ — _i.e.,_ my captivity is understood as being a part of my Christian life and work, and so becomes a starting-point for the preaching of the gospel. So St. Paul made it to the Jews (Acts 28:20), “For the hope of I... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY (properly, _the greater number_) OF THE BRETHREN IN THE LORD. — The words “in the Lord” should be connected with “trusting,” as in Philippians 2:24; Galatians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:4. As connected with the word “brethren,” they are unmeaning; whereas St. Paul constantly uses them (especia... [ Continue Reading ]
OF ENVY AND STRIFE. — Explained below as of “contention,” or, more properly (as in Philippians 2:3, and in Romans 2:8; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20), of _factiousness,_ or “party spirit.” It seems impossible to doubt that this refers to the Judaising party, St. Paul’s old antagonists. The who... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT SINCERELY. — This version conveys an incorrect impression. The original is “not purely,” _i.e._, not with unmixed and single-minded enthusiasm for Christ. St. Paul does not impute to them hypocrisy, but an admixture of partisanship, and therefore of a narrow-minded hostility to him. TO ADD AFFLI... [ Continue Reading ]
The contrast of this verse with such passages as 2 Corinthians 12:4 — where the Judaisers at Corinth are said to preach “another Jesus and a different gospel;” with Galatians 1:6 — where their gospel is declared to be “a different gospel,” and not merely a variety of the same (see Note there); and e... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL TURN TO MY SALVATION. — Or, literally, _shall issue in salvation to me._ The word “salvation” does not appear to be used here in its ordinary sense, that is, of primary or ultimate salvation from sin in Christ, but in the sense of “safety.” The enemies of the Apostle thought to stir up fresh d... [ Continue Reading ]
(19-24) In these verses, under the power of that feeling of joy of which he speaks above, St. Paul unveils to the Philippians his most sacred aspirations and convictions, and the division of feeling in his own soul between longing for rest and consciousness of work yet to be done. There is a still f... [ Continue Reading ]
MY EARNEST EXPECTATION. — The word is only found here and in Romans 8:19 (where see Note). It implies an intense and almost painful longing for some crisis, a dulness of suspense lighted up with hope. The phrase is one of the many indications that the joyful and confident tone so often noticed in th... [ Continue Reading ]
TO LIVE IS CHRIST. — This, of course, means “Christ is my life,” yet not in the sense that He is the source and principle of life in us, but that the whole concrete state of life is so lived in Him that it becomes a simple manifestation of His presence. The opposition in the passage is between the s... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I LIVE IN THE FLESH... — The translation of this verse in the Authorised version is inaccurate, and perhaps a gloss to soften the difficulty of the original. The exact translation is, _But if to live in the flesh this is to me a fruit of work, and what_ (or, _what also_)_ I shall choose I kno... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING A DESIRE... — Properly, _having my own desire for departure._ The verb “depart” corresponds exactly to the substantive used in 2 Timothy 4:6, “The time of my departure is at hand.” It is itself used only here and in Luke 12:36, “When he shall return (_break up_) from the wedding.” The metapho... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW. — The word is not to be pressed too far. It is simply, “I feel certain;” and it is obvious to remark that in Acts 20:25 it is used by St. Paul of a conviction (that he would “see the face” of the Ephesians “no more”) which, so far as we can follow out the history, was not verified. The apost... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOUR REJOICING MAY BE MORE ABUNDANT. — The word translated “rejoicing” is that favourite word of St. Paul, which signifies a ground of “boasting,” or exultation. It is used both of blessing beyond strict necessity, and of service beyond legal duty; in both of which there is ground for joy and t... [ Continue Reading ]
LET YOUR CONVERSATION... — The original is here (as in the famous passage, Philippians 3:20), _Use your citizenship_ (that is, of the kingdom of heaven) _worthily of the gospel of Christ._ The same word is employed by St. Paul in Acts 23:1 (“I have walked in all good conscience before God”), with an... [ Continue Reading ]
(27-30) In these verses St. Paul exhorts the Philippians to unanimous boldness and steadfastness, under some conflict of antagonism or persecution which threatened them at this time. Of the history of the Church at Philippi we have no historical record after the notice of St. Paul’s first visit, and... [ Continue Reading ]
[3. Exhortation (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 2:4). (1) To STEADFASTNESS AND CONFIDENCE UNDER PERSECUTION (Philippians 1:27). (2) To UNITY OF SPIRIT, based on humility and self-forgetfulness (Philippians 2:1).]... [ Continue Reading ]
TERRIFIED. — The original word is strong — _starting,_ or _flinching,_ like a scared animal. WHICH (that is, your fearlessness) IS... — This fearlessness, in the absence of all earthly means of protection or victory, is a sign of a divine “strength made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 13:9) — n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR (or, _because_) UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN IN THE BEHALF OF CHRIST. — The force lies, first, in the phrase “it is given” (rather, _it was given,_ from the beginning) — for the original signifies “it was granted as a privilege” or “favour” (as in Acts 27:24; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 3:18) — and ne... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THE SAME CONFLICT, WHICH YE SAW IN ME. — The allusion is, of course, to the lawless scourging and imprisonment of Acts 16:22. How deeply this outrage impressed itself on the Apostle’s own mind we see, both by his conduct to the magistrates at the moment, and also by the allusion in 1 Thessalo... [ Continue Reading ]