Philippians 2:19

Clemen (Einheitlichkeit d. paulin. Briefe, p. 138) seeks to prove that Philippians 2:19-24 do not belong to this context. This is to forget the flexibility and rapid transitions natural to a friendly letter. The last paragraph, in spite of its joyful tone, ended with a note of anxious foreboding for the Philippians. He will dispel the dark shadow. ἐν Κ. Ἰης. Cf. Philippians 2:24 infr., and the repeated occurrence of this and cognate phrases all through Paul's Epistles. See the note on chap. Philippians 1:1 supr. His intention depends on the will and power of Christ, just as its performance will be regulated with a view to His glory πέμψαι. We should expect future infinitive, but the aorist is often used instead “after verbs of hoping and promising in which wish or will intrudes” (Gildersleeve on Justin M., Apol., i., 12, 23). κἀγώ. He takes for granted that the visit of Timothy will cheer the Philippians. It will cheer him also to know how they do. εὐψυχῶ. Common in sepulchral Inscrr [8]. in the form εὐψύχει, “farewell!” There are a few exx. elsewhere, e.g., Joseph., Ant., xi., 6, 9, of Ahasuerus, καὶ τὴν Ἐσθῆρʼ εὐψυχεῖν καὶ τὰ κρείττω προσδοκᾷν παρεθάρρυνεν. γνους has probably a slightly ingressive force, “when I come to know”.

[8]nscrr. Inscriptions.