Philippians 1:14

The consciousness of God's sovereign grace operating in the Philippian Christians will prevent their work being marred by murmurings and reasonings against their lot (cp. Philippians 1:29; Philippians 4:6 also 1 Peter 4:12); in this confidence they will bear themselves as God's children (Philippians 2:15; Philippians 2:16) amid an evil world, where they are set to shine as luminaries, holding forth in its lustre the word of life: cp. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 also Matthew 5:14; John 1:6; John 5:35. For salvation-seeking is not egoism; Christian excellence is that of a lamp, the more radiant as it is better trimmed.

16b. The writer, too, will gain much by the advancing salvation and luminous witness of his converts: this will be for a glorying to myself against the day of Christ, as showing that I have not run in vain nor toiled in vain: cp. 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Galatians 2:2.

17, 18. Supposing the worst fears of the Philippians realised by his condemnation to death, their faith will turn this into a glad offering on the Apostle's part to God. Even in this issue, he joys and rejoices with them, and calls on them to joy and rejoice with him 1 While he and they are true to Christ, nothing can take away their common joy: cp. Philippians 1:20; Romans 8:31. St. Paul represents his death under the figure of a libation, or drink-offering (RM): his blood, shed for the salvation of the Gentiles (Romans 15:16; Colossians 1:24, etc.), would be poured out over the sacrifice and service rendered to God by the faith of his Churches—a shower that will feed the sacrificial flame.

IV. The Approaching Visits (Philippians 2:19)

§ 9. Philippians 2:19. The Apostle hopes however in the Lord Jesus (under His sovereign direction) that events will take a different course; he will send Timothy forthwith to Philippi, so soon as the outlook is clear, purposing himself to follow when free (Philippians 2:23): cp. Philippians 1:25; Philippians 1:26. The motive for sending is, that I too (as well as you) may be of good cheer through learning the news about you (as you through hearing about me); and the reasons for sending Timothy are, on the one hand, his genuine care for the Philippians and the absence of any one else like-minded (lit. 'equal-souled'), and on the other hand the knowledge the Philippians have of his character and intimacy with his master (Philippians 2:22). In the hard saying, they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ (RV), 'all' is limited by the context, and by the Gk. definite article, to St. Paul's available helpers. Some of his companions were busy elsewhere; others decline the errand through motives that he regards as selfish (Philippians 2:20).

§ 10. Philippians 2:25. Epaphroditus returns forthwith, carrying this letter (Philippians 2:25); see Intro. The Apostle heaps commendation upon him, apprehending seemingly that he might have a cool reception (see Philippians 2:29), since he is going home prematurely and without having rendered all the service expected. To St. Paul he has proved my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, having shared the Apostle's toils and labours to the best of his power; on behalf of the Philippians, your apostle (deputy-messenger) and minister (minister-in-sacred-things: this word is repeated in the service of Philippians 2:30) to my need. The Apostle sends him back thus early because of his homesickness, which was aggravated by news of the grief of his friends at his recent illness (Philippians 2:26)—an illness threatening death, which God had averted in mercy both to himself and to Paul; his immediate return, under these circumstances, is happier for all parties (Philippians 2:27): Epaphroditus, it seems, had fallen into sickness through some venture, beyond the common risks of travel, in which he had hazarded (the rare Gk. verb means 'gambling with') his life—'setting his life upon a cast'—to serve the Apostle on behalf of the Philippians in promoting the work of Christ (Philippians 2:30). How this came about, it is idle to conjecture.