Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 'Wherefore:' since we have such a glorious hope (Philippians 3:20). DEARLY BELOVED. Repeated at the close of the verse, implying that his great love to them should be a motive t... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. Euodias and Syntyche were two women at variance; probably deaconesses or persons of influence (). He repeats "I beseech," as if he would admonish each separately with impartiality, both being equally to blame. I... [ Continue Reading ]
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. AND. ['Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read Nai: 'Yea']. TRUE YOKE-FELLOW - in the same Gospel-yoke (Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ALWAY () - even amidst the afflictions now distressing you (Philippians 1:28). AGAIN - he had already said "Rejoice" (). Joy is the predominant feature of the letter. I SAY - Greek, rather, 'I will say.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. MODERATION, [ to (G3588) epieikees (G1933), from eikoo (G1502), 'to yield,' whence yieldingness (Trench); or from eikos, 'fitting,' whence 'reasonableness of dealing' (Alford)] - considerateness for others, not urging one's rights to... [ Continue Reading ]
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [ Merimnate (G3309)] 'Be anxious about nothing' (Matthew 6:25). Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water (Bengel). BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION - `by you... [ Continue Reading ]
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. AND - the sure consequence of thus laying everything before God in "prayer ... with thanksgiving." PEACE - dispelling 'anxious care' (Philippians 4:6). OF GOD - coming from and resti... [ Continue Reading ]
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Summary of exhortatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. BOTH - rather, 'the things also which ye have learned,' etc.; the things which, besides being recommended in words, have been also recommended by my example, carry into... [ Continue Reading ]
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. BUT, [ de (G1161)] - transitional conjunction. 'Now' [ eedee (G2235)] is used to pass to another subject. IN THE LORD - the sphere of Christi... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I HAVE LEARNED. The I is emphatic. I leave it to others, if they will, to be discontented. I, for my part, have learned, by the Holy Spirit's teaching, and the dealings of Providence (Hebr... [ Continue Reading ]
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ABASED - in low circumstances (2 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 6:9). EVERY WHERE, [ en (G1722) panti (G3956)] - 'in every... [ Continue Reading ]
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I CAN DO (I HAVE STRENGTH FOR) ALL THINGS, [ panta (G3956) ischuoo (G2480)] - not merely 'how to be abased and how to abound.' After special instances, he declares his universal power, yet taking no glory to himself. How omnipotent is Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. He guards against their thinking he thus makes light of their bounty. YE DID COMMUNICATE WITH MY AFFLICTION - i:e., ye made yourselves sharers in my present affliction. What chiefly gives me 'joy' () in your contribu... [ Continue Reading ]
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. NOW - `Moreover' [ de (G1161)], 'ye also know' (as well as I do myself). "Ye Philippians" marks his grateful remembra... [ Continue Reading ]
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. EVEN IN THESSALONICA. "Even" so early as before I left Macedonia, when I had gotten no further than Thessalonica, ye sent me supplies for my necessities more than once.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. A GIFT. 'It is not that I seek after the gift [ to (G3588) doma (G1390)], but I do seek after the fruit that aboundeth to your account:' the abounding of fruits of your faith to be put down to your account against t... [ Continue Reading ]
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. BUT. Though 'the gift' is not what I 'seek after' (Philippians 4:17), yet I am grateful for it, as ample for all my... [ Continue Reading ]
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. MY. Paul says, "my God," to imply that God would reward their bounty to His servant, by 'fully supplying' [ pleeroosei (G4137)] - literally, full to the full-their every temporal and spiritual "need" (2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. BE GLORY - not to us, but to Him be 'the glory' (Greek: implying His exclusive title to the glory) alike of your gift and of His gracious recompense to you.... [ Continue Reading ]
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. SALUTE EVERY SAINT - individually. THE BRETHREN WHICH ARE WITH ME - perhaps Jewish believers (). I think precludes our thinking of 'closer friends,' 'colleagues in the ministry' (Alford): he had only one close friend... [ Continue Reading ]
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. CHIEFLY (AS BEING NEAREST ME) THEY THAT ARE OF CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD - dependents of Nero, probably converted through Paul while a prisoner in the praetorian barrack attached to the palace. Philippi was a Roman 'colony;' hence,... [ Continue Reading ]
Be with you all. () So B C. But 'Aleph (') A Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'be with your spirit' (the highest of man's three parts, ). AMEN. So 'Aleph (') A Delta f, Vulgate. But B G g omit it.... [ Continue Reading ]