1._Therefore, my brethren _He concludes his doctrine, as he is wont, with most urgent exhortations, that he may fix it the more firmly in the minds of men. He also insinuates himself into their affections by endearing appellations (208), which at the same time are not dictated by flattery, but by si... [ Continue Reading ]
2._I exhort Euodias and Syntyche _It is an almost universally received opinion that Paul was desirous to settle a quarrel, I know not of what sort, between those two women. While I am not inclined to contend as to this, the words of Paul do not afford ground enough for such a conjecture to satisfy u... [ Continue Reading ]
3_I entreat thee, also, true yokefellow _I am not inclined to dispute as to the gender of the noun, and shall, accordingly, leave it undetermined (213), whether he addresses here a man or a woman. At the same time there is excessive weakness in the argument of Erasmus, who infers that it is a woman... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Rejoice in the Lord _It is an exhortation suited to the times; for, as the condition of the pious was exceedingly troublous, and dangers threatened them on every side, it was possible that they might give way, overcome by grief or impatience. (223) Hence he enjoins it upon them, that, amidst circ... [ Continue Reading ]
5_Your moderation _This may be explained in two ways. We may understand him as bidding them rather give up their right, than that any one should have occasion to complain of their sharpness or severity. _“ _Letall that have to deal with you have experience of your equity and humanity.” In this way t... [ Continue Reading ]
6_But in all things _It is the singular number that is made use of by Paul, but is the neuter gender; the expression, therefore, is equivalent to _omni negotio _ _, (in every matter,_) for (_prayer_) and (_supplication_) are feminine nouns. In these words he exhorts the Philippians, as David does al... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And the peace of God _Some, by turning the future tense into the optative mood, convert this statement into a prayer, but it is without proper foundation. For it is a promise in which he points out the advantage of a firm confidence in God, and invocation of him. _“If _you do that,” says he, _“th... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Finally _What follows consists of general exhortations which relate to the whole of life. In the _first _place, he commends _truth, _which is nothing else than the integrity of a good conscience, with the fruits of it: _secondly, gravity, _or _sanctity, _for τὸ σεμνόν (240) denotes both — an exce... [ Continue Reading ]
9._What things ye have learned, and received, and heard _By this accumulation of terms he intimates, that he was assiduous in inculcating these things. _“This _was my doctrine — my instruction — my discourse among you.” Hypocrites, on the other hand, insisted upon nothing but ceremonies. Now, it was... [ Continue Reading ]
10_But I rejoiced _He now declares the gratitude of his mind towards the Philippians, that they may not regret their beneficence, (246) as is usually the case when we think that our services are despised, or are reckoned of no account. They had sent him by Epaphroditus supplies for the relief of his... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Not that I speak with respect to want _Here we have _a second _correction, by which he guards against its being suspected that his spirit was pusillanimous and broken down by adversities. For it was of importance that his constancy and moderation should be known by the Philippians, to whom he was... [ Continue Reading ]
12_I know both how to be abased _There follows here a distinction, with the view of intimating that he has a mind adapted to bear any kind of condition. (248) Prosperity is wont to puff up the mind beyond measure, and adversity, on the other hand, to depress. From both faults he declares himself to... [ Continue Reading ]
13_I can do all things through Christ _As he had boasted of things that were very great, (249) in order that this might not be attributed to pride or furnish others with occasion of foolish boasting, he adds, that it is by Christ that he is endowed with this fortitude. “_I can do all things, _” says... [ Continue Reading ]
14_Nevertheless ye did well _How prudently and cautiously he acts, looking round carefully in both directions, that he may not lean too much to the one side or to the other. By proclaiming in magnificent terms his steadfastness, he meant to provide against the Philippians supposing that he had given... [ Continue Reading ]
15_And ye know _I understand this to have been added by way of excuse, inasmuch as he often received something from them, for if the other Churches had discharged their duty, it might have seemed as though he were too eager to receive. Hence in clearing himself he praises them, and in praising them... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Not that I demand a gift. _Again he repels an unfavourable opinion that might be formed of immoderate cupidity, that they might not suppose that it was an indirect hint, (252) as if they ought singly to stand in the room of all, (253) and as if he abused their kindness. He accordingly declares,... [ Continue Reading ]
18_I have received all things, and abound _He declares in more explicit terms, that he has what is sufficient, and honors their liberality with a remarkable testimony, by saying, that he _has been filled. _It was undoubtedly a moderate sum that they had sent, but he says, that by means of that moder... [ Continue Reading ]
19_My God will supply _Some read _impleat _ — in the _optative _— _May he supply. _(258) While I do not reject this reading, I approve more of the other. He expressly makes mention of God as _his, _because he owns and acknowledges as done to himself whatever kindness is shewn to his servants. They h... [ Continue Reading ]
20_Now to our God and Father _This may be taken as a general thanksgiving, by which he closes the epistle; or it may be viewed as bearing more particularly upon the last clause in reference to the liberality shewn to Paul. (259) For in respect of the assistance which the Philippians had afforded him... [ Continue Reading ]
22_The brethren that are with me salute you _In these salutations he names first of all his intimate associates, (260) afterwards all the saints in general, that is, the whole Church at Rome, but chiefly those of the household of Nero — a thing well deserving to be noticed; for it is no common evide... [ Continue Reading ]