THE SAME THINGS; which he had before inculcated. Some suppose that he has especial reference to the exhortation to rejoice, which he had already given, chap Philippians 2:18, and repeats again emphatically, chap Philippians 4:4. No persons have so much occasion for, or possess so much real joy, as t... [ Continue Reading ]
DOGS; contentious and impure false teachers. THE CONCISION; that is, the cutting, namely, of the flesh in circumcision. The apostle applies the term to those who contended for the outward mark of circumcision as essential to salvation. We should beware of the doctrines of those who rely on external... [ Continue Reading ]
WE; believers in Christ. ARE THE CIRCUMCISION; they had the true circumcision, which alone was essential, that of the heart; they were cut off from the love of sin, and justified through faith in Christ, of which the outward mark was a sign, or, as revealed, Romans 4:11, a seal of the righteousness... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHING THE LAW; in his view of it and of his mode of keeping it.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS THE LAW; as to that external observance of it on which the Pharisees relied for salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THINGS WERE GAIN; those by which he once had hoped to gain eternal life. LOSS; he renounced all dependence on them, sensible that dependence on them, should it continue, would cause the loss of his soul.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THINGS; as a ground of dependence for salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT HAVING MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS; as a ground of acceptance. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH; see note to Romans 1:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW HIM; Christ in his true character, by trusting in him and experiencing the transforming effects of such knowledge in my own soul. THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION; according to some, the full power which the fact of his resurrection should have on the mind. But we may better understand here, as in... [ Continue Reading ]
RESURRECTION; that which awaits the just-in the likeness of Christ, to shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever. For that we may be glorified with him, we must first suffer with him. Romans 8:17; 2 TIMOTHY 2:12. Souls enlightened and renewed by the Holy Spirit renounce dep... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT AS THOUGH I HAD ALREADY ATTAINED; the prize of my high calling, mentioned below, verse Philippians 3:14. APPREHEND; obtain that heavenly glory for which Christ had arrested and called him when a persecutor, and for which, through faith and patience and much tribulation, He was preparing him.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HAVE APPREHENDED; the fulness of that to which he was appointed, and which he most earnestly desired. REACHING FORTH; as a racer, who never looks back, but always bends forward in his race.... [ Continue Reading ]
I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK; the goal at the end of the course. FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS; the prize which God's heavenly calling has in view. This prize is perfect likeness to and full glory with Christ, for which Christians were led to renounce their sins, believe on hi... [ Continue Reading ]
BE PERFECT; have attained to mature Christian knowledge. BE THUS MINDED; have my mind as just described. BE OTHERWISE MINDED; if any had not attained to so much light as to their duty, let them improve what they had, and earnestly seek the teaching of God, and he would impart more. Those who would... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERETO WE HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED; so far as we understand duty let us heartily do it, taking the Bible for our guide, regarding God as our Father, and all his children as brethren, affectionately uniting with them in what is right, and kindly endeavoring to enlighten and convince them where they are... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO MIND; seek as their chief good.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR CONVERSATION; more exactly, our citizenship: we are citizens of heaven; our King is there; our hearts and thoughts are there; we obey its laws, and look to it as our everlasting home. As Christians are citizens of heaven, and only pilgrims and sojourners here, they should not be greatly influenc... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL CHANGE; at the resurrection. THE WORKING; the almighty power or energy. TO SUBDUE ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF; consequently death also, the last enemy that should be destroyed. See 1 Corinthians 15:26, where the destruction of death is mentioned in immediate connection with the subjection of all... [ Continue Reading ]