Philippians 1

Philippians 1:1

WHich are at Philippi] Gr. which are in Philippi.

with the Bishops and Deacons] The Synod of Nice forbad two or more Bishops to have their Seats in one Citie; and before that, Cornelius Bishop of Rome upbraids Novatus with ignorance (as Eusebius writeth in his sixt Book of Ecclesiasticall story) for that he knew not that there ought to be but one Bishop in that Church, in which he could not be ignorant that there were forty six Presbyters; and Oecumenius and Chrysostome affirme as much of Philippi, it being but one Citie, it cannot be supposed that there should be in it at the same time, more Bishops, in that restrained sense, as the word Bishop was afterwards taken. Here therefore by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, we are to understand the whole Ministery at Philippi, consisting of Presbyters, to whom the government of the Church was committed; and Deacons, who not onely had the care of the poor, but also assisted the Ministers in their Ecclesiasticall function.

Philippians 1:3

remembrance] Or, mention.

Philippians 1:5

For your fellowship in the Gospel] Or, concerning. That by our Ministery ye have been brought to the communion and fellowship of the profession of the Gospel, and have so continued from the first day that you heard of it, even till now.

Philippians 1:6

will perform it] Or, will finish it.

untill the day of Jesus Christ] The Spirit of God will not forsake you unto the very latter end, untill your mortall bodies shall appear before the judgement of Christ to be glorified.

Philippians 1:7

I have you in my heart] Or, you have me in your heart.

in as much as both] Or, how that both.

ye all are] Or, ye all were.

partakers of my grace] Or, partakers with me of grace; or, of the same grace with me. Ye are all partakers with me of the same grace and mercy of God, in your effectuall calling: Or, by grace he meaneth that honour which God conferred upon him, in making him a noble confessour of the truth, and thinking him worthy to suffer for so good a cause. It seemeth therefore that some of the Philippians were partakers with the Apostle in his bonds, which the Apostle was so farre from esteeming any disgrace or disparagement to him, that he accounted them a grace, and an ornament to him. As also did the noble Martyr Babylas, who gave charge at his death, that his bolts should not be knockt off his feet, but be buried with him.

in knowledge] By knowledge some understand the contemplative science of divinity and coelestiall mysteries: by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a practicall or experimentall knowledge, a sensible feeling of the work of grace in our hearts.

judgement] Or, sense.

Philippians 1:10

approve things, &c.] Or, trie. The words in the Originall riginall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, may bear a double construction, Either I pray God that your love may abound in all knowledge and judgement sensibly to discern the difference between the truth of God, and vain fancies of men; or between earthly trash and heavenly treasure: or, I pray God your love may abound in all knowledge and judgement, whereby you may, approve of, and rightly value the excellent mysteries of salvation.

are excellent] Or, differ.

Philippians 1:11

filled with the fruits of righteousnesse] Gr. Tec. fruit. The fruits of righteousnesse are good works, both pleasing to God, and profitable to men. For righteousnesse may be compared fitly to a tree, whose buds are good intentions and purposes; blossomes, good words; and fruits, good works. If we follow the reading of Tecla, and the Greek Scholiast, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the singular number, then by this fruit which we bear by being ingrafted into the true Vine, Christ Jesus, he may understand, peace and joy in the holy Ghost, which is the fruit of the righteousnesse of faith.

are] Gr. Tec. is.

Philippians 1:12

my bonds in Christ] Or, for Christ. That is, the bonds and imprisonment which I suffer for Christs sake, howsoever they were by Satan and his complices intended to the disgrace and hinderance of the Gospel, yet quite contrary by the providence and goodnesse of God, they are turned to my great honour, and the advancement also of true religion; for all Nero’s Court rings of my bonds, and the cause thereof.

the place] Or, Cesars Court.

in all other places] Or, to all others.

Philippians 1:14

word without fear] Gr. Tec. word of God without fear.

Philippians 1:16

The one preach Christ of contention] Either out of envie, to out-strip me, or a desire to procure my death, that Nero through their preaching, hearing of the generall dispersing of the doctrine taught by me, might be thereby inraged to take away my life, whom he hath now in bonds, to do with me what he will.

sincerely] Or, purely.

adde] Gr. Tec. stirre up.

Philippians 1:17

set for the defence of the Gospel] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth properly to lie, and so it may be here taken, and then the meaning is, some out of love preach the Gospel to further my account at the last day, knowing that I lie in prison for the Gospel sake, and by that my imprisonment am hindered in the exercise of my Apostolicall function. If we retain the common translation, I am st for the defence of the Gospel, then the meaning is, God hath appointed me a Champion of the Gospel, and set me in my station, to maintain it; which, through the power of his grace, I will keep, whatsoever dangers or terrours are before me.

Philippians 1:18

and I therein do rejoyce] He sheweth by setting forth his own example, that the end of our afflictions is true joy, and that through the operation of the Spirit of Christ, which giveth to them that aske.

