Philippians 1

Ver. 1. — with the bishops and deacons:] The words “bishop” and “elder,” or “presbyter,” are often used promiscuously in the writings of the New Testament. The Bishop, properly so called, of Philippi, being by the ancients said to be Epaphroditus, who was with St. Paul at the time of this Epistle being written, and who carried it from Rome, hence by “bishops” here are generally understood only “elders” or “presbyters” properly so called. Drs. Wells and Whitby. See the note on chap. ii. 25.

Ver. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, &c.] As if he had said, If ever you have tasted, by means of my ministry, any sweetness and consolation in Christ and His holy religion, if ever you have found any comfort in His love, if ever you have enjoyed any communion with His Spirit, if ye be men, and have any bowels of mercy for yourselves, if ye be Christians, and have any pity for me in my bonds, fulfil ye my joy, &c. Burkitt. These words are not an expression of doubt, but the strongest affirmation that there is the greatest consolation in Christ, &c. 2 Cor. i. 4. Dr. Macknight.

Philippians 1:3

3. I thank my God] This being in the singular number, shews St. Paul to have been the author of the Epistle, though Timothy was joined with him in the salutation. Pyle, Dr. Whitby.

Philippians 1:5

5. For your fellowship in the gospel &c.] That by our ministry 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, until now. Bp. Hall. “Fellowship” here signifies the communion of the Philippians with the Apostles in the Gospel, as it does 1 John i. 3, 7. Dr. Whitby. The phrase includes the attention, with which they heard the Gospel, and the readiness of mind with which they embraced it, and their perseverance in the profession of it, in opposition both to the heathens and to the Jews. Dr. Macknight.

Philippians 1:6

6. Being confident of this very thing, &c.] The Apostle says this from a judgment of charity, conjecturing, saith Theophylact, from what was past, what they would be for the future: because, he adds, it seems just or fit for me to conceive this good hope of you, by reason of that great affection you retain for me, and your patience

Philippians 1:7

7. — because I have you in my heart:] Or, as in the margin, ‘because you have me at heart.’ Pyle. That is, because you have had your hearts upon me in my bonds, sending Epaphroditus to minister to me in my necessities, chap. ii. 25; and contributing to me of your own substance, chap. iv. 14. These things confirm my hope concerning you, especially when I find you yet standing firm under the like afflictions; see ver. 30. Dr. Whitby.

— ye all are partakers of my grace.] That is, of the honour of suffering the same things that I have suffered in defence of the Gospel. Dr. Hammond. Or, Ye are enabled by the like grace of God, as I am, to suffer for the Gospel. Dr. Wells.

Philippians 1:8

8. — in the bowels of Jesus Christ.] With the highest and most passionate degree of Christian love. Dr. Hammond.

Philippians 1:10

10. That ye may approve things that are excellent:] Rather, ’the things that are excellent.’ Dr. Whitby. All such things as the Gospel requires. Burkitt. The truth of God, as distinguished from the vain fancies of men. Bp. Hall.

— till the day of Christ:] That is, till death: but he rather mentions the day of judgment, because then will be rendered the complete reward. Bp. Fell.

Philippians 1:11

11. — filled with the fruits of righteousness, — unto the glory and praise of God.] Nothing can be more plain from hence than this; that we then advance the glory and praise of God, when our love towards others does

The gospel furthered by Paul’s bonds. Anno DOMINI 64.

Philippians 1:12

12. But I would ye should understand, brethren, &c.] The Apostle here proceeds, according to the desire of the Philippians, to give them an account of his present state and condition; assuring them, lest they should stumble at his present sufferings, that the things, which had happened to him through the malice of his persecutors, had turned out to the furtherance, rather than the hindrance, of the Gospel. Pyle, Burkitt.

Philippians 1:13

13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace,] He means, that his imprisonment for the Gospel was manifestly taken notice of in the court of the emperor, as well as elsewhere in the city: so that people, inquiring into the cause of his sufferings, found that it was not any misdemeanour, but his preaching and practising of the doctrine and duties of Christianity. Burkitt.

Philippians 1:14

14. — waxing confident by my bonds,] By the example of my patience and courage in them. Dr. Wells.

