ΕἼ ΤΙΣ ΣΠΛΆΓΧΝΑ. So אABCD2G2 and all extant uncials. “Of the cursives nearly the same must be said” (Scrivener, _Introd. to Crit. of N. T_., ii. 386). Three important copies of vulg read _si quid viscera_ instead of _si qua viscera_. Basil Chrys (in MS.) τις. A few cursives read εἴ τι. Most copies o... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΛΗΡΏΣΑΤΕ. His cup of joy for Philippi (Philippians 1:4) needed only the certainty that the Philippians were one in holy love, to be full to the brim. ἽΝΑ ΤῸ ΑΥ̓ΤῸ ΦΡΟΝΗ͂ΤΕ. On the construction, see on Philippians 1:9. We have here a modification of the _purport_-meaning. He here practically _asks... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜΗΔῈ ΚΑΤᾺ ΚΕΝΟΔΟΞΊΑΝ. So אABC, 17 31 37, vulg copt arm æth and some fathers. D2G2K2LP, most cursives, goth, some fathers ἢ κενοδοξίαν. Syr (pesh and harkl) ἢ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν. 3. ΜΗΔῈΝ ΚΤΛ. Note the brief energy of the verbless phrase, and also the absoluteness of the prohibition, which is binding o... [ Continue Reading ]
ἝΚΑΣΤΟΙ (first occurrence). So ABG2, 17, vulg, Bas Ambr. אCD2K2LP, most cursives, goth syr (pesh and harkl), Hilar Victorin ἕκαστος. All recent editors (but Wordsw) ἕκαστοι. But the evidence for ἕκαστος is considerable. ΣΚΟΠΟΥ͂ΝΤΕΣ. So אABCD2G2P, several cursives, vulg goth, Basil and some fathers.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΦΡΟΝΕΙ͂ΤΕ. “Be this your mind,” your “feeling.” On the reading, see critical note. Practically, φρονεῖτε and φρονείσθω give the same thought. In the great passage which follows we have a suggestive example of Christian moral teaching. A simple element of daily duty is being enforced; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ. Some documents (א*Acts, 17 and some other cursives, Cyril Al) connect this with the preceding verse;—τὰ ἑτέρων· ἕκαστοι τοῦτο φρονεῖτε. But there is no doubt of the correctness of the reading preferred here. ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΓᾺΡ is read by אcD2G2K2LP, most cursives, syr (pesh), Chrys Theodoret Damasc... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APPEAL ENFORCED BY THE SUPREME EXAMPLE OF THE SAVIOUR IN HIS INCARNATION, OBEDIENCE, AND EXALTATION... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΜΟΡΦΗ͂Ι ΘΕΟΥ͂. What is μορφή? Lightfoot, in a “detached note” to this chapter, traces the use of the word in Greek philosophy, in Philo (the link between the language of Scripture and of Plato), and in the N. T. The conclusion is that it denotes the “form” of a thing in the most ideal sense of fo... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΛΛᾺ. “But”; not “yet,” which would require ἀλλʼ ὅμως. (See note on ἁρπαγμὸν above.) The word introduces the infinitely gracious action of the Saviour as _not_ what He would have done had He “thought His Equality a prize.” See Ellicott’s careful note here. ἙΑΥΤῸΝ ἘΚΈΝΩΣΕΝ. Ἑαυτὸν is slightly emphas... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ. Here another movement of thought begins. We have seen the κένωσις of simple Incarnation. We now pass to the Sacrifice to which, in Manhood, He descended. ΣΧΉΜΑΤΙ. _Habitu_, Lat. Versions. Σχῆμα indicates appearance, _with_ or _without_ underlying reality; and thus is a partial antithesis to μο... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ ὌΝΟΜΑ. So אABC, 17, Euseb Cyr. D2G2K2LP, most cursives, arm, Origen Euseb (_alibi_) Ath and many Greek fathers om τὸ. LTTr Alf (doubtfully) Ltft WH τὸ. Ell om. The case for omission is strong. H. THE WORSHIP PAID TO JESUS CHRIST. (CH. Philippians 2:9) “UPON this worship of Jesus Christ as we mee... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ὈΝΌΜΑΤΙ ἸΗΣΟΥ͂. Here Ἰησοῦ may be either genitive or dative. If dative, we must render “in the name Jesus.” But if the note just previous reasons rightly, we must choose the genitive; “the name _of_ Jesus,” the Name borne by Jesus; the Divine Name, Κύριος, proclaimed as the true name of the... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΉΣΕΤΑΙ. So ACD2G2K2LP, several cursives, Origen Ath Chrys (_alibi_). אB, 17, most cursives, Iren Clem Eus Ath (_alibi_) Chrys (_alibi_) Cyr ἐξομολογήσηται. L (margin) T Alf Ell Wordsw Ltft WH ἐξομολογήσεται. Tr ἐξομολογήσηται. The Greek patristic evidence is weighty for this latter. 11. ΠΑ͂... [ Continue Reading ]
