1_Rejoice in the Lord _This is a conclusion from what goes before, for as Satan never ceased to distress them with daily rumors, he bids them divest themselves of anxiety and be of good courage. In this way he exhorts them to constancy, that they may not fall back from the doctrine which they have o... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For we are the circumcision _—that is, we are the true seed of Abraham, and heirs of the testament which was confirmed by the sign of circumcision. For the true circumcision is _of the spirit _and _not of the letter, _inward, and situated in the heart, not visible according to the flesh. (Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
4_Though I might also _He does not speak of the disposition exercised by him, but he intimates, that he has also ground of glorying, if he were inclined to imitate their folly. The meaning therefore is, “My glorying, indeed, is placed in Christ, but, were it warrantable to glory in the flesh, I have... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Circumcised on the eighth day _It is literally— “The _circumcision of the eighth day.” _There is no difference, however, in the sense, for the meaning is, that he was circumcised in the proper manner, and according to the appointment of the law (173). Now this customary circumcision was reckoned... [ Continue Reading ]
6._As to the righteousness which is in the law _There can be no doubt he means by this the entire righteousness of the law, for it were too meagre a sense to understand it exclusively of the ceremonies. The meaning, therefore, is more general — that he cultivated an integrity of life, such as might... [ Continue Reading ]
7._What things were gain to me _He says, that those things were gain to him, for ignorance of Christ is the sole reason why we are puffed up with a vain confidence. Hence, where we see a false estimate of one’s own excellence, where we see arrogance, where we see pride, _there _let us be assured tha... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Nay more, I reckon. _He means, that he continues to be of the same mind, because it often happens, that, transported with delight in new things, we forget everything else, and afterwards we regret it. Hence Paul, having said that he renounced all hinderances, that he might gain Christ, now adds,... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And may find them in him _The verb is in the passive voice, and hence all others have rendered it_, I may be found. _They pass over the context, however, in a very indifferent manner, as though it had no peculiar force. If you read it in the passive voice, an _antithesis _must be understood — tha... [ Continue Reading ]
10_That I may know him _He points out the efficacy and nature of faith — that it is the knowledge of Christ, and that, too, not bare or indistinct, but in such a manner that the power of his resurrection is felt. _Resurrection _he employs as meaning, the completion of redemption, so that it comprehe... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Not as though I had already apprehended _Paul insists upon _this, _that he may convince the Philippians that he thinks of nothing but Christ — knows nothing else — desires nothing else — is occupied with no other subject of meditation. In connection with this, there is much weight in what he now... [ Continue Reading ]
13_I reckon not myself to have as yet apprehended _He does not here call in question the certainty of his salvation, as though he were still in suspense, but repeats what he had said before — that he still aimed at making farther progress, because he had not yet attained the end of his calling. He s... [ Continue Reading ]
15_As many as are perfect _Lest any one should understand this as spoken of the generality of mankind, as though he were explaining the simple elements to those that are mere children in Christ, he declares that it is a rule which all that are perfect ought to follow. Now, the rule is this — that we... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Nevertheless, so far as we have attained _Even the Greek manuscripts themselves differ as to the dividing of the clauses, for in some of them there are two complete sentences. If any one, however, prefer to divide the verse, the meaning will be as Erasmus has rendered it. (194) For my part, I rat... [ Continue Reading ]
17_Mark them _By this expression he means, that it is all one to him what persons they single out for themselves for imitation, provided they conform themselves to that purity of which he was a pattern. By this means all suspicion of ambition is taken away, for the man that is devoted to his own int... [ Continue Reading ]
18_For many walk _The simple _statement, _in my opinion, is this — _Many walk who mind earthly things, _meaning by this, that there are many who creep upon the ground (195), not feeling the power of God’s kingdom. He mentions, however, in connection with this, the marks by which such persons may be... [ Continue Reading ]
19_Whose end is destruction _He adds this in order that the Philippians, appalled by the danger, may be so much the more carefully on their guard, that they may not involve themselves in the ruin of those persons. As, however, profligates of this description, by means of show and various artifices,... [ Continue Reading ]
20_But our conversation is in heaven _This statement overturns all empty shows, in which pretended ministers of the gospel are accustomed to glory, and he indirectly holds up to odium all their objects of aim, (201) because, by flying about above the earth, they do not aspire towards heaven. For he... [ Continue Reading ]
21_Who will change _By this argument he stirs up the Philippians still farther to lift up their minds to heaven, and be wholly attached to Christ — because this body which we carry about with us is not an everlasting abode, but a frail tabernacle, which will in a short time be reduced to nothing. Be... [ Continue Reading ]