_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:1. PAUL AND TIMOTHY, THE SERVANTS OF JESUS CHRIST.—There is no necessity for Paul to mention his apostolate, inasmuch as the Philippians had never even thought of calling it in question. “Paul an apostle and Timothy a servant” was a distinction too inv... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:3. I THANK MY GOD.—The keynote of the whole epistle. As the apostle’s strains of praise had been heard by the prisoners in the Philippian gaol, so now from another captivity the Church hears a song of sweet contentment. “_My_ God.” The personal appropr... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:9. IN KNOWLEDGE AND IN ALL JUDGMENT.—“Perfect knowledge (as in Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 4:13) and universal discernment.” “The one deals with general principles, the other is concerned with practical applications” (_Lightfoot_). Philippians 1:10. THAT... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:12. THE THINGS WHICH HAPPENED UNTO ME.—Precisely the same phrase as in Ephesians 6:21; is translated “my affairs” (so Colossians 4:7). These circumstances were such as naturally would fill the friends of the apostle with concern for him personally. As t... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:19. THIS SHALL TURN TO MY SALVATION.—“_Salvation_ in the highest sense. These trials will develop the spiritual life in the apostle, will be a pathway to the glories of heaven” (_Lightfoot_). Meyer prefers to render “will be _salutary_ for me, without... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 1:27. YOUR CONVERSATION.—R.V. “manner of life.” Margin, “behave as citizens.” Perform your duties as citizens. St. Paul in Philippi, by the assertion of his Roman citizenship, had brought the prætors to their knees (Acts 16:37), and is addressing men who... [ Continue Reading ]