Philippians 1:15

15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;] Envying the success of the Apostle’s ministry, and endeavouring to draw people off from approving him, to applaud them; hoping to grieve and afflict him thereby: others preached the Gospel of Christ “of goodwill,” with a purity of intention and sincerity of affection, both towards Christ and towards the Apostle. Burkitt.

Philippians 1:17

17. — that I am set for the defence of the gospel.] Or appointed by Christ in a special manner for that purpose. Dr. Wells, Parkhurst. That the province of defending the Christian religion has been entrusted to me. Schleusner.

Philippians 1:18

18. — whether in pretence, or in truth,] Whether with only an outward show and appearance of piety and zeal, or with sincerity. Dr. Doddridge, Parkhurst.

“Truth” and “pretence” here relate, not to the matters preached, but to the views of the preachers. From whatever motive Christ was preached, provided it was the truth concerning Him, it was matter of joy to the Apostle. Dr. Macknight.

Philippians 1:19

19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation &c.] The meaning may be an expression of the Apostle’s confident persuasion, that all the designs of his adversaries against him should be so overruled and ordered by God, that, through the influence and supplies of the Holy Spirit, all should work together for good, and his eternal salvation be advanced thereby, through the concurrence and assistance of their prayers. Burkitt.

Philippians 1:20

20. — Christ shall be magnified in my body,] For if I live in the body, the power of Christ will be magnified in delivering me out of so great a danger; but if I be put to death for His sake, that power will be magnified, which enables me to die for the faith so cheerfully as I am ready to do. Dr. Whitby.

Philippians 1:21

21. For to me to live is Christ; and to die is gain.] The only difference between life and death to me is, that by the one I shall continue the longer in Christ’s service, and by the other shall be the sooner rewarded. Pyle.

Philippians 1:22

22. — this is the fruit of my labour:] That is, the service of Christ in converting or strengthening others is well worth my labour: so that were it left to my choice I should be in a strait, which of the two conditions to choose. Drs. Wells and Whitby.

Philippians 1:23

23. — which is far better:] Namely, for myself, than continuing in this life, if I had respect only to my own ease. Dr. Wells. The original phrase, which may be literally rendered ‘by much far better,’ is the highest superlative which it is possible to form in any language. Dr. Macknight.

Philippians 1:25

25. — I know that I shall abide and continue with you] I am fully persuaded that God will so order it, that I shall live and see you again. Pyle.

He exhorteth to fortitude, unity, and humility.

Anno DOMINI 64. more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Philippians 1:28

28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:] It evidently appears from this, and from several other passages in this Epistle, that the Philippians were now in a suffering state, which is a circumstance to be borne in mind as we go on, since it illustrates several masterly strokes in the Apostle’s address to them. Dr. Doddridge.

— which is to them an evident token of perdition.] The meaning is, either that the threats and persecutions of the adversaries shew them to be an obstinate and incurable people, bent on their own destruction: or the word “which” may refer to the Philippians “standing fast;” and the “token of perdition to them” may signify, that their adversaries took this steadfastness of theirs to be a token of their perdition; but, says the Apostle, look you upon it as a token of your salvation. Pyle.

Philippians 1:29

29. For unto you it is given &c.] Namely, by God, as a special favour. Dr. Whitby. St. Paul wished the Philippians to consider their sufferings for Christ as an honour, and to rejoice in them. Thus it is said of the Apostles, Actav. 41, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Dr. Macknight.

Philippians 1:30

30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, &c.] With this passage, and the two first verses of the following chapter, compare Acts xvi. 22—24. The passage in the Epistle is very remarkable. I know not an example in any writing of a juster pathos, or which more truly represents the workings of a warm and affectionate mind, than what is exhibited in this passage. The Apostle reminds his Philippians of their being joined with himself in the endurance of persecution for the sake of Christ; he conjures them by the ties of their common profession, and their common sufferings, to “fulfil his joy;” to complete, by the unity of their faith, and by their mutual love, that joy, with which the instances he had received of their zeal and attachment had inspired his breast. Now if this was the real effu-

that they be as lights to the wicked world, 16 and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God. 19 He hopeth to send Timothy to them, whom he greatly commendeth, 25 as Epaphroditus also, whom he presently sendeth to them.

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,