CHAPTER II. _The apostle beseeches them by various considerations, to live_ _in unity and in the spirit of the Gospel, loving each other;_ _and each to prefer his brother to himself_, 1-4. _He exhorts them to be like-minded with Christ, who, though in_ _the form of God, and equal with God, made... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 2:2. _FULFIL YE MY JOY_] Ye ought to complete my joy, who have suffered so much to bring you into the possession of these blessings, by being _like-minded_ with myself, having _the same love_ to God, his cause, and me, as I have to him, his cause, and you. BEING _OF ONE ACCORD_] B... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 2:3. LET _NOTHING_ BE DONE _THROUGH STRIFE_] Never be opposed to each other; never act from _separate interests_; ye are all _brethren_, and of one _body_; therefore let every member feel and labour for the welfare of the whole. And, in the exercise of your different functions, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 2:4. _LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS_] Do nothing through self-interest in the things of God; nor arrogate to yourselves _gifts, graces_, and _fruits_, which belong to _others_; ye are all called to promote God's glory and the salvation of men. Labour for this, and every one... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST_ _JESUS_] Christ laboured to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race. See then that ye have the same _disposition_ that was in Jesus: he was ever _humble,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _WHO, BEING IN THE FORM OF GOD_] This verse has been the subject of much criticism, and some controversy. Dr. _Whitby_ has, perhaps, on the whole, spoken best on this point; but his arguments are too diffuse to be admitted here. Dr. _Macknight_ has abridged the words of Dr. _Whitby_, and p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _BUT MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION_] εαυτονεκενωσε. _He emptied himself _- did not appear in his glory, for he assumed the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. And his being made in the likeness of man, and assuming the form of a servant, was a _proof_ that he had _emptied_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN_] Και σχηματι εὑρεθεις ὡς ανθρωπος. This clause should be joined to the preceding, and thus translated: _Being made in the likeness of man,_ _and was found in fashion as a man_. _HE HUMBLED HIMSELF_] Laid himself as low as possible: 1. In _emptying h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _WHEREFORE GOD ALSO HATH HIGHLY EXALTED HIM_] If by his _humiliation_ he has merited pardon and final salvation for the whole world, is it to be wondered that the human body, in which this fulness of the Godhead dwelt, and in which the punishment due to our sins was borne upon the tree, sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD HOW_] That all human beings should consider themselves redeemed unto God by his blood, and look for an application of this redemption price; and that all who are saved from their sin should acknowledge him the author of their salvation. In a wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _AND_ THAT _EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS_] That all those before mentioned should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, or _absolute governor_, and thus glorify God the Father, who has exalted this human nature to this state of ineffable glory, in virtue of its passion, death, resurrection... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _AS YE HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED_] Continue to act on the same _principles_ and from the same _motives_; having the _same_ _disposition_ which was in Christ; labouring so as to promote his glory. _WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION_] Go on, walking by the same rule, and minding the same thing, till you... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU_] Every holy purpose, pious resolution, good word, and good work, must come from him; ye must be _workers together with him_, that ye receive not his grace in vain; _because he worketh in you_, therefore work with him, and work out your own salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT MURMURINGS_] γογγυσμων και διαλογισμων. _Without grumblings and altercations_. Be _patient_ in, and _contented_ with, your work; and see that ye _fall not out by_ _the way_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THAT YE MAY BE BLAMELESS_] In yourselves, and _harmless_ to others. _THE SONS OF GOD_] Showing by your holy conduct that ye are partakers of the _Divine nature_. _WITHOUT REBUKE_] Persons against whom no charge of transgression can justly be laid. _A CROOKED AND PERVERSE_] Probably ref... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE_] An allusion, some think, to those _towers_ which were built at the entrance of harbours, on which _fires_ were kept during the night to direct ships into the port. Genuine Christians, by their holy lives and conversation, are the means of _directing_ other... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _YEA, AND IF I BE OFFERED UPON THE SACRIFICE AND_ _SERVICE_] The metaphor appears to be still carried on. As it was customary for the weather-beaten mariner, when he had gained his port, to offer a sacrifice, θυσια, to God, of some particular animal which he had vowed while in his state o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _FOR THE SAME CAUSE ALSO DO YE JOY_] Should I be thus offered, as I shall rejoice in it, do ye also rejoice that I am counted worthy of this high honour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _BUT I TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS_] He is governor and disposer of all events, being above all principality and power; and I humbly confide in his power and goodness that I shall be a little longer spared to visit you again, Philippians 2:24, and to be able to send Timothy shortly to you. _W... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _FOR I HAVE NO MAN LIKE-MINDED_] None of all my fellow helpers in the Gospel have the same zeal and affectionate concern for your prosperity in every respect as he has. He is ισοψυχος. _of the same soul_; a man after my own heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _FOR ALL SEEK THEIR OWN_] This must relate to the persons who _preached Christ even of envy and strife_, Philippians 1:15; these must be very careless whether souls were saved or not by such preaching; and even those who preached the Gospel _out of good_ _will_ might not be fit for such an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _YE KNOW THE PROOF OF HIM, THAT, AS A SON WITH THE_ _FATHER, HE HATH SERVED WITH ME_] The Philippians had _full proof_ of the affectionate attachment of Timothy to Paul, for he had laboured with him there, as we learn from Acts 16:1; Acts 17:14; and we find from what is said here that Timo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _HOW IT WILL GO WITH ME._] The apostle was now in _captivity_; his _trial_ appears to have been approaching, and of its _issue_ he was doubtful; though he seems to have had a general persuasion that he should be spared, see Philippians 2:19; Philippians 2:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _EPAPHRODITUS, MY BROTHER_, c.] Here is a very high character of this minister of Christ he was, 1. A _brother_-one of the _Christian family_; a thorough convert to God, without which he could not have been a preacher of the Gospel. 2. He was a _companion in labour_; he laboured, and lab... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _YE HAD HEARD THAT HE HAD BEEN SICK._] "In this passage," says Dr. Paley, "no intimation is given that the recovery of Epaphroditus was _miraculous_, it is plainly spoken of as a _natural event_. This instance, together with that in the Second Epistle to Timothy, _Trophimus have I left at... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _LEST I SHOULD HAVE SORROW UPON SORROW._] The sorrows of his _death_, added to the sorrow he endured on account of his _sickness_; or he may refer to his own state of _affliction_, being _imprisoned_ and _maltreated_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _THE MORE CAREFULLY_] σπουδαιοτερως. With the more _haste_ or _despatch_; because, having suffered so much on account of his apprehended death, they could not be too soon comforted by seeing him alive and restored.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _RECEIVE HIM THEREFORE IN THE LORD_] For the Lord's sake receive him, and as the Lord's servant; _and hold such_ zealous, disinterested, and holy preachers _in reputation _- honour those whom ye perceive God hath honoured.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Philippians 2:30. _FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST_] Preaching the Gospel, and ministering to the distressed. _HE WAS NIGH UNTO DEATH_] Having laboured far beyond his strength. _NOT REGARDING HIS LIFE_] Instead of παραβουλευσαμενος τη ψυχη, _not regarding his life_, παραβολευσαμενος, _risking his lif... [ Continue Reading ]