591 lines
43 KiB
XML
591 lines
43 KiB
XML
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<div2 id="Phi.iii" n="iii" next="Phi.iv" prev="Phi.ii" progress="61.88%" title="Chapter II">
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<h2 id="Phi.iii-p0.1">P H I L I P P I A N S.</h2>
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<h3 id="Phi.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
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<p class="intro" id="Phi.iii-p1">The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to
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several duties, to be like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he
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presses from the example of Christ (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.1-Phil.2.11" parsed="|Phil|2|1|2|11" passage="Php 2:1-11">ver. 1-11</scripRef>), to be diligent and serious in
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the Christian course (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.12-Phil.2.13" parsed="|Phil|2|12|2|13" passage="Php 2:12,13">ver. 12,
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13</scripRef>), and to adorn their Christian profession by several
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suitable graces, <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.14-Phil.2.18" parsed="|Phil|2|14|2|18" passage="Php 2:14-18">ver.
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14-18</scripRef>. He then concludes with particular notice and
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commendation of two good ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom
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he designed to send to them, <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.19-Phil.2.30" parsed="|Phil|2|19|2|30" passage="Php 2:19-30">ver.
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19-30</scripRef>.</p>
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<scripCom id="Phi.iii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2" parsed="|Phil|2|0|0|0" passage="Php 2" type="Commentary"/>
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<scripCom id="Phi.iii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.1-Phil.2.11" parsed="|Phil|2|1|2|11" passage="Php 2:1-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.2.1-Phil.2.11">
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<h4 id="Phi.iii-p1.7">Brotherly Love Recommended; Glory and
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Condescension of Christ. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.iii-p1.8">a.
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d.</span> 62.)</h4>
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<p class="passage" id="Phi.iii-p2">1 If <i>there be</i> therefore any consolation
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in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,
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if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be
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likeminded, having the same love, <i>being</i> of one accord, of
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one mind. 3 <i>Let</i> nothing <i>be done</i> through strife
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or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
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than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but
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every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be
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in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the
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form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7
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But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
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servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being
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found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
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unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God
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also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
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every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should
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bow, of <i>things</i> in heaven, and <i>things</i> in earth, and
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<i>things</i> under the earth; 11 And <i>that</i> every
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tongue should confess that Jesus Christ <i>is</i> Lord, to the
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glory of God the Father.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p3">The apostle proceeds in this chapter where
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he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian
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duties. He presses them largely to like-mindedness and
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lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus,
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the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may observe,</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p4">I. The great gospel precept passed upon us;
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that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom,
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the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. This he
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represents (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.2" parsed="|Phil|2|2|0|0" passage="Php 2:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) by
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being <i>like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
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one mind.</i> We are of a like mind when we have the same love.
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Christians should be one in affection, whether they can be one in
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apprehension or no. This is always in their power, and always their
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duty, and is the likeliest way to bring them nearer in judgment.
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<i>Having the same love.</i> Observe, The same love that we are
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required to express to others, others are bound to express to us.
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Christian love ought to be mutual love. Love, and you shall be
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loved. <i>Being of one accord, and of one mind;</i> not crossing
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and thwarting, or driving on separate interests, but unanimously
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agreeing in the great things of God and keeping the <i>unity of the
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Spirit</i> in other differences. Here observe,</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p5">1. The pathetic pressing of the duty. He is
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very importunate with them, knowing what an evidence it is of our
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sincerity, and what a means of the preservation and edification of
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the body of Christ. The inducements to brotherly love are these:—
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(1.) "If there is any <i>consolation in Christ.</i> Have you
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experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that experience by
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loving one another." The sweetness we have found in the doctrine of
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Christ should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation in
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Christ? If we would not be disappointed, we must love one another.
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If we have not consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it?