Philippians 1:19

shall turn to my salvation] As Joseph spake to his brethren, Genesis 50:20. You thought evill against me, but God turned it to good; so the Apostle here comforteth himself with this, that whatsoever mischief his adversaries pretended against him, by adding affliction to his bonds, yet that God would so order all things, that even the persecution which was raised against him, a should turn to the furtherance of his salvation, and increase of his joy here, and glory hereafter.

Philippians 1:20

earnest expectation, and my hope] We must continue even unto the end, with great confidence, having nothing before our eyes but Christs glory; whether we live or die, my hope is, that in nothing I shall be ashamed; that in nothing they can do, or taht can befall me, I shall have any cause to be dejected, abashed, or discouraged.

with] Gr. in.

Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain] Or, Christ is to me life, in and death gain] In Greek, as sometimes also in Latine, a Verb in the Infinitive mood is put for a Noun, as nostrum hoc vivere triste, for, nostra haec vita trisis; and, scire tuum nihil est, for, scientia tua nihil est; so here, mihi vivere est Christus, for, mihi vita est Christus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. est Christus, for, mihi vita est Christus:〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And in this sense Nysson understandeth the phrase in Epitaph. Basill 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which the learned Interpreter thus rendereth, Christus vita utrique erat, Christ was life to them both, and death a like adavantage. The meaning is evidently this, Christ is my life here by grace, and hereafter by glory; he is both the Author and the end of my life; I live for him, I live to him, I live in him, I live by him, and if I be put to death, that shall no way endamage me, but rather bring me great advantage, in regard that thereby I shall exchange and gain heaven for earth, and a happy eternall life, for this miserable and mortall. Or, all the gian I aym at in life or death, is Christ, namely, to glorifie him by my service. Acts 20:24. & Acts 21:13.

Philippians 1:22

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour] Or, But whether to live in the flesh be profitable for me, or what I should chuse. That Christ is magnified in my body, whether of the two I should chuse, life or death, cannot resolve.

Philippians 1:23

For I am in a strait betwixt two] I am perplexed and doubtfull betwixt these two desires and wishes, there being very forcible and weighty arguments on either side.

having a desire to depart] Or, be dissolved; or, loosed. To return to my own and proper home, 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8-9. 2 Timothy 4:6. The word in the Originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth either to be resolved, namely, into my first principles, as the Philosophers speak; or, dissolved, whereby the Apostle intimateth, that death is no destruction, but a dissolution onely, or taking asunder the parts, of which we are composed; that is, a seperation of the soul from the body. The word signifieth also to change our abode or dwelling, that is, to depart this life, by a metaphor taken from those that quit their Innes, to further their travell homewards; or from such as be ready to go to Sea, and to set Sail for another countrey, untie and loosen the cables, whereby the ship lay fastened and bound at the shore. It signifieth also, to be released, and set at large, and at libertie; and it is very probable, that the Apostle in this phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, had a reference both to his bonds and to his death; and his meaning is, I desire to be discharged and released, as out of a common Gaole, so also out of the prison of my body, that I may presently be with Christ my Saviour in heaven, in rest and blisse.

Philippians 1:24

Neverthelesse to abide in the flesh] Here we have an example of a true shepheard, who maketh more account how he may profit his flock, then of any commoditie of his own whatsoever, though it were better for his owne particular to glorifie Christ by his present death and Martyrdom, that so he might presently enjoy Christ, and receive his Crown of glory; yet he chuseth rather to abide in the flesh, and prolong his life, though in miseries, perils, and bonds, for the furtherance and joy of their faith.

Philippians 1:26

for me] Gr. in me.

Philippians 1:27

Onely let your conversation be, &c.] See Ephesians 4:1. Colos. 1. 10. 2 Thess. 2. 12. Having ended his Preface, he descendeth now to exhortation; and first of all, he exhorteth to unitie and consent, that being knit together with common bonds, they continue through the strength of faith to bear all adversitie in such sort, that they do nothing unworthy the profession of the Gospel.

stand fast in one spirit] It is a metaphor taken from wrestlers, that keep their ground, and shrink not a foot.

Philippians 1:28

in nothing terrified by your adversaries] We ought not to be disheartened, but rather incouraged by the persecutions which the enemies of the Gospel threaten and raise against us, seeing that they are certain witnesses and evidences from God himself, both of our salvation, and of their destruction.

Philippians 1:29

For unto you it is given] Gr. Tec. unto us. He proveth what he said before, that sufferings persecution is a token of our salvation, because it is a gift of God to suffer for Christ, which gift he bestoweth upon his own, as he doth the gift of faith. (2 Tim. 3. 12. 2 Thes. 1. 5.)

Philippians 1:30

Having the same conflict which you saw in me] Or, same fight. At my being with you, whereof we reade, Acts 16. 19, &c.

and now hear to be in me] By the relation of others what I now endure in my bonds there at Rome.