The Philippians felt a very deep interest for the apostle.
The scope of the epistle is to confirm them in the faith, to
encourage them to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, to
caution them against judaizing teachers, and to express
gratitude for their Christian bounty. This epistle is the only
one, among those written by St. Paul, in which no censures are
implied or expressed. Full commendation and confidence are in
every part, and the Philippians are addressed with a peculiar
affection, which every serious reader will perceive.
he apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for the good
work of grace in the Philippians. (1-7) He expresses affection,
and prays for them. (8-11) Fortifies them against being cast
down at his sufferings. (12-20) He stood prepared for glorifying
Christ by life, or death. (21-26) Exhortations to zeal, and
constancy in professing the gospel. (27-30)
Verses 1-7: The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be
servants of Christ. And those who are not really saints on
earth, never will be saints in heaven. Out of Christ, the best
saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. There is no
peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine
favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father,
the fountain and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the
apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit of his labour;
yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for
the graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we
receive the benefit, and God receives the glory. The work of
grace will never be perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the
day of his appearance. But we may always be confident God will
perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has really begun
it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward
appearances, nor in any thing but a new creation to holiness.
People are dear to their ministers, when they receive benefit by
their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be
dear one to another.
Verses 8-11: Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves
and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more.
Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which
are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and
they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind.
Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in
the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians
should not be apt to take offence, and should be very careful
not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honour
God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether
any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of
Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy
any.
Verses 12-20: The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the
offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in
his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would
never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after
the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from
enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ
out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds
that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the
midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many,
we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the
Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking
for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be
honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst
temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ,
which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by
labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his
honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering
for him.
Verses 21-26: Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he
loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true
believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and
misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings
him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not
between living in this world and living in heaven; between these
two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this
world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things,
but between two good things; living to Christ and being with
him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us
willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but
when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and
death, for ever. But those who have most reason to desire to
depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God
has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are
before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.
Verses 27-30: Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as
becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws,
and depend upon gospel promises. The original word
"conversation" denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the
credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is
that in the faith of the gospel, which is worth striving for;
there is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man
may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to heaven, must
look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart
and affection among Christians, where there is diversity of
judgment about many things. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of
Christ; the ability and disposition to believe are from God. And
if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon them
a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be
ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and
worldly persecutions deserved it; but from God only is
salvation: faith and patience are his gifts.
he apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for the good
work of grace in the Philippians. (1-7) He expresses affection,
and prays for them. (8-11) Fortifies them against being cast
down at his sufferings. (12-20) He stood prepared for glorifying
Christ by life, or death. (21-26) Exhortations to zeal, and
constancy in professing the gospel. (27-30)