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Those who have an interest in Christ have consolation in him,
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strong and everlasting consolation (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.18 Bible:2Thess.2.16" parsed="|Heb|6|18|0|0;|2Thess|2|16|0|0" passage="Heb 6:18,2Th 2:16">Heb. vi. 18; 2 Thess. ii. 16</scripRef>), and
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therefore ought to love one another. (2.) "<i>Comfort of love.</i>
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If there is any comfort in Christian love, in God's love to you, in
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your love to God, or in your brethren's love to us, in
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consideration of all this, be you like-minded. If you have ever
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found that comfort, if you would find it, if you indeed believe
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that the grace of love is a comfortable grace, abound in it." (3.)
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"<i>Fellowship of the Spirit.</i> If there is such a thing as
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communion with God and Christ by the Spirit, such a thing as the
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communion of saints, by virtue of their being animated and actuated
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by <i>one and the same Spirit,</i> be you like-minded; for
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Christian love and like-mindedness will preserve to us our
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communion with God and with one another." (4.) "<i>Any bowels and
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mercies,</i> in God and Christ, towards you. If you expect the
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benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be you compassionate
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one to another. If there is such a thing as mercy to be found among
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the followers of Christ, if all who are sanctified have a
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disposition to holy pity, make it appear this way." How cogent are
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these arguments! One would think them enough to tame the most
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fierce, and mollify the hardest, heart. (5.) Another argument he
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insinuates is the comfort it would be to him: <i>Fulfil you my
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joy.</i> It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded and
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living in love. He had been instrumental in bringing them to the
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grace of Christ and the love of God. "Now," says he, "if you have
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found any benefit by your participation of the gospel of Christ, if
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you have any comfort in it, or advantage by it, <i>fulfil the
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joy</i> of your poor minister, who preached the gospel to you."</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p6">2. He proposes some means to promote it.
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(1.) <i>Do nothing through strife and vain glory,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.3" parsed="|Phil|2|3|0|0" passage="Php 2:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. There is no greater enemy
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to Christian love than pride and passion. If we do things in
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contradiction to our brethren, this is doing them through strife;
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if we do them through ostentation of ourselves, this is doing them
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through vain-glory: both are destructive of Christian love and
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kindle unchristian heats. Christ came to slay all enmities;
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therefore let there not be among Christians a spirit of opposition.
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Christ came to humble us, and therefore let there not be among us a
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spirit of pride. (2.) We must <i>esteem others in lowliness of mind
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better than ourselves,</i> be severe upon our own faults and
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charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our
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own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make
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favourable allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the
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good which is in others above that which is in ourselves; for we
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best know our own unworthiness and imperfections. (3.) We must
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interest ourselves in the concerns of others, not in a way of
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curiosity and censoriousness, or as <i>busy-bodies in other men's
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matters,</i> but in Christian love and sympathy: <i>Look not every
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man on his own things, but every man also on the things of
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others,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.4" parsed="|Phil|2|4|0|0" passage="Php 2:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. A
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selfish spirit is destructive of Christian love. We must be
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concerned not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety, but
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for those of others also; and rejoice in the prosperity of others
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as truly as in our own. We must love our neighbour as ourselves,
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and make his case our own.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p7">II. Here is a gospel pattern proposed to
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our imitation, and that is the example of our Lord Jesus Christ:
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<i>Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,</i>
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<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.5" parsed="|Phil|2|5|0|0" passage="Php 2:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Observe,
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Christians must be of Christ's mind. We must bear a resemblance to
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his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. <i>If we have
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not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.9" parsed="|Rom|8|9|0|0" passage="Ro 8:9">Rom. viii. 9</scripRef>. Now what was the mind of
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Christ? He was eminently humble, and this is what we are peculiarly
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to learn of him. <i>Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in
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heart,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.29" parsed="|Matt|11|29|0|0" passage="Mt 11:29">Matt. xi. 29</scripRef>. If
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we were lowly-minded, we should be like-minded; and, if we were
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like Christ, we should be lowly-minded. We must walk in the same
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spirit and in the same steps with the Lord Jesus, who humbled