ὭΣΤΕ. He has now pressed on them the duty and blessing of self-forgetting love, above all by this supreme Example. Here this is still in view, but subordinately; he is possessed by the thought of “so great salvation,” and _through this_ views the obligation and joy of Christian humility and harmony.... [ Continue Reading ]
INFERENCES FROM THE FOREGOING PASSAGES: THE GREATNESS OF THE METHODS OF SALVATION: THE CONSEQUENT CALL TO A LIFE REVERENT, SELF-FORGETFUL, FRUITFUL, FAITHFUL, JOYFUL... [ Continue Reading ]
ΘΕῸΣ ΓΆΡ. Here is _the reason_ both for “fear and trembling” and for the assurance that their Apostle’s absence “leaves them not comfortless”: they are indwelt by the eternal Holy One and Loving One Himself; let that fact at once awe them and give them a calm confidence. Ὁ ἘΝΕΡΓΩ͂Ν ἘΝ ὙΜΙ͂Ν. Ἐνεργε... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΆΝΤΑ ΠΟΙΕΙ͂ΤΕ ΚΤΛ. He carries now into detail the general principle of holiness in the power of the Divine In-dweller, holding still in view the unselfish love for which he pleaded above (Philippians 2:1-4). Observe the characteristic _totality_ of the precept, the πάντα. ΧΩΡῚΣ ΓΟΓΓΥΣΜΩ͂Ν ΚΑῚ ΔΙΑΛΟ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΓΈΝΗΣΘΕ. So אBCD2cK2LP, all cursives, Chrys and many Greek fathers. AD2*G2, vulg, Cypr Origen and some fathers ἧτε. All editors γένησθε. ἌΜΩΜΑ. So אABC, 17 23, Clem Victorin Cyr. D2G2K2LP, most cursives, Chrys Theodoret and some other Greek fathers ἀμώμητα. LTTr Alf Ltft WH ἄμωμα. Ell Wordsw ἀμώμητ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΛΌΓΟΝ ΖΩΗ͂Σ. The Gospel, as the revelation and offer of eternal life in Christ. So the Saviour’s teachings are ῥήματα ζωῆς αἰωνίου, John 6:68, and the message of His grace is λόγος ζωῆς, 1 John 1:1 (see Westcott _in loco_ against a reference there to the Personal Logos). The essence of the λόγος is... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΛΛᾺ ΕἸ ΚΑῚ. He takes up the thought suggested by ἐκοπίασα, as if to say, “Toil it is indeed; but it is glad, ungrudging toil; if it involves my shedding my blood for you, it will be only joy to me.” “Meanwhile” may thus represent ἀλλὰ. ΣΠΈΝΔΟΜΑΙ. “I am being outpoured”; “libated,” in my life-blood... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ ΔῈ ΑΥ̓ΤῸ. “In the same manner” (R.V.). So Matthew 27:44, τὸ δʼ αὐτὸ καὶ οἱ λῃσταὶ … ὠνείδιζον αὐτόν. “The accusative [τὸ αὐτό] defines rather the character than the object of the action” (Lightfoot). ΧΑΊΡΕΤΕ ΚΑῚ ΣΥΝΧΑΊΡΕΤΈ ΜΟΙ. _Gaudete et congratulamini mihi_, Vulg. The Greek leaves us free to... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΛΠΊΖΩ ΔῈ. “But,” amidst these exalted joys and trials, he hopes soon to take a practical step to obtain fuller information about the Philippians. He refers back to the words ἐν τῇ�, Philippians 2:12. ἘΝ ΚΥΡΊΩΙ ἸΗΣΟΥ͂. See note on ἐν σπλάγχνοις Χ. Ἰ. Philippians 1:8. ΤΙΜΌΘΕΟΝ. See note on Τιμόθεος... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PROPOSES SOON TO SEND TIMOTHEUS: HE SENDS WITHOUT DELAY EPAPHRODITUS... [ Continue Reading ]
