_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:1. CONSOLATION IN CHRIST.—_Exhortation_ would be better, inasmuch as consolation anticipates the comfort of the next phrase. COMFORT OF LOVE.—Encouragement which love gives. FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT.—“Participation in the Spirit” _Meyer’s_ remark is, “... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:5. LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU.—The apostle’s word reminds us that he had already counselled his readers to be likeminded amongst themselves. “Each to each, and all to Christ,” this verse seems to say. What follows—to Philippians 2:11—is the very marrow of... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:9. HIGHLY EXALTED.—A word much stronger than those, _e.g._, in the Acts, which describe the raising up of the murdered Lord of life. We trace the descent step by step to the last rung of the ladder; by one stupendous act (Romans 1:4) God graced His Son... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:12. YE HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED.—Obedience describes the attitude of the mind of these Philippians in presence of the commanding truths of the gospel: “Obedience” or “obedience of faith” is found several times in the epistle to the Romans; and in 2 Corinthia... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:14. DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT MURMURINGS.—Without mutterings, as men who in cowardice dare not speak plainly what they think. We must consider the warning as against God on account of what He imposed on them both to do and to suffer. AND DISPUTINGS.—The wo... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:20. NO MAN LIKEMINDED.—A.V. margin, “so dear unto me,” evidently because the same word is used in Psalms 55:13. “Likeminded” with whom? “With me,” says Meyer, that is, “having the same tender feeling towards you as I have.” WHO WILL NATURALLY CARE.—Not... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Philippians 2:25. EPAPHRODITUS.—Brother, work-mate, comrade-in-arms, Church-messenger, and serving-man. What a designation! St. Paul thinks him worthy of all the honour (Philippians 2:29) that the Church can give, and he himself immortalises him by this unusual esti... [ Continue Reading ]