This chapter Philippians 4 comprises the following points: * Exhortations. * Solemn commands to live as became Christians. * The expression of a grateful acknowledgment of the favors which he had received from them; and, * The customary salutations. I. Exhortations; Philippians 4:1. (1)He... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, MY BRETHREN DEARLY BELOVED AND LONGED FOR - Doddridge unites this verse with the previous chapter, and supposes that it is the proper close of the solemn statement which the apostle makes there. The word “therefore” - ὥστε hōste - has undoubted reference to the remarks made there; and... [ Continue Reading ]
I BESEECH EUODIAS, AND BESEECH SYNTYCHE - These are doubtless the names of females. The name Syntyche is sometimes the name of a man; but, if these persons are referred to in Philippians 4:3, there can be no doubt that they were females. Nothing more is known of them than is here mentioned. It has b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I ENTREAT THEE ALSO, TRUE YOKE-FELLOW - It is not known to whom the apostle refers here. No name is mentioned, and conjecture is useless. All that is known is, that it was someone whom Paul regarded as associated with himself in labor, and one who was so prominent at Philippi that it would be un... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY - see the notes at Philippians 3:1. It is the privilege of Christians to do this, not at certain periods and at distant intervals, but at all times they may rejoice that there is a God and Saviour; they may rejoice in the character, law, and government of God - in his promi... [ Continue Reading ]
LET YOUR MODERATION BE KNOWN UNTO ALL MEN - That is, let it be such that others may see it. This does not mean that they were to make an ostentatious display of it, but that it should be such a characteristic of their lives that it would be constantly visible to others. The word “moderation” - ἐπιε... [ Continue Reading ]
BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING - That is, be not anxious or solicitous about the things of the present life. The word used here - μεριμνᾶτε merimnate - does not mean that we are to exercise no care about worldly matters - no care to preserve our property, or to provide for our families (compare 1 Timothy 5... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PEACE OF GOD - The peace which God gives. The peace here particularly referred to is that which is felt when we have no anxious care about the supply of our needs, and when we go confidently and commit everything into the hands of God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staye... [ Continue Reading ]
FINALLY, BRETHREN - As for what remains - τὸ λοιπὸν to loipon - or as a final counsel or exhortation. WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE - In this exhortation the apostle assumes that there were certain things admitted to be true, and pure, and good, in the world, which had not been directly revealed, or... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE THINGS WHICH YE HAVE BOTH LEARNED, AND RECEIVED, AND HEARD, AND SEEN IN ME, DO - That is, what you have witnessed in me, and what you have learned of me, and what you have heard about me, practice yourselves. Paul refers them to his uniform conduct - to all that they had seen, and known, and h... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I REJOICED IN THE LORD GREATLY - The favor which Paul had received, and for which he felt so much gratitude, had been received of the Philippians; but he regarded “the Lord” as the source of it, and rejoiced in it as the expression of his kindness. The effect was to lead his heart with cheerfuln... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT I SPEAK IN RESPECT OF WANT - Though Paul was doubtless often in circumstances of necessity, yet he did not make these remarks on that account. In his journeys, in his imprisonments, he could not but be at times in want; but be had learned to bear all this; and that which most impressed itse... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW BOTH HOW TO BE ABASED - To be in circumstances of want. AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND - To have an abundance. lie had been in circumstances where he had an ample supply for all his needs, and knew what it was to have enough. It requires as much grace to keep the heart right in prosperity, as it d... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAN DO ALL THINGS - From the experience which Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could “do all things.” He could bear any trial, perform any duty, subdue any evil propensity of his nature, and meet all the temptations incident to any co... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTWITHSTANDING, YE HAVE WELL DONE - Though he had learned the grace of contentment, and though he knew that Christ could enable him to do all things, it was well for them to show sympathy for his sufferings; for it evinced a proper regard for a benefactor and an apostle. YE DID COMMUNICATE - You t... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL - “At the time when I first preached the gospel to you; or when the gospel began its benign influence on your hearts.” WHEN I DEPARTED FROM MACEDONIA - See Acts 17:14. The last place that Paul visited in Macedonia, at that time, was Berea. There a tumult was excited by... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVEN IN THESSALONICA; - see the notes, Acts 17:1. Paul remained there long enough to establish a flourishing church. He met, indeed, with much opposition and persecution there; and, hence, it was necessary that his wants should be supplied by others.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT BECAUSE I DESIRE A GIFT - “The reason why I rejoice in the reception of what you have sent to me, is not that I am covetous.” From the interest with which he had spoken of their attention to him, some might perhaps be disposed to say, that it arose from this cause. He says, therefore, that, grat... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I HAVE ALL - Margin, “or, have received.” The phrase here is equivalent to, “I have received everything. I have all I want, and desire no more.” He was entirely satisfied. What they had sent to him is, of course, now unknown. It is sufficient to know, that it was of such a nature as to make his... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED - That is, “You have shown your regard for me as a friend of God, by sending to me in my distress, and I have confidence that, in return for all this, God will supply all your needs, when you are in circumstances of necessity.” Paul’s confidence in this seems no... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW UNTO GOD AND OUR FATHER, ... - see the notes at Romans 16:27. It was common for Paul to address such an ascription of praise to God, at the close of his epistles.... [ Continue Reading ]
SALUTE EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS - It was usual for him also to close his epistles with affectionate salutations to various members of the churches to which he wrote. These salutations are generally specific, and mention the names, particularly if prominent members of the churches; see the close o... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE SAINTS SALUTE YOU - All in Rome, where this Epistle was written. No individuals are specified, perhaps because none of the Christians at Rome wore personally known to the church at Philippi. They would, however, feel a deep interest in a church which had thus the confidence and affection of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, ... - notes, Romans 16:20. In regard to the subscription at the end of this Epistle, it may be remarked, as has been done of the other subscriptions at the end of the Epistles, that it is of no authority whatever. There is no reason, however, to doubt that in thi... [ Continue Reading ]