Philippians 4

Philippians 4:1

MY joy and my crown] My honour and greatest ornament; or for whose knowledge and profiting in the Gospel through my labours among you, a crown is laid up for me in heaven, 2 Tim. 4. 8.

Philippians 4:2

beseech Euodius] Or, exhort.

beseech Syntyche] Or, exhort.

Philippians 4:3

true yoke-fellow] By yoked-fellow the Apostle understandeth not his wife, as some of the ancients imagined: for he had no wife when he wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians, as appears, 1 Corinthians 7:7. and we read not that ever he married afterwards; but either he understandeth the husband of one of the women he mentioned before, or some chief and principall pastour to whom the Epistles of the Apostles were usually addressed, and by them afterwards read before all the congregation.

women which laboured with me in the Gospel] Not which preached the Gospel with Saint Paul, but who took pains to minister unto the Apostle, and were partakers of the combats and difficulties which he suffered from the enemies of the Gospel.

whose names are in the book of life] See Revelation 3:5. & Revelation 20:12. & Revelation 21:27. A metaphor taken from the enrolling of Citizens, or souldiers, that they may be known and held for such. This roll is called here the Book of life, because therein are written all the elect who are ordained to eternall life, Exodus 32:32. Luke 10:20. Revelation 3:5. & Revelation 17:8. & Revelation 20:12. 15.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoyce in the Lord] See Philip. 3. 1.

Philippians 4:5

moderation] Or, equitie, or equall carriage.

The Lord is at hand] Either for your present succour, Psalms 33:18. or he will come shortly to set an end to all your sufferings; and revenge all the wrongs, done to all his Saints, viz. at the day of Judgement.

Philippians 4:6

Be carefull for nothing] See Matthew 6:31. 34. 1 Pet. 5. 7.

supplication with thanksgiving] So David beginneth very often with supplication and tears, but endeth with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:7

peace of God] Gr. Tec. Christ. The true spirituall and incomprehensible rest and quietnesse of mind wrought by Gods Spirit in your hearts will keep you from all terrour, anxietie and trouble. See Romans 5:1.

hearts and minds] He divideth the heart and the mind; by the heart, understanding the will and affections; by the mind, the understanding, or intellective facultie.

through] Or, in.

Philippians 4:8

honest Or, venerable.

Philippians 4:10

your care of me hath flourished again] Or, is revived. A metaphor taken from Plants which are dead in the Winter, but revive and flourish in the Spring: so it should seeme that their care for the Apostle was intermitted for a season; either through forgetfulnesse, or want of opportunitie to send unto him; but now put forth as it were again, as flowers do in the Spring.

Philippians 4:11

be content] See 1 Timothy 6:5. 8.

Philippians 4:12

abased] Or, humbled.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things] The word in the Originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth not properly I can do all things, but I am able for all things; namely, those things he mentioned before; which were rather passions then actions, as to be abased and to suffer need, &c.

through] Gr. in.

Philippians 4:15

as concerning giving] Or, to the account of giving.

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift] It is all one to me whether I want or abound; but in this I desire a benefit may accrue unto you: for this fruit of your love will be allowed upon your account at the last day.

Philippians 4:18

I have all] Or, I have received all.

an odour of a sweet smell] He alludeth to the sweet smelling savours offered in the old law.

a sacrifice acceptable] See Hebrews 13:16.

Philippians 4:22

of Cesars houshold] This Caesar was Nero, in whose palace Saint Paul bonds were made manifest, Phil. 1. 13. and God gave such a blessing to his preaching and sufferings that he made some converts there, who afterwards proved martyrs; namely, Evellius and Torpetes, if at least we may beleeve the Romane Martyrologie.