Philippians 1

1 bishops and deacons. It appears that the Philippian church had two kinds of officers, with a plurality of each: see 1 Tim. iii. 1-13, and notes.

3 upon every remembrance of you. “Upon all my remembrance of you” (Lightfoot); “my whole memory of you” (Moule).

5 fellowship in the gospel. Rather, “fellowship unto the gospel,” i.e., co-operation with the apostle for its furtherance; with some special reference to their liberality to himself (see iv. 14-16). Their generous devotedness to the service of Christ he regarded as God’s work in them, and therefore as a pledge of their perseverance in their Christian calling, until their salvation should be “completed” at the time of Christ’s second coming (vers. 6, 10; see also iii. 20, 21).

from the first day. That is, from the first coming of the gospel among them.

6 will perform it. Or, “will perfect it,” carry it to completion.

7 to think this of you all. “Should feel like this over you all” (Moule).

because I have you in my heart. Their evident participation of the Divine grace, which enabled him to labour and suffer for the gospel, united him to them in the bonds of holy love; and this union of feeling assured him that they were God’s children.

8 my record. That is, “my witness.” For “bowels,” etc., read “tender mercies of Christ Jesus,” or, “the affection of Jesus Christ” (Moffatt).

9 judgement. Rather, “perception,” or “discernment.”

10 that ye may approve, etc. Or, as R.V. marg., “that ye may prove (or, ’test’) the things that differ,” or “are essential” (Glover): see Rom. ii. 18. Holy love, guided by knowledge, discerns and approves what is right.

fill the day of Christ. Rather, “for,” i.e., in expectation of “the day of Christ.”

13 the palace. “The Prætorian”; meaning, most probably, not a place, but the Prætorian guard itself, under the custody of whose Prefect the apostle was placed in Rome (Acts xxviii. 16): see R.V. Thus it had become known among all the guard, “and all the rest” at Rome, even in Cesar’s palace (iv. 22), that his imprisonment was “in Christ,” i.e., on account of His cause.

14 many of the brethren. Rather, “the majority of the brethren.” Paul’s stædfastness under persecution made them “confident in the Lord,” and encouraged them boldly to “speak the word.” “It indicates how absolutely consistent the Apostle’s life was” (F. B. Meyer in Deceitual Commentary).

15. Some indeed, etc. Possibly, personal opponents, belonging to the Judaising section, who, seeing the success of the apostle’s ministry, endeavoured to make converts, in order to form a party against him.

16 of contention. More precisely, of “partyspirit.” “Not sincerely,” i.e., not with pure motives.

supposing to add affliction to my bonds. Rather, “to stir up affliction to my bonds”; “to make my chains gall me” (Lightfoot).

20 earnest expectation. Or, “eager expectation.”

22. But if I live in the flesh, etc. Rather, “But if to live in the flesh, this yields me fruit from my labour in the gospel, then I know not what I shall choose.” “For myself” life and death are both blessed—life, for Christ is the source of its happiness and the object of its activity—death, for that will bring me “gain” in respect to both enjoying and glorifying Him. But if my living in the flesh bring the more fruit of my labours, then I can hardly choose. The very construction of this passage “reflects the conflict of feeling in the apostle’s mind” (Lightfoot).

23 having a desire. Rather, “having the desire” (R.V.); i.e., my prevailing desire. “Far better” is very emphatic in the Greek: “very far better.”

25. And having this confidence. Rather, “And being confident of this,” i.e., that my life is important for your “furtherance and joy in the faith.” The phrase, “I know,” implies strong assurance: cp. ver. 27, and Acts xx. 25.

26 for me. Lit., “in me”; i.e., on my account.

27 let your conversation, etc. (Lit., behave as citizens): “do your duty as good citizens of a heavenly kingdom; act worthily of the Gospel of Christ” (Lightfoot). Cp. iii. 20; Acts xxiii. 1, and notes.

29 given. Or, “freely granted”: see on ver. 7, and Acts v. 41.

30 which ye saw in me. When I was with you: see Acts xvi. 19-24.

of God" means the outward manifestation of His Divine perfections. Of this—not of His Divine nature—“He emptied Himself.”

thought it not robbery, etc. Or, “did not account His equality with God a thing to be tenaciously grasped.” All Divine glories are truly and rightfully His (see John i. 14; xvii. 5); yet He did not insist upon their manifestation, but “emptied Himself” of it; made Himself “void of the manifestation and exercise of Deity as it was His on the throne” (Bishop Moule).

(i. 9), but wants their love to be discriminating (“that you may test the things that differ,” Bishop Moule’s rendering of the first clause of i. 10), and prays that they may be so free from doubtful motives and inconsistencies that they may be ready for the Day of Christ (i. 10, 11).

The letter is full also of practical counsels. He desires their conduct to be in harmony with the gospel they profess (i. 27); urges a spirit of humility and unselfishness (ii. 3, 4); pleads for the exercise of an active influence on the world around them (ii. 15, 16); shows the way, through prayer and thanksgiving, to a peaceful mind amid all the anxieties of life (iv. 6, 7); and sums up all that a Christian character means in the beautiful words of iv. 8.