This chapter embraces the following points: I. The salutation to the church, Philippians 1:1. II. In Philippians 1:3, the apostle expresses his gratitude for the evidence which they had given of love to God, and for their fidelity in the gospel from the time when it was first proclaimed among them... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL AND TIMOTHEUS - Paul frequently unites some person with him in his epistles; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 1:1. It is clear from this, that Timothy was with Paul at Rome. Why he was there is unknown. It is evident that he was not there as a prisoner with Paul, and the probability is, that he w... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACE BE UNTO YOU ... - See the note at Romans 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK MY GOD UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU - Margin, “mention.” The Greek word means, “recollection, remembrance.” But this recollection may have been suggested either by his own reflections on what he had seen, or by what he had heard of them by others, or by the favors which they conferred on hi... [ Continue Reading ]
ALWAYS - There is much emphasis in the expressions which are used here. Paul labors to show them that he never forgot them; that he always remembered them in his prayers. IN EVERY PRAYER OF MINE - This was a proof of particular and special affection, that while there were so many objects demanding... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL - “For your liberality toward me, a preacher of the gospel.” - Wetstein. There has been, however, no little difference of opinion about the meaning of this phrase. Many - as Doddridge, Koppe, and others - suppose it refers to the fact that they participated in the b... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING CONFIDENT - This is strong language. It means to be fully and firmly persuaded or convinced; participle, middle voice, from πείθω peithō - to persuade; compare Luke 16:31. “Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead;” that is, they would not be convinced; Acts 17:4; Hebrew... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS IT IS MEET FOR ME TO THINK THIS OF YOU ALL - “There is a reason why I should cherish this hope of you, and this confident expectation that you will be saved. That reason is found in the evidence which you have given that you are sincere Christians. Having evidence of that, it is proper that... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD IS MY RECORD - My witness; I can solemnly appeal to him. HOW GREATLY I LONG AFTER YOU ALL - To see you; and how much I desire your welfare. IN THE BOWELS OF JESUS CHRIST - The word “bowels,” in the Scriptures denotes the upper viscera - the region of the heart and lungs: see the notes at I... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS I PRAY - We pray for those whom we love, and whose welfare we seek. We desire their happiness; and there is no way more appropriate of expressing that desire than of going to God, and seeking it at his hand. Paul proceeds to enumerate the blessings which he sought for them; and it is worthy... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY APPROVE THINGS - Margin, “Or, try.” The word used here denotes the kind of trial to which metals are exposed in order to test their nature; and the sense here is, that the apostle wished them so to try the things that were of real value, as to discern that which was true and genuine. THA... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - That which righteousness in the heart produces. The fruits, or results, will be seen in the life; and those fruits are - honesty, truth, charity, kindness, meekness, goodness. The wish of the apostle is, that they might show abundantly by their lives t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WOULD YE SHOULD UNDERSTAND - Paul here turns to himself, and goes into a somewhat extended account of his own feelings in his trials, and of the effects of his imprisonment at Rome he wished them to understand what his circumstances were, and what had been the effect of his imprisonment, proba... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT MY BONDS IN CHRIST - Margin, “for.” The meaning is, his bonds in the cause of Christ. He was imprisoned because he preached Christ (see the notes, Ephesians 6:20), and was really suffering because of his attachment to the Redeemer. It was not for crime, but for being a Christian for had he n... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY OF THE BRETHREN - Many Christians. It is evident from this, that there were already “many” in Rome who professed Christianity. IN THE LORD - In the Lord Jesus; that is, united to him and to each other by a professed attachment to him. This is a common phrase to, designate Christians. WAXI... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME INDEED PREACH CHRIST EVEN OF ENVY AND STRIFE - What was the ground of this “envy and strife” the apostle does not mention. It would seem, however, that even in Rome there was a party which was jealous of the influence of Paul, and which supposed that this was a good opportunity to diminish his... