CHAPTER IV. _The apostle exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord_, 1. _And beseeches _Euodias_ and _Syntyche_ to be of one mind in Divine_ _things_, 2. _And requests his true yokefellow to help them to a good_ _understanding_, 3. _Gives them directions concerning their temper and frame of mind_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 4:2. _I BESEECH EUODIAS, AND BESEECH SYNTYCHE_] These were two pious women, as it is generally supposed, who were deaconesses in the Church at Philippi, and who in some points of doctrine and discipline had disagreed. He exhorts them to be of the same mind, that is, to compose thei... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 4:3. _HELP THOSE WOMEN WHICH LABOURED WITH ME_] Both in the Grecian and Asiatic countries women were kept much secluded, and is was not likely that even the apostles had much opportunity of conversing with them; it was therefore necessary that they should have some experienced Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 4:4. _REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY_] Be continually happy; but this happiness you can find only _in the Lord_. Genuine happiness is _spiritual_; as it can only come from God, so it infallibly tends to him. The apostle repeats the exhortation, to show, not only his earnestness, but als... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _LET YOUR MODERATION BE KNOWN_] The word επιεικες is of very extensive signification; it means the same as επιεικεια, mildness, patience, yieldingness, gentleness, clemency, _moderation_, unwillingness to litigate or contend; but _moderation_ is expressive enough as a general term. "Moderat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING_] μηδεν μεριμνατε. Be not anxiously solicitous; do not give place to carking care, let what will occur; for anxiety cannot chance the state or condition of any thing from bad to good, but will infallibly injure your own souls. _BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION_] God alone... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _AND THE PEACE OF GOD_] That harmonizing of all passions and appetites which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and arises from a sense of pardon and the favour of God; _SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS_] φρουρησει. Shall keep them as in a strong place or castle. _Your hearts_-the seat of all your aff... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _FINALLY, BRETHREN_] The object of the apostle is to recommend holiness and righteousness to them in every point of view; and to show that the Gospel of Christ requires all its professors to have the _mind_ that was in Christ, and to _walk_ as he himself also walked. That they were not to a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _THOSE THINGS, WHICH YE HAVE - LEARNED_] From my preaching and writing; _AND RECEIVED_] By faith, as a revelation from God; _AND HEARD_] From my preaching, and that of those who laboured with me; _and heard from_ me, in my private communications with you; and heard _of_ me from other Chur... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _BUT I REJOICED IN THE LORD_] Every good comes from God, either immediately from his providence or from his grace; therefore the apostle thanks God for the kindness of the Philippians towards him; for it was God that gave them the power, and directed their hearts to use it. _HATH FLOURISH... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _NOT THAT I SPEAK IN RESPECT OF WANT_] I am quite unconcerned in this respect; leaving the whole of my support, while bound for the testimony of Jesus, to the providence of God. _FOR I HAVE LEARNED_] I am so satisfied with the wise providence and goodness of God, that I know whatever he d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _I KNOW - HOW TO BE ABASED_] I have passed through all these states; I know how to conduct myself in each, and how to extract good from all. And he had passed through these things, especially the hardships, so that he had learned the lesson _perfectly_, as the word μεμυημαι implies; he was... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _I CAN DO ALL THINGS_] It was not a _habit_ which he had acquired by _frequent exercise_, it was a disposition which he had by _grace_; and he was enabled to do all by the power of an indwelling Christ. _Through Him who strengtheneth me_ is the reading of some of the best MSS., versions, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _YE HAVE WELL DONE_] Though I have learned all these important lessons, and am never miserable in _want_, yet ye have done well in sending me relief in the time of affliction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _IN THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL_] When, having preached to you, I went forth into Macedonia, I received help from none of the Churches which I had founded, but from you alone. I _received_ nothing from any others, and nothing was _offered_ me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _FOR EVEN IN THESSALONICA_] While labouring to plant the Church there, he was supported partly by working with his hands, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; and partly by the contributions sent him from Philippi. Even the Thessalonians had contributed little to his maintenance: this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _NOT BECAUSE I DESIRE A GIFT_] I do not speak thus to incite you to send me a farther gift; I speak this on the general subject, because I wish you to bear such fruit as shall abound to your account in the day of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _I HAVE ALL_] Ye have now sent me so much by Epaphroditus, that I abound in all the necessaries of life. _HAVING RECEIVED - THE THINGS_] Probably a supply of _clothes_ and such like _necessaries_, as well as of _money_. _AN ODOUR OF A SWEET SMELL_] Alluding to the sacrifices offered up u... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED_] As you have given to me in my distress, God will never suffer you to want without raising up help to you, as he raised you up for help to me. _ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES_] His fulness is infinite; and through Christ, whose followers we are, he will dispen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _NOW UNTO GOD AND OUR FATHER_] God is our _Father_ in Christ Jesus; and such pity as a father hath for his children, such has the Lord for them that fear him; as a father is concerned for the support and life of his children, so is God concerned for you. A father may be poor, and unable to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _SALUTE EVERY SAINT_] Remember to present my affectionate wishes to every Christian at Philippi. _THE BRETHREN WHICH ARE WITH ME_] Those who were fellow labourers with him, generally supposed to be Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas. See the end of the epistles to the _C... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _ALL THE SAINTS_] All the Christians now at Rome. _THEY THAT ARE OF CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD._] Nero was at this time emperor of Rome: a more worthless, cruel, and diabolic wretch never disgraced the name or form of man; yet in _his family_ there were Christians: but whether this relates to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 4:23. _THE GRACE OF OUR LORD_] The usual apostolical benediction, which has often occurred, and been more than once explained. _See Clark on "_Romans 1:7_"_, and _"_Galatians 6:18_"_. The word ημων, _our_, is omitted by many MSS. and several versions, which simply read, _The grace... [ Continue Reading ]