Philippians 2

Philippians 2:1

IF there be] seeing you have been witnesses of mine affliction: and that the communion of Christs members requires that they should enterchangeably comfort themselves through charity, and be united together by the same spirit, and to have the bowels of affectionate compassion open to one another, doe you shew your selves thus godly affected towards me, comforting me through your holy concord.

Philippians 2:2

Fulfill ye] following that which you have happily begun, and continued untill this time.

Philippians 2:5

This mind] or affection.

Philippians 2:6

Who being] not onely true God coessentiall with his father, but also appearing to Angels and men no otherwise but in divine glory and Majesty, Thought it not] that is to say, he was without any usurpation truely equall to God, and had his right by nature. See John 5:1-47. 〈◊〉.

Philippians 2:7

Made himselfe of no] the Italian, Made himself of nothing; that is to say, he brought himselfe as it were to nothing, hiding his divine glory for a time, and abstaining from the use and manifestation of it: and contrarywise having aking upon him humane nature, and making himselfe knowne in it. Which nature in comparison of God is nothing: and in that nature also subjecting himselfe to a most abject and wretched condition The forme] namely, an apparent quality and condition of a meere servant, obedient to his father, and subject to his Law, John 6:1-71. 8. to be judged and rewarded according to the merit of the worke: not for favour, or for dignity of the person, Esa. 53. 11. Galatians 4:4. subject to worldly power, Esa. 49. 7. and wholly devoted to mens benefit and service, having no regard of himselfe, Matth 20. 28. Romans 15:3; Romans 15:8. In the likenesse] in all things like unto man, excepting sinne, Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15.

Philippians 2:8

Being found] that is to say, having shewed himselfe in the world, as farre as could be descried by the senses, as plain man; which is spoken in opposition to that which faith did spiritually judge and see, namely, that he was the everlasting Son of God.

Philippians 2:9

Wherefore] as he hath made himself subject to the Law, so because he had perfectly satisfied it, God hath given his humane nature the reward of a glorious life promised by the Law in a most eminent degree, correspondent to that of his abasement: and by means of this exaltation, hath installed him in the glorious possession and administration of his heavenly kingdom, in which his divine Majestie, which before lay hidden, doth shine at full, which it expressed by the words following A name] that is to say, a dignity, glory, nd power.

Philippians 2:10

That at the] to bring all creatures either to a forced, or to a voluntary obedience and adoration of this Soveraigne King, as trembling to hear him but once named Things in heaven]this distinction is either more expresly to comprehend all creatures whatsoever: or by the heavenly, he means the Angels, Hebrews 1:6. By those on earth, men: by those under the earth, the devils, which are abissed in hell, Luke 8:31. 2 Peter 2:4. Jude 1:6. who are also constrained to tremble at the name of Jesus, and reverence it, see Mark 5:6.

Philippians 2:12

Work out] the Italian, accomplish; bend all your endeavours and strength to come to the mark, and to the accomplishing of your salvation, see 2 Cor. 〈◊〉. 1. With fear] with holy reverence, humility and care.

Philippians 2:13

For it is] he gives a reason why they should so imploy themselves, namely, because their labour shall not be in vaine, but Gods grace shall assist them, and powerfully cooperate with them. See Romans 6:13-14. or because they ought to doe it with feare, namely, because that being able to do nothing of themselves, but onely through Gods grace, they should not make themselves uncapable of it, through carnall security, confidence or presumption, Romans 11:20. but be ready and obedient to all Gods motions, whereof they are but onely the instruments.

Philippians 2:15

The word] namely, the doctrine of the Gospell of salvation, professed and administred by the Church; whose vertue is set forth and clearely proved, by the life and conversation of it.

Philippians 2:17

〈◊〉 and if it be] this sheweth that the Apostle, who perhaps had had some revelation of the prolonging of his life Philippians 1:25. did also foresee that he should end it by martyrdome Offered upon] the Italian, powred out upon the Offering and Sacrifice of your faith; a phrase taken from ancient Sacrifices, in which, besides the Offering, there was also added a powring on of some kind of liquor. See Exod.9. 40. The meaning is your faith and conversion is like a spirituall sacrifice, by which I have consecrated you to God Romans 15:16. and I will willingly adde mine owne blood to it for an accomplishment, and seale.

Philippians 2:19

In the Lord] namely, through his grace and assistance.

Philippians 2:20

For your estate] namely, for things belonging to your salvation, and to the happy estate of your Church.

Philippians 2:21

All] manner of people even some of the pastors, doe not imploy themselves in Christs service, with so entire an affection, as therefore renouncing his owne profits, and commodities. See 1 Cor. 10 33.

Philippians 2:22

The proofe] how he hath shewed himselfe to be an approved person by all the effects of fidelity.

Philippians 2:25

To send 〈◊〉 you] presently expecting an opportunity to send Timothy unto you, or to come my selfe In labour and] namely, in the ministery of the Gospell, and in the combates and persecutions for it, which he hath horne and suffered together with me Your messenger] the Italian, your Apostle; that is to say Evangelist, which was an office like unto a particular Apostle of a Province. See Romans 16:7. 〈◊〉 Cor. 8. 23. Others expound it, sent by you to bring me that supply which you have been pleased to furnish me with at my need.

Philippians 2:27

Mercy] not so much in preserving of him alive, as in restoring him to his perfect health, to finish the course of his service.

Philippians 2:28

Be the lesse] may receive some comfort and ease through your rejoycing, as 2 Corinthians 2:2.

Philippians 2:29

In the Lord] namely, with a truly spiritual and Christian affection.

Philippians 2:30

For the worke] He seemes to mean that this sicknesse proceeded from the toil of his voyage, undertaken for the love of Christ, to assist Paul who was his Minister, whereupon the service was reputed to be done to Christ himselfe, Matth. 25. 40 Not regarding] or being carelesse Your lacke] namely, to do that which you by reason of your absence and being so farre off could not do to me according to your desires.