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himself to sufferings and death for us; not only to satisfy God's
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justice, and pay the price of our redemption, but to set us an
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example, and that we might <i>follow his steps.</i> Now here we
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have the two natures and the two states of our Lord Jesus. It is
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observable that the apostle, having occasion to mention the Lord
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Jesus, and the mind which was in him, takes the hint to enlarge
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upon his person, and to give a particular description of him. It is
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a pleasing subject, and a gospel minister needs not think himself
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out of the way when he is upon it; any fit occasion should be
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readily taken.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p8">1. Here are the two natures of Christ: his
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divine nature and his human nature. (1.) Here is his divine nature:
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<i>Who being in the form of God</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.6" parsed="|Phil|2|6|0|0" passage="Php 2:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), partaking of the divine nature,
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as the eternal and only begotten Son of God. This agrees with
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<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1" parsed="|John|1|1|0|0" passage="Joh 1:1">John i. 1</scripRef>, <i>In the
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beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God:</i> it is of the
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same import with being the <i>image of the invisible</i> God
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(<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.15" parsed="|Col|1|15|0|0" passage="Col 1:15">Col. i. 15</scripRef>), and the
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<i>brightness of his glory, and express image of his person,</i>
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<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.3" parsed="|Heb|1|3|0|0" passage="Heb 1:3">Heb. i. 3</scripRef>. <i>He thought it
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no robbery to be equal with God;</i> did not think himself guilty
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of any invasion of what did not belong to him, or assuming
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another's right. He said, <i>I and my Father are one,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:John.10.30" parsed="|John|10|30|0|0" passage="Joh 10:30">John x. 30</scripRef>. It is the highest degree
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of robbery for any mere man or mere creature to pretend to be equal
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with God, or profess himself <i>one with the Father.</i> This is
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for a man to rob God, not in tithes and offerings, but of the
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rights of his Godhead, <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.8" parsed="|Mal|3|8|0|0" passage="Mal 3:8">Mal. iii.
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8</scripRef>. Some understand <i>being in the form of
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God</i>—<b><i>en morphe Theou hyparchon,</i></b> of his appearance
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in a divine majestic glory to the patriarchs, and the Jews, under
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the Old Testament, which was often called the <i>glory,</i> and the
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<i>Shechinah.</i> The word is used in such a sense by the LXX. and
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in the New Testament. <i>He appeared to the two disciples,</i>
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<b><i>en hetera morphe</i></b>—<i>In another form,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.12" parsed="|Mark|16|12|0|0" passage="Mk 16:12">Mark xvi. 12</scripRef>.
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<b><i>Metemorphothe</i></b>—<i>he was transfigured</i> before
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them, <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.2" parsed="|Matt|17|2|0|0" passage="Mt 17:2">Matt. xvii. 2</scripRef>. And
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<i>he thought it no robbery to be equal with God;</i> he did not
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greedily <i>catch at,</i> nor covet and affect to appear in that
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glory; he laid aside the majesty of his former appearance while he
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was here on earth, which is supposed to be the sense of the
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peculiar expression, <b><i>ouk harpagmon hegesato.</i></b> Vid.
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<i>Bishop Bull's Def.</i> cap. 2 sect. 4 et alibi, and
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<i>Whitby</i> in loc. (2.) His human nature: He was <i>made in the
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likeness of men,</i> and <i>found in fashion as a man.</i> He was
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really and truly man, <i>took part of our flesh and blood,</i>
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appeared in the nature and habit of man. And he voluntarily assumed
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human nature; it was his own act, and by his own consent. We cannot
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say that our participation of the human nature is so. Herein he
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<i>emptied himself,</i> divested himself of the honours and glories
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of the upper world, and of his former appearance, to clothe himself
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with the rags of human nature. <i>He was in all things like to
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us,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:Heb.2.17" parsed="|Heb|2|17|0|0" passage="Heb 2:17">Heb. ii. 17</scripRef>.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p9">2. Here are his two estates, of humiliation
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and exaltation. (1.) His estate of humiliation. He not only took
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upon him the likeness and fashion of a man, but the <i>form of a
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servant,</i> that is, a man of mean estate. He was not only God's
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servant whom he had chosen, but he came to minister to men, and was
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among them as one who serveth in a mean and servile state. One
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would think that the Lord Jesus, if he would be a man, should have
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been a prince, and appeared in splendour. But quite the contrary:
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<i>He took upon him the form of a servant.</i> He was brought up
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meanly, probably working with his supposed father at his trade. His
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whole life was a life of humiliation, meanness, poverty, and
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disgrace; he had nowhere to lay his head, lived upon alms, was a
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<i>man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,</i> did not appear
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with external pomp, or any marks of distinction from other men.
