Philippians 4:9

Thosethings &c. On the apparent egotism of this appeal, see on Philippians 3:17. R.V. renders, somewhat better, The things &c.

have doth learned&c. Better, both learned &c. The verbs are aorists, and the reference is to his long-past residence at Philippi.

received Cp. 1 Corinthians 11:23; 1Co 15:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:9; Colossians 2:6; 1Th 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1. In all these cases the verb is used of learning a truth passed on by another.

seen Saw. See note 1 on this verse. in me As specimen and model. See note on Philippians 1:26. Strictly speaking, the " in me " refers only to the "saw".

do Practise, as a holy habit.

and See first note on Philippians 4:7.

the God of peace Author and giver of the peace of God. Cp. for the phrase Romans 15:33; Rom 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20. And see 2 Thessalonians 3:16. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 we have, "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace"; and there the "peace" is evidently Christian socialpeace, rather than that which resides in the spirit of the saint, or has to do with his personal relations with God (and cp. 2 Corinthians 13:11). But the two are closely connected; the Divine peace in the individual tends always, in its right development and action, to the peace of the community, for it means the dethronement of the spirit of self. St Paul may thus have had in view here the need of more harmony among the Philippians, and of a nobler moral and spiritual tone (Philippians 4:8) as an aid towards it. But the whole context is so full of the highest aspects of Christian experience that we take the present phrase to refer primarily, at least, to God as at peace with His people, and making peace within their hearts; the "Lord of the sabbath" of the soul.