Philippians 2

Philippians 2:1

ANy consolation] A most vehement exhortation to unitie and Christian love, by way of Rhetoricall adjuration; as if he should say, As ever you look to receive any comfort in Christ, or reap benefit by his love, and the communion between you and the Saints of God, fulfill my joy, by keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of love.

Philippians 2:4

Look not every man] The Apostle useth a word, which doth properly signifie to ayme or look narrowly as to a marke we shoot at; and his meaning is, that we should not principally or only ayme at our own honour, or profit: for otherwise a Christian ought to provide for his own houshold, 1 Timothy 5:8.

Philippians 2:5

Let this minde be in you] Or, the same. Be you so humble and charitably minde, and so respect the good of others, even with neglect of your own, as we see Christ our Saviour did.

Philippians 2:6

in the form of God] Either in the nature and effence of God, being very God, as the ancient Fathers generally expound the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here used; or in the state, that is, glory and majestie of God, appearing no otherwise, neither to Angels, nor to men, then as God in Divine glory and majestie.

not robbery] It was his right by nature (See John 5:8.) to be equall with God, and therefore the challenging it, could be no usurpation of anothers right, or taking to himself, that which was not his own: A like phrase is used in the Syriack rituall, where when Christ came to John to be baptized of him, John answereth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, I cannot commit a robbery by taking that upon me which belongeth not to me.

Philippians 2:7

made himself &c.] Gr. emptied himself.

of no reputation] Devested himself of his robes of majestie and glory, and brought himself as it were to nothing. Word for word, evacuated himself; laid aside for the time his divine Majestie; so Nazianzen,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

form of a servant] Either the true nature of man, who is a servant to God; or the qualiltie and condition of a servant, living in subjection, and receiving stripes for us. See Esa. 53. 2, 3, 4, 5.

likenesse of men] Or, habit. Like other meer men, as Hebrews 2:14. and Hebrews 4:15. Romans 8:3.

Philippians 2:8

fashion as a man] Or, shape. As a true man (not in shew and appearance onely) as John 1:14. We saw his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of God. Where as is demonstrationis, non similitudinis.

he humbled himself] In this verse there is a kind of gradation: for it is more to become obedient then to humble himself: more to yeeld unto death, then to become obedient: more to be crucified, then simply to die. For it was to submit himself to a most painfull, ignominious and a cursed death, Galatians 3:13.

Philippians 2:9

Wherefore God] Because he humbled himself folow, God exalted him so highly, viz above the grave in his resurrection, above the earth in his ascension, above the heavens in placing him at his right hand.

above every name] That is, a dignitie, glory, and power, above all names. For by means of this exaltation he hath enstalled him in the possession and glorious administration of his heavenly kingdome, wherein his divine Majestie whichi had been eclipsed for a while, doth shine again in full and perfect glory.

Philippians 2:10

at the name of Jesus] The Apostle in these words seemeth to have reference to Esa. 45. 23. and the meaning is, that all creatures should adore, and worship Christ, and yeeld him all obedience, either voluntarily, or by constraint, as to their Soveraign King, at whose very name they should fear and tremble. This is in part now performed in the Catholike Church dispersed through the whole world; but shall be perfectly accomplished at the dreadfull day of Judgement, Romans 14:11.

of things in heaven, &c.] Or, those. Of all creatures wheresoever they are, either in heaven as Angels, and the soules of them that sleep in the Lord; or on earth, as men living; or under the earth, as devils in hell and damned ghosts. For though Angels and Spirits have neither corporall knees, nor fleshly tongues, as men have; yet they have some means, whereby they are bound, and shall whether they will or no, expresse and testifie their subjection to our Lord and Saviour. See 1 Corinthians 13:1. and Apoc. 1. 7. and 5. 13. Or, Angels, men alive, and devils, Revelation 5:13.

things on earth] Or, those.

things under the earth] Or, those.

Philippians 2:12

work out your own salvation] That is, empoly, all your abilities, and endeavours to approve, and practise all the means, which God hath appointed for the accomplishment of your salvation, 2 Corinthians 7:1. Finish your sanctification in the feare of God.

with fear] Fear and trembling are not here opposed to spirituall confidence, but to carnall securitie; and imply no more then a holy reverence, humiltie and carefulnesse, (Psalms 2:11. Hebrews 12:28.) as Fulgentius speaketh, ne superbt amittamus quod indigni accepimus. Fear we may, and must out of the consideration of our own infirmitie: yet alwaies trust and be confident in God, who worketh in us both the will and the deed; by whose power we are kept through faith to salvation, 1 Peter 1:5.

Philippians 2:15

harmlesse] Or, sincere.

ye shine] Or, shine ye or, appear.

Philippians 2:17

and i I be offered] Gr. poured forth. If I be poured forth as a drink-offering upon the sacrifice of your faith; as if he had said, I have brought you Philippians to Christ, and now my desire is, that you present your selves a lively sacrifice to him, and then shall it not grieve me to be offered up as a drink-offering, to accomplish this your spirituall sacrifice, 2 Tim. 4. 6.

Philippians 2:19

But] Or, moreover.

Philippians 2:20

like-minded] Or, so dear unto me.

your state] Gr. those things that concern you.

Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own] See 1 Corinthians 10:24. All, that is, the greater part: for he excepteth Timothie and Epaphroditus: and his meaning is, that it is a vice incident to most, to preferre their own profit and worldly ends, before the glory of Christ.

Philippians 2:25

messenger] Gr. Apostle.

Philippians 2:28

the lesse sowfull] Gr. more without sorrow.

Philippians 2:29

hold such in reputation] Or, honour such.

Philippians 2:30

work of Christ] By the work of Christ, he meaneth his labour in preaching: or his watching and pains taking in ministring to Pauls necessitie, calling it the work of Christ to visit Christ beeing poore and in bands in the person of Paul, Matthew 25:36. 40.