ΓᾺΡ. He gives his reason for sending _Timothy_. There was no one like him in natural fitness for this task. ἸΣΌΨΥΧΟΝ. A slight echo perhaps of εὐψυχῶ. “Of equal soul,” i.e. to Timotheus (Lightfoot); no other delegate would have such qualifications of unselfish sympathy with Philippi. “The word ἰσόψ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤᾺ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂ ἸΗΣΟΥ͂. So (without τοῦ before Χ. Ἰ.) all uncials, many cursives, Clem and many other fathers. Many cursives, Chrys (but not consistently) Theodoret τὰ τοῦ. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂ ἸΗΣΟΥ͂. So BL, most cursives, a copy of vulg copt syr (pesh), Chrys and some fathers. אACD2G2P, 17 and several other curs... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῊΝ ΔΟΚΙΜῊΝ. “The test” through which he passed, before your eyes, when we were both at Philippi.—Or perhaps δοκιμή here means the result of the test, “proved fitness.” In Greek, as in English, abstract nouns are constantly passing from “process” to “result” (e.g. οἰκοδομή), and becoming more concre... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΦΊΔΩ. So אAB*D2*G2, 17. B3CD2cLP, most cursives, all Greek quotations ἀπίδω. Ltft says, “If any weight is to be attached to the agreement of the older MSS., the aspirated form (ἀφίδω for ἀπίδω) must be read here.” He collects from MSS. of the LXX. several instances of aspirates in compounds of εἷδο... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΛΕΎΣΟΜΑΙ. א*ACP, vulg syr (pesh) copt add πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Lightfoot inserts these words, in square brackets. 24. ΠΈΠΟΙΘΑ. See above on πεποιθώς, Philippians 1:6; and cp. on οἶδα, Philippians 1:25. ἘΝ ΚΥΡΊΩΙ. See above, on Philippians 1:8. ΤΑΧΈΩΣ. The word is elastic; it may refer to weeks or to months... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΝΑΓΚΑΙ͂ΟΝ ΔῈ. As against the less obligatory call for Timothy’s journey. There was _a duty_, to Epaphroditus and to Philippi, and it must not be postponed. ἩΓΗΣΆΜΗΝ. Render, in English idiom, “I have counted,” or “I count.” The aorist is “epistolary,” and gives the writer’s present thought as it w... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΆΝΤΑΣ ὙΜΑ͂Σ. א*ACD2, several cursives, syr (pesh and harkl) copt arm æth, several Greek fathers, add ἰδεῖν. All recent editors read text. 26. ἘΠΙΠΟΘΩ͂Ν ἯΝ. “He was (i.e., as an English letter would run, “he has been,” or “he is”) in a state of longing”; he feels home-sick for you. See note on Phil... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΘΕῸΣ ἨΛΈΗΣΕΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΌΝ. For Epaphroditus, as for St Paul, death would be κέρδος (Philippians 1:21, and cp. 1 Corinthians 3:23) from one supreme point of view. Yet death _in itself_ is not the Christian’s choice; see John 21:18 (ὅπου οὐ θέλεις), and 2 Corinthians 5:4 (οὐ θέλομεν ἐκδύσασθαι). And it cl... [ Continue Reading ]
ἜΠΕΜΨΑ. Anglicé, “I have sent,” “I am sending.” ἈΛΥΠΌΤΕΡΟΣ. Again with perfect candour of heart he does not say “glad,” but “less sorrowful.” The separation from Epaphroditus would be a human sorrow, which would temper the happiness with which he would restore him to the Philippians; and he does no... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΡΟΣΔΈΧΕΣΘΕ … ΑΥ̓ΤῸΝ. “Receive him”; words which _perhaps_ suggest that to some among them, affected by their small internal divisions, Epaphroditus would be not quite acceptable. But we may explain the Greek rather, “_Accept_ him,” as _my gift_ to you; in which sense no _appeal_ would be implied. C... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ ἜΡΓΟΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂. So BG2, 73 80. D2K2L, most cursives, some Greek fathers τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Vulg _Christi_. אAP, 17 31 47, copt syr (pesh) arm æth κυρίου. C simply τὸ ἔργον. LTTr Χριστοῦ. WH Κυρίου (marg Χριστοῦ). Ell Wordsw τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Alf Ltft simply τὸ ἔργον. Ltft says, “the authorities, being very... [ Continue Reading ]