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This was the humiliation of his life. But the lowest step of his
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humiliation was his dying the death of the cross. <i>He became
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obedient to death, even the death of the cross.</i> He not only
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suffered, but was actually and voluntarily obedient; he obeyed the
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law which he brought himself under as Mediator, and by which he was
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obliged to die. <i>I have power to lay down my life, and I have
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power to take it again: this commandment have I received of my
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Father,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:John.10.18" parsed="|John|10|18|0|0" passage="Joh 10:18">John x. 18</scripRef>.
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And he was <i>made under the law,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.4" parsed="|Gal|4|4|0|0" passage="Ga 4:4">Gal. iv. 4</scripRef>. There is an emphasis laid upon the
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manner of his dying, which had in it all the circumstances possible
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which are humbling: <i>Even the death of the cross,</i> a cursed,
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painful, and shameful death,—a death accursed by the law
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(<i>Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree</i>)—full of pain, the
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body nailed through the nervous parts (the hands and feet) and
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hanging with all its weight upon the cross,—and the death of a
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malefactor and a slave, not of a free-man,—exposed as a public
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spectacle. Such was the condescension of the blessed Jesus. (2.)
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His exaltation: <i>Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him.</i>
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His exaltation was the reward of his humiliation. Because he
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humbled himself, God exalted him; and he <i>highly exalted him,</i>
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<b><i>hyperypsose,</i></b> raised him to an exceeding height. He
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exalted his whole person, the human nature as well as the divine;
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for he is spoken of as being in the form of God as well as in the
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fashion of man. As it respects the divine nature, it could only be
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the recognizing of his rights, or the display and appearance of the
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<i>glory he had with the Father before the world was</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:John.17.5" parsed="|John|17|5|0|0" passage="Joh 17:5">John xvii. 5</scripRef>), not any new
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acquisition of glory; and so the Father himself is said to be
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exalted. But the proper exaltation was of his human nature, which
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alone seems to be capable of it, though in conjunction with the
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divine. His exaltation here is made to consist in honour and power.
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In honour; so <i>he had a name above every name,</i> a title of
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dignity above all the creatures, men and angels. And in power:
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|
<i>Every knee must bow to him.</i> The whole creation must be in
|
|||
|
subjection to him: <i>things in heaven, and things in earth, and
|
|||
|
things under the earth,</i> the inhabitants of heaven and earth,
|
|||
|
the living and the dead. <i>At the name of Jesus;</i> not at the
|
|||
|
sound of the word, but the authority of Jesus; all should pay a
|
|||
|
solemn homage. And that <i>every tongue should confess that Jesus
|
|||
|
Christ is Lord</i>—every nation and language should publicly own
|
|||
|
the universal empire of the exalted Redeemer, and that <i>all power
|
|||
|
in heaven and earth is given to him,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.28.18" parsed="|Matt|28|18|0|0" passage="Mt 28:18">Matt. xxviii. 18</scripRef>. Observe the vast extent of
|
|||
|
the kingdom of Christ; it reaches to heaven and earth, and to all
|
|||
|
the creatures in each, to angels as well as men, and to the dead as
|
|||
|
well as the living.—<i>To the glory of God the Father.</i>
|
|||
|
Observe, It is to the glory of God the Father to confess that Jesus
|
|||
|
Christ is Lord; for it is his will that <i>all men should honour
|
|||
|
the Son as they honour the Father,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:John.5.23" parsed="|John|5|23|0|0" passage="Joh 5:23">John v. 23</scripRef>. Whatever respect is paid to
|
|||
|
Christ redounds to the honour of the Father. <i>He who receiveth me
|
|||
|
receiveth him who sent me,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.10.40" parsed="|Matt|10|40|0|0" passage="Mt 10:40">Matt.
