Philippians 1

Philippians 1:1-2

He begins with the inscription and benediction, ver. 1, 2. He gives thanks for the saints at Philippi, ver. 3—7. His great affection and concern for their spiritual welfare, ver. 7—9. His prayers for them, ver. 9—11. His care to prevent their offence at his sufferings, ver. 12—20. His readiness to glorify Christ by life or death, ver. 21—27. He concludes with a double exhortation to strictness and constancy, ver. 27—30.

PAUL and Timotheus the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2. “Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostleical inscription and benediction opens the epistle. Paul and Timotheus, who joins him in all cordial salutations, the servants of Jesus Christ in the gospel, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, chosen in him, and in the fulness of time brought into real union with him in faith and holiness, with the bishops, the supreme officers in the church, and deacons, their assailants. Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Note, (1.) There can be no true peace but what flows from divine grace and favour. (2.) Every covenant mercy we receive at God’s hands, comes to us as the fruit of our adored Redeemer’s undertaking.

3. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4. (Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy) 5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, in as much as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment; 10. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ; 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:3-11

The apostle, after his gracious introduction, begins.

1. With thanksgivings to God on their behalf. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, and of the rich grace he hath bestowed upon you, (always, in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy, delighting in and over you) for your fellowship in the gospel, thankful for all the inestimable privileges

to which you have been admitted, for the love and union maintained among you, and for your liberality in contributing to the furtherance of the gospel, from the first day until now, with steadfastness and perseverance, in the midst of all opposition, continuing to approve your fidelity. Note, (1.) It is a great joy to a minister’s soul, when his people walk steadily in the fellowship of the gospel. (2.) Our grateful thanksgiving are ever due, which we are mentioning the divine mercies.

2. He expresses his confidence concerning them. Being confined of this very thing, that he would both hope a good work in you, by his sovereign grace converting your soul, according to his unchangeable promise and love, will perform and finish it until the day of Jesus Christ, when your salvation shall be perfected for ever. Note, (1.) Whatever good is found in us, it comes from God, who workseth in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. (2.) He who is the author must also be the finisher of the work of grace, that in eternity he may have all the profit. (3.) Where God begins, we may be confident he will bring to a happy end. His work is perfect, and his gifts and ceilings without repentance.

3. He gives the reason for that confidence in them which he entertained. Even as it is most for me to think this of you all, bound in the judgment of charity to esteem the whole church and every member true to their profession. And I the more readily entertain such a persuasion of you, though I have yet in my heart, embraced with my warmth affection, and sharing my constant remembrances, inasmuch as both in my hands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye are all parturers of my grace, enduring the like tribulations as I suffer, and by your sympathy with me, and your readiness to assist me, both in my bonds, and amidst all the opposition which I meet in defence of the gospel, ye manifestly appear to have received out of the same Redeemer’s fulness. Note, We are bound to think well of those, who not only make a creditable profession, but dare to falter for the truth themselves, or nobly own, even in bonds, those who do.

4. He appeals to God for the warm attachment of his heart unto them. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the benefit of Jesus Christ, with the truth spiritual affection, like that which Jesus himself feels for precious tools.

5. He tells them what were his prayers for them. And this I pray, (1.) That your love may abound yet more and more towards God and one another. (2.) That ye may advance in knowledge and in all judgment, grounded and settled in the true principles of the gospel, and that thus your love may be increased day by day. (3.) That ye may approve the things that are excellent, bringing every thing to the left of God’s word, that their different excellence may be ascertained; and examining by this unerring rule the doctrines of seduance, that the purity of the gospel may be maintained in opposition to their errors. (4.) That ye may be sincere and without offence, or allowed quite before God and man, true to your principles and upright in your conduct, till the slay of Christ, persevering in your fidelity, and walking as those who constantly eye a heart-searching God and a judgment-due. (5.) Even thus found faithful, you will be filled with the fruits of righteousness, with every divine temper and gracious work which the Spirit of God produces in the redeemed, and which are by Jesus Christ, accepted through him as well as derived from him, unto the prayer and glory of God. His own glory is the great end which he proposes in all his works, and which we therefore should ever regard as the great end of our being.

6. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. 13. So that my bonds + in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affection to my bonds. 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18. What then? notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20. According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, ye now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

7. 12—20. Nothing could tend more gloriously to remove the ignominy of Paul’s chain, or to comfort the hearts of his spiritual children, who might be much dejected at his reproaches and sufferings, than the account which he here gives.

