IV. [8. Conclusion of the Epistle (Philippians 4:1). FINAL EXHORTATION — (_a_) _To unity,_ with especial mention of Euodia, Syntyche, and others (Philippians 4:1). (_b_) _To joy,_ confident in the power of prayer, and resting in the peace of God (Philippians 4:4). (c) _To conformity with al... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE. — By this word, just as at the conclusion of the description of the “depth of the riches of the wisdom of God” (in Romans 11:33), or of the glorious climax of the doctrine of the resurrection (in 1 Corinthians 15:50), St. Paul makes the vision of future glory to be an inspiring force, giv... [ Continue Reading ]
EUODIAS. — The name should be _Euodia,_ as is seen by Philippians 4:3. Of Euodia and Syntyche nothing is known. Many strange attempts have been made to find symbolism in these names. Evidently they were women of note, leaders at Philippi, where, we may remember, the gospel was first preached to wome... [ Continue Reading ]
I INTREAT. — This rendering is too strong. It is, _I ask,_ or _request._ The word means properly, to ask a question; secondarily, to make a request on equal terms, as of right. Hence never used (except, perhaps, in 1 John 5:16) of prayer from us to God. TRUE YOKEFELLOW, — This obscure phrase has gre... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE IN THE LORD... AND AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE. — The original word is the word always used in classical Greek (see the corresponding word in Latin) for “farewell” (_i.e., “_Joy be with you!”), and this verse is obviously a resumption of Philippians 3:1, after the digression of warning. But the emp... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-7) St. Paul returns once more to the exhortation to joy so characteristic of this Epistle. But it is a joy in the sense of the Lord’s being at hand. Hence it turns at once to thanksgiving and prayer, and finally is calmed and deepened into peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR MODERATION. — The word here rendered “moderation,” properly denotes a sense of what is seemly, or equitable, as distinct from what is required by strict duty or formal law. Such distinction the world recognises when it speaks of what is enjoined, not so much by duty as by “good taste, or “right... [ Continue Reading ]
BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING. — An exact repetition of our Lord’s command, “Take no thought” (in Matthew 6:25; Matthew 6:34). The prohibition is of that painful anxiety which is inevitable in all who feel themselves alone in mere self-dependence amidst the difficulties and dangers of life. It is possible... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEACE OF GOD — _i.e._ (like the “righteousness of God,” “the life of God”), the peace which God gives to every soul which rests on Him in prayer. It is peace — the sense of unity in the largest sense — the “peace on earth” proclaimed at our Lord’s birth, left as His last legacy to His disciples,... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUE... HONEST (better, _venerable;_ see margin). — Truth is the inherent likeness to God, who is Truth. Whatever is true in itself is also “venerable” — _i.e.,_ as the original word, usually rendered “grave” (as in 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2) etymologically signifies, it claims a shar... [ Continue Reading ]
Here, repeating the word “Finally,” the Apostle again draws to a conclusion, in a comprehensive exhortation to stand fast in all that is good on the foundation which he had laid in the name of Christ. The exhortation is marked by the reiteration of affectionate earnestness, in which, however, we may... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE BOTH LEARNED, AND RECEIVED. — The reference is here to St. Paul’s teaching, which he “delivered” to them (see 1 Corinthians 15:1; Galatians 1:12) as a message, “received” by revelation of God, and which they “received” accordingly. HEARD, AND SEEN IN ME. — Here the reference is to his examp... [ Continue Reading ]
(10-20) These verses form a singularly graceful and dignified postscript, acknowledging the offerings of the Philippians sent by Epaphroditus, in a tone mingling apostolic commendation and blessing with a true brotherly thankfulness.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AT THE LAST. — There is in these words an expression of some hitherto disappointed expectation, not wholly unlike the stronger expression of wounded feeling in 2 Timothy 4:9; 2 Timothy 4:16. At Cæsarea St. Paul would have been necessarily cut off from the European churches; at Rome, the metropol... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE LEARNED. — The “I” is here emphatic. There is evident reference to the habit peculiar to St. Paul, and made by him his especial “glory” (1 Corinthians 9:14), of refusing that maintenance from the churches which was his of right. Compare his words to the Ephesian presbyters, “I have coveted no... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY WHERE AND IN ALL THINGS. — The original has no such distinction of the two words. It is, _in all and everything;_ in life as a whole, and in all its separate incidents. I AM INSTRUCTED. — The word again is a peculiar and almost technical word. It is, _I have been instructed; I have learnt the... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAN DO ALL THINGS. — Properly, _I have strength in all things,_ rather (according to the context) to bear than to do. But the universal extension of the maxim beyond the immediate occasion and context is not inadmissible. It represents the ultimate and ideal consciousness of the Christian. The fir... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE WELL DONE. — Properly, _Ye did well,_ in sending the offerings. In this, says St. Paul, they “did communicate with his affliction,” that is (see Philippians 1:7), they made it their own, helping him to bear it, by sympathy and sacrifice for his sake. The whole is an illustration of his own w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW YE PHILIPPIANS KNOW ALSO. — Properly, _But ye also yourselves know._ The mention of the proper name is always emphatic (comp. 2 Corinthians 6:11); here it evidently marks the dignity of their exclusive position of benefaction. IN THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL. — At the beginning (that is) of the g... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN IN THESSALONICA. — Not only after he left Macedonia, but even before that time, when he had just passed from Philippi to Thessalonica. At Thessalonica, as at Corinth — both very rich and luxurious communities — he refused maintenance, and lived mainly by the labour of his own hands (1 Thessalon... [ Continue Reading ]
FRUIT THAT MAY ABOUND (rather, _abounds_) TO YOUR ACCOUNT. — The metaphor is still kept, hardly disturbed by the introduction of the word “fruit,” since this is so constantly used in the sense of “recompense” that it readily lends itself to pecuniary associations. There is, says St. Paul, “the fruit... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE ALL, AND ABOUND. — The original is stronger, _I have all to the full_ (as in Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5; Matthew 6:16), _and more than to the full. “I_ have all, and more than all, I need.” Yet not content with this, he adds, “I am full,” thoroughly complete in all things. The exuberance of cou... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GOD. — The expression is emphatic. St. Paul had accepted the offerings as made, not to himself, but to the God whose minister he was. Hence he adds, “my God” — the God, whom ye serve in serving me. ALL YOUR NEED. — Properly, _every need of yours,_ spiritual and temporal. IN GLORY. — We have alre... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW UNTO GOD AND OUR FATHER... — The doxology of this verse seems suggested by the very use of “glory” in the previous verse. “Glory” may be derivatively the privilege of man; but “_the_ glory” (for the original has the article here) — the essential and incommunicable glory — must be ascribed to God... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BRETHREN, WHICH ARE WITH ME. — The list of those who were with St. Paul at one time or another during his imprisonment may be gathered from the Epistles to the Colossians (Colossians 4:10) and Philemon (Philippians 1:23); where see Notes. How many of these where with him at this particular time... [ Continue Reading ]
OF CÆSAR’S HOUSEHOLD. — The “household of Cæsar” included a multitude of persons of all ages and ranks and occupations. Dr. Lightfoot, in a very interesting excursus on this verse, remarking that these Christians of Cæsar’s household are alluded to as if well known to the Philippians, has examined t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. — The true reading is, _be with your spirit_ (as in Galatians 6:18; Philemon 1:25; 2 Timothy 4:22). The reading of our version is the more ordinary form of salutation. In one form or another it is “the token in every Epistle” (2 Thessalonians 3:17)... [ Continue Reading ]