Philippians 1:26

rejoicing Better, with R.V., glorying; not the same word as that just previous, nor akin to it. The Greek word is a favourite with St Paul, especially in the Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians. This fact is an item in the evidence for the time of writing of this Epistle. See Introduction, p. 14.

may be more abundant On the Greek word thus rendered we may make the same remark precisely as on "glorying"; see last note.

in Jesus Christ Read, with all the evidence, in Christ Jesus; and see note on Philippians 1:1 above. Observe here, as so often (see above, on Philippians 1:8), how the whole action of the Christian's life is carried on "inChrist." This glad exultant pleasure, this "glorying," was to be experienced as by men in vital union with their Lord by the Spirit.

for me Lit. and better, in me. Here, on the other hand, "in" bears its frequent meaning of "in the case of," "on occasion of." Cp. e.g. Galatians 1:24 (notGalatians 1:16) and 2 Thessalonians 1:4, a close parallel. This change of interpretation of the same preposition in one passage is not arbitrary. The phrase "in Christ" is, so to speak, stereotyped;not so this latter. St Paul was to be their occasion for "glorying," as a living example of the Lord's faithfulness and love, restoring him to the needing disciples.

by my coming to you R.V., "through my presence with you." Better, perhaps, through my coming to you. The word (parousia) rendered "coming" is lit. "presence"; but by usage it very frequently means "coming to be present," as especially in the case of the "Parousia" of the Lord at the Great Day.