8. Even in his bonds the gospel was not bound, but his sufferings tended to conform and propagate the knowledge of the truth. I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me, dark and afflictive as the dispensation might appear to you, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel; for God can easily bring the greatest good out of what appeared the greatest evil. Thus the blood of the martyrs hath ever been the seed of the church. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, where my sufferings to the gospel, and patient fortrude under them, are known to all the great men of Noro’s court, and in all other places, and are made the happy occasion of raising enquiries about the gospel in those who might not otherwise have heard it, and of bringing some under the youth found even out of Celia’s household. And many of the brethren in the Lord, wearing confidence in my bonds, and fully fathomed of the goodness of the cause, and of the hand of the Lord visible in the support he gives me, are much more bold than ever to speak the word without fear, and to proclaim the salvation which is only to be found in a crucified Jesus. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife, taking this opportunity of my imprisonment to pursue the hate and of setting up themselves, even under the covert of zeal for the gospel, correcting my reputation, and hoping to supplant me in the affection of the churches; and I am also of goodwill, with hearty affection to the cause, and true regard for me. The one preach Christ of contention, not of mere pride and rivalry; not sincerely, from a right principle of love unfeigned; but from envy, supposing to add affection to my bonds, to ingottering themselves, to my prejudice, with the members of the churches, or hoping to incense the government more against me by the noise they make, and the divisions they seek to raise; but the other preach Christ of love, truly attached to the Saviour, and longing to promote the salvation of immortal souls; knowing that I am so far the defence of the gospel, and suffered to bear these bonds on purpose to have an opportunity, before the highest in this world, publicly to vindicate and defend the cause of Christ. Note, (1.) Strange as it may appear, that any should preach Christ out of envy, so fable is the temper, and so corrupt the heart of man, that even the gospel may be turned into the gall of alps, and made the pedestal on which the proud heart would erect its reputation. (2.) Faithful souls are whetted by opposition, and made more bold by bonds and reproaches.

9. He expresses the joy he sets in his own soul, amidst all his suffered from open enemies and false friends. What then? tho’ some act on principles so bad, notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice: if his name is spread abroad, and his gospel propagated, that is matter of real joy; and the ministry may be best, though the preacher perishes. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, however different the designs of these men may be, and serve to procure my liberty the sooner, as well as to advance my soul’s present and eternal benefit, through your prayers daily offered up for me, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, which can enable me to improve under every dispensation, and cause it to work for good. According to my earnest expectation and hope that I shall be supported and delivered, and that in nothing I shall be ashamed of that glorious cause for which I suffer, but that with all boldness, and unshaken fortitude of mind, as always hitherto I have been enabled to act, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death; by longer patient suffering, if such he his will, by a faithful discharge of my trust, should I regain my liberty; or by tealing the testimony with my blood, if his glory so requires. Note, (1.) We are much indebted to our brethren’s prayers. (2.) The supply of the Spirit of Christ can make us all other wants, and cause every providence to prove a blessing. (3.) If we are not a shame to the gospel, we need never be ashamed of it, though devoted, for the fake thereof, to the most ignominious death.

10. For + to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith: 26. That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you again.

11. 24—26. The apostle was happy to die, yet for their sakes content to live.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain; living or dying, he is to me all and in all; for his glory I only desire to live, and in whatever way I die in his cause and service, I know it shall prove my everlasting gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruits of my labour, to preach and suffer for the truth’s sake, in order to advance my great Master’s cause: yet what I shall choose I wot not, whether like or death: for I am in a strait betwixt

rucin ten; having a defect to depart and to be with Christ, longing for the heavenly birthfulness in there, and to see him face to face, where sin, sorrow, and sighing, shall be for ever away; which is far better than any possible situation which I can be in here below: nevertheless, to abide in the faith in mere needful for you; and for your benefit I can gladly forego for a while my own happiness, and conflict still amidst the opposing powers of earth and hell. And having this confidence, that my abode below will be for your abdication, I know by divine intimations, that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith, to confirm and establish you yet more and more; that your rejoicing may be mere abundant in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again, restored to liberty, and enabled to reforme my useful labours among you. Note, (1.) If we can say with truth, or love is Christ, that his glory is not single aim, we may confidently add, to die is gain; how great, heaven can only tell. (2.) But for one thing can earth be truly desirable to the faithful, and that is the service which can be rendered to immortal souls, and the glory accruing thence to the Redeemer: for this therefore be lives.

27. Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand full in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. And in nothing terrified by your advantages; which is to them an evident esteem of perulation, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30. Having the same conflict which ye live in me, and now hear to be in me.

Philippians 1:27-30

The apostle closes with two exhortations.

1. Only let your conversation be as become the gospel of Christ, (enlistable). Hitherto as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, walk worthy of your high vocation, adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, and proving the solidity of your hope by the spirituality of your conduct; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs with joy, that ye stand full in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, united in truth and love; resting, with the most vigorous efforts, every perfecting or reducing, holding fast the unadulterated principles of grace, and building up each other in your most holy faith. Note, (1.) The faith of the gospel will ever meet with opposition. (2.) Unanimity among Christians is the great means of their establishment; while dissension and schism render them an easy prey.

2. In nothing terrified by your advantages, however many or mighty, whether from earth or hell; but defy their malice and rage, chewing unshaken to the blessed gospel; which is to them an evident term of perulation, but to you of salvation, and that of God; such patient and faithful suffering for the truth proves your interest in it; whilst the opposition of your own mind and in their eternal ruin. For unto you it is given, as your distinguished honour, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him in the saving of your souls, which is an eminent gift of God, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye live in me when I was with you, and steadily sustained the blood, and now hear to be in me. Note, (1.) Faith is the gift of God. (2.) Suffering and reproaches on the behalf of Christ are real honours. (3.) It is an encouragement to us patiently to endure the cros, when we see others cheerfully bearing it before us, and glorying in tribulation.