Philippians 1

• Chap. I. Ver. 1—30. Introduction; with an exposition of Ver. 5. For your fellowship—That is, the Christian communion which he had at different times enjoyed with them. Ver. 6. He which hath begun, &c. will perform.—This may be understood either of the church, or of individual believers. ‘The objection, that confidence of success has a tendency to produce carelessness and indifference, is so contrary to the general experience of mankind, that we cannot but wonder when we see it mentioned. What so much animates and encourages any person in the progress of a great work, as the persuasion that he shall be enabled to complete it?——The day of Jesus Christ—i.e. of death and judgment. Ver. 7. I have you in my heart—i.e. you have a deep interest in my affections. See Margin. The phrase is equivocal, and no doubt but the regard was mutual.—— Ye all are partakers of my grace—i.e. partakers of the same grace that I am. Ver. 9. In knowledge.—Rather, perhaps, with knowledge; meaning that their love might be guided by knowledge and discretion.— And in all judgment.—Doddridge, “perception.” Macknight, “feeling,” or “sensibility.” Ver. 10, Things that are excellent.—Paul meant men and things, and a delicate sensibility, or “moral feeling,” was necessary to guard the Philippians against being imposed upon. See ver. 15.—Sin- Ver. 16. Not sincerely—i.e. as Doddridge explains it, not with a pure and simple aim for the salvation of souls.

Have modern times produced no instances of preachers pretending to be highly evangelical, out of an envious desire to rival and supplant their brethren? Ver. 18. I therein do rejoice.—A good man should rejoice in the spread of the gospel, even though his own popularity, or even his congregation, should be diminished thereby. Ver. 21. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.—Some render thus, “Christ is gain to me, living or dying;” but this is rather a paraphrase than a translation; and, as Doddridge remarks, destroys the beautiful antithesis between the members of the sentence. Ver. 22. What I shall choose, &c.—Doddridge, “Which I should choose I know not.” Ver. 23. I am in a strait betwixt two.—Doddridge, “I am borne two different ways.”

He adds, “the original seems to be an allusion to a ship riding at anchor, and at the same time likely to be forced to sea by the violence of the winds.—— Which is yet better.—Macknight, “By much far better.” This, he adds, “is the highest superlative which it is possible to form in any language.”