II. (1-4) In this section the hint given above, in the allusion to “one spirit” and “one soul,” is expanded into a direct exhortation to unity of spirit, as shown both by absence of self-assertion and by presence of a genial sympathy.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THERE BE THEREFORE ANY CONSOLATION... — In the four-fold division of this verse we trace, first, a reference to unity with Christ, and to a spiritual effect following from it; next, a similar reference to communion with the Holy Ghost, and a corresponding spiritual result. (1) “Consolation” is pr... [ 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 ]
THAT YE BE LIKEMINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, BEING OF ONE ACCORD, OF ONE MIND. — In this verse there is again a four-fold division; but of a different kind. St. Paul begins with the exhortation not uncommon from him, to be likeminded,” that is, to have true sympathy (as in Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5;... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse expresses the negative result of this unity of soul — that nothing will be done in “strife,” that is, _factiousness_ (the word used in Philippians 1:17), or “vainglory” — nothing, that is, with the desire either of personal influence or of personal glory. “For,” he adds, “each will esteem... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS. — This verse similarly describes the positive effect of this “being of one mind” as consisting in power of understanding and sympathy towards “the things of others” — not merely the interests, but also the ideas and feelings of others. To “look upon” here is som... [ Continue Reading ]
(5-8) From a practical introduction, in the familiar exhortation to follow the example of our Lord, St. Paul passes on to what is, perhaps, the most complete and formal statement in all his Epistles of the doctrine of His “great humility.” In this he marks out, first, the Incarnation, in which, “bei... [ Continue Reading ]
[4. The Doctrine of the Great Humility of Christ (Philippians 2:5). (1) THE VOLUNTARY HUMILIATION OF THE LORD, first in His incarnation, next in His passion (Philippians 2:5). (2) THE CORRESPONDING EXALTATION OF HIS HUMANITY, to bear “the Name above every name,” which all creation must adore (Phi... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD. — (1) The word “being” is here the more emphatic of the two words so translated, which lays stress on the reality of existence (as in Acts 16:20; Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Galatians 2:14). Hence it calls attention to the essential being of Christ, corresponding to the... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MADE HIMSELF... — This verse needs more exact translation. It should be, _But emptied_ (or, _stripped_)_ Himself of His glory by having taken on Him the form of a slave and having been made_ (or, _born_)_ in likeness of men._ The “glory” is the “glory which He had with the Father before the worl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEING FOUND... — This should be, _And after having been found_ (or, _recognised_)_ in fashion as a man, He_ [_then_]_ humbled Himself, having become obedient even to death._ “After having been found,” &c., clearly refers to the manifestation of Himself to the world in all the weakness of humanit... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM. — The exaltation, like the humiliation, belongs to Him, as Son of Man; for He was “lifted up,” as on the cross, so in the Ascension. It raises Him to the throne of the Mediatorial kingdom, on which He entered by the Ascension, sitting at the right hand of... [ Continue Reading ]
AT (properly, _in_) THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW. — This is an instance of the significant practice, by which passages of the Old Testament speaking of God are, as a matter of course, applied in the New to our Lord Jesus Christ. “In the Name” is the phrase constantly used for worship of G... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. — The word “Lord” is the word constantly used in the LXX. to translate, though inadequately, the name Jehovah. The context would suggest that meaning here, for the worship paid is obviously the worship done to God. But, though less perfectly, the acknowledgment of universa... [ Continue Reading ]
AS YE HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED. — It is notable that this Epistle is the only one which contains no direct rebuke. The Philippian Church has the glory of having “always obeyed,” not (like the Galatian Church) “as in his presence only, but now much more in his absence.” This “obedience” was to the will of... [ Continue Reading ]
[5. Exhortation and Commendation (Philippians 2:12). (1) EXHORTATION TO WORK OUT THEIR SALVATION through the in working of God, and so to be lights in the world, and the glory of the Apostle, even in the hour of martyrdom (Philippians 2:12). (2) ST. PAUL’S INTENTION TO SEND TIMOTHY, AND HOPE TO C... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO. — In this famous paradox St. Paul calls on men to work by their own will, just because only God can grant them power both to will and to do. The origination of all in God, and the free action (which is in some sense origination) of man, are... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT MURMURINGS AND DISPUTINGS. — St. Paul seems purposely to leave this precept in perfect generality, so as to apply to their relations both to God and man. We observe, however, that the word “disputings” is mostly used of objections and cavils in word (see Matthew 15:19; Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8; R... [ Continue Reading ]
BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS. — “Blameless” as to external law and judgment (as in Luke 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:10); “harmless” in internal purity and simplicity (as in Matthew 10:16, “harmless as doves;” and Romans 16:19). THE SONS OF GOD, WITHOUT REBUKE. — The word “without rebuke” is, according to the b... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE. — This translation seems correct, and the reference is to the comparison above. There may, indeed, be (as has been supposed) a reference, involving a change of metaphor, to the holding forth of a torch, for guidance, or for transmission, as in the celebrated torch rac... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I BE OFFERED UPON THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF YOUR FAITH. — The striking metaphor of the original is here imperfectly represented. It is, _If I am being poured out_ — if my life-blood is poured out — _over the sacrifice and religious ministration of your faith._ The same word is used in 2 Timoth... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YE JOY... — The Epistle lays great stress on joy, not only as a privilege, but as a duty, following from Christian faith and proving its reality. Joy is in itself natural in the first thoughts of childhood and youth; it is apt to be chequered or even destroyed by the second thoughts of fuller exp... [ Continue Reading ]
We note that here Timothy is spoken of in the third person; hence, though he is joined with St. Paul in the salutation (see Philippians 1:1), the Epistle is the Apostle’s, and his alone. The same is the case in the First Epistle to the Thessalonians (comp. Philippians 1:1 with Philippians 3:2; Phili... [ Continue Reading ]
(19-24) St. Paul takes occasion of a promise to send Timothy shortly, to give an emphatic commendation of him, and adds a hope that he may soon come to Philippi himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I HAVE NO MAN LIKEMINDED. — That is, probably, _like-minded with myself._ St. Paul calls Timothy his “genuine (or, _true_) son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), a son who in spirit and affection was like his father. The word “naturally” in this verse is the same word, and should be translated _genu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL SEEK THEIR OWN, NOT THE THINGS WHICH ARE JESUS CHRIST’S. — Compare our Lord’s words, “Ye shall be scattered every man to his own (things), and shall leave Me alone” (John 16:32). St. Paul’s declaration is startling; for he had certainly some “brethren with him” (Philippians 4:21). But the sc... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROOF OF HIM. — The allusion is justified by their intimate personal knowledge. Timothy was at Philippi with St. Paul on his first visit (Acts 16:12); we find him sent to Thessalonica shortly after (1 Thessalonians 3:2), and he probably then paid a second visit to Philippi; from Ephesus (Acts 19... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW IT WILL GO WITH ME. — An explanatory paraphrase, though probably correct, of the original, _the things concerning me._ Probably some crisis in the imprisonment was at hand, with which the expectation of release implied in the next verse was connected.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I TRUST... — Compare Philemon 1:22, “Prepare me a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you,” where the expectation seems even more immediate. The interval between the Letters is unknown. The received belief of St. Paul’s release, and subsequent re-imprisonment (rest... [ Continue Reading ]
EPAPHRODITUS. — The name was often shortened into Epaphras. But it was a common name; hence any identification with the Epaphras of Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23, is, to say the least, extremely precarious. It is hardly likely that one who was a native Colossian would be a resident... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE LONGED AFTER YOU ALL.... — The two clauses of the verse are distinct from each other. St. Paul’s first reason for sending Epaphroditus was in itself a sufficient one, that in his convalescence he yearned for home, and needed a change thither. The original is strong, _because he was continuall... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM... AND ON ME ALSO. — The passage, over and above its interest as an example of the strong personal affection which belonged to St. Paul’s nature, and harmonised with his wide scope of Christian love, is notable as showing clearly that the Apostle’s power of miracle, great as it... [ Continue Reading ]
I SENT HIM THEREFORE THE MORE CAREFULLY. — That is, _I was the more earnest and anxious to send him._ In any case the Apostle would have been desirous to express his thanks and send news by Epaphroditus. But the circumstances of his illness increased that desire to greater earnestness. I MAY BE THE... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT REGARDING HIS LIFE. — According to the true reading, the sense is “having hazarded his life; literally, _having gambled with his life,_ not merely having staked it, but staked it recklessly. It is possible that (as Bishop Wordsworth suggests) there may be allusion to the caution money, staked in... [ Continue Reading ]