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ONE PREACH CHRIST OF CONTENTION - So as to form parties, and to produce strifes among his professed followers. NOT SINCERELY - Not “purely” - ἁγνῶς hagnōs - not with pure motives or intentions. Their real aim is not to preach Christ, but to produce difficulty, and to stir up strife. They are... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE OTHER OF LOVE - From pure motives, and from sincere affection to me. KNOWING THAT I AM SET FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL - They believe that I am an ambassador from God. They regard me as unjustly imprisoned, and while I am disabled, they are willing to aid me in the great cause to which my... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THEN? - What follows from this? What effect does it have on my mind? Does the fact that some preach from a spirit of envy and contention give me pain? NOTWITHSTANDING EVERY WAY - No matter in what way it is done. We are not to suppose, however, that Paul was indifferent as to the way in which... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW THAT THIS SHALL TURN TO MY SALVATION - Will be a means of my salvation. Whether the effect shall be to turn public favor toward the Christian religion, and secure my release; or whether it shall be to instigate my enemies more, so as to lead to my death; I am satisfied that the result, so... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO MY EARNEST EXPECTATION - The word used here occurs but in one other place in the New Testament; see it explained in the notes at Romans 8:19. The earnest desire and hope which Paul had was not, primarily, that he might be released; but it was that, in all circumstances, he might be able... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST - My sole aim in living is to glorify Christ. He is the supreme End of my life, and I value it only as being devoted to his honor - Doddridge. His aim was not honor, learning, gold, pleasure; it was, to glorify the Lord Jesus. This was the single purpose of his soul - a p... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I LIVE IN THE FLESH - If I continue to live; if I am not condemned and make a martyr at my approaching trial. THIS IS THE FRUIT OF MY LABOUR - The meaning of this passage, which has given much perplexity to commentators, it seems to me is, “If I live in the flesh, it will cost me labor; it wi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM IN A STRAIT BETWIXT TWO - Two things, each of which I desire. I earnestly long to be with Christ; and I desire to remain to be useful to the world. The word rendered “I am in a strait” - συνέχομαι sunechomai - means to be pressed on or constrained, as in a crowd; to feel oneself pressed or... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS TO ABIDE IN THE FLESH - To live. All this is language derived from the belief that the soul will be separate from the body at death, and will occupy a separate state of existence. IS MORE NEEDFUL FOR YOU - Another object that was dear to the heart of Paul. He never supposed that his li... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAVING THIS CONFIDENCE - “Being persuaded of this, that my continuance on earth is desirable for your welfare, and that the Lord has a work for me to do, I confidently expect that I shall be permitted to live.” The “confidence” here referred to was, that his life was needful for them, and hence... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOUR REJOICING MAY BE MORE ABUNDANT IN JESUS CHRIST - Through the mercy and grace of Christ, If he was spared, his deliverance would be traced to Christ, and they would rejoice together in one who had so mercifully delivered him. FOR ME BY MY COMING TO YOU AGAIN - Their joy would not only be t... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY LET YOUR CONVERSATION - The word “conversation” we now apply almost exclusively to oral discourse, or to talking. But it was not formerly confined to that and is never so used in the Scriptures. It means conduct in general - including, of course, our manner of speaking, but not limited to that... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN NOTHING TERRIFIED BY YOUR ADVERSARIES - Adversaries, or opponents, they had, like most of the other early Christians. There were Jews there who would be likely to oppose them (compare Acts 17:5), and they were exposed to persecution by the pagan. In that city, Paul had himself suffered much A... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR UNTO YOU - Unto you as Christians. This favor is granted unto you in your present circumstances. IT IS GIVEN - God concedes to you this privilege or advantage. IN THE BEHALF OF CHRIST - In the cause of Christ, or with a view to honor Christ. Or, these things are brought on you in consequence o... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THE SAME CONFLICT - The same agony - ἀγῶνα agōna - the same strife with bitter foes, and the same struggle in the warfare. WHICH YE SAW IN ME - When I was in Philippi, opposed by the multitude, and thrown into prison; Acts 16. AND NOW HEAR TO BE IN ME - In Rome. He was a prisoner there,... [ Continue Reading ]