|
|||
|
x. 40</scripRef>.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Phi.iii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.12-Phil.2.13" parsed="|Phil|2|12|2|13" passage="Php 2:12-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.2.12-Phil.2.13">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Phi.iii-p9.8">Practical Religion. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.iii-p9.9">a.
|
|||
|
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Phi.iii-p10">12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always
|
|||
|
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
|
|||
|
absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
|
|||
|
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do
|
|||
|
of <i>his</i> good pleasure.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p11">I. He exhorts them to diligence and
|
|||
|
seriousness in the Christian course: <i>Work out your own
|
|||
|
salvation.</i> It is the salvation of our souls (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.9" parsed="|1Pet|1|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:9">1 Pet. i. 9</scripRef>), and our eternal salvation
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.9" parsed="|Heb|5|9|0|0" passage="Heb 5:9">Heb. v. 9</scripRef>), and contains
|
|||
|
deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed
|
|||
|
us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary
|
|||
|
to our complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us above
|
|||
|
all things to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes of
|
|||
|
other things, let us take care of our best interests. It is our own
|
|||
|
salvation, the salvation of our own souls. It is not for us to
|
|||
|
judge other people; we have enough to do to look to ourselves; and,
|
|||
|
though we must promote the common salvation ( <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.3" parsed="|Jude|1|3|0|0" passage="Jude 1:3">Jude 3</scripRef>) as much as we can, yet we must upon
|
|||
|
no account neglect our own. We are required to <i>work out our
|
|||
|
salvation,</i> <b><i>katergazesthe.</i></b> The word signifies
|
|||
|
<i>working thoroughly</i> at a thing, and taking <i>true pains.</i>
|
|||
|
Observe, We must be diligent in the use of all the means which
|
|||
|
conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our salvation,
|
|||
|
by doing something now and then about it; but we must work out our
|
|||
|
salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering therein
|
|||
|
to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind, and set
|
|||
|
our hearts upon; and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost
|
|||
|
care and diligence. He adds, <i>With fear and trembling,</i> that
|
|||
|
is, with great care and circumspection: "Trembling for fear lest
|
|||
|
you miscarry and come short. Be careful to do every thing in
|
|||
|
religion in the best manner, and fear lest under all your
|
|||
|
advantages you should so much as <i>seem to come short,</i>"
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.1" parsed="|Heb|4|1|0|0" passage="Heb 4:1">Heb. iv. 1</scripRef>. Fear is a great
|
|||
|
guard and preservative from evil.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p12">II. He urges this from the consideration of
|
|||
|
their readiness always to obey the gospel: "<i>As you have always
|
|||
|
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
|
|||
|
absence,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.12" parsed="|Phil|2|12|0|0" passage="Php 2:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.
|
|||
|
You have been always willing to comply with every discovery of the
|
|||
|
will of God; and that in my absence as well as presence. You make
|
|||
|
it to appear that regard to Christ, and care of your souls, sway
|
|||
|
more with you than any mode of showing respect whatsoever." They
|
|||
|
were not merely awed by the apostle's presence, but did it even
|
|||
|
<i>much more in his absence.</i> "And because <i>it is God who
|
|||
|
worketh in you,</i> do you work out your salvation. Work, for he
|
|||
|
worketh." It should encourage us to do our utmost, because our
|
|||
|
<i>labour shall not be in vain.</i> God is ready to concur with his
|
|||
|
grace, and assist our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must
|
|||
|
use our utmost endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still
|
|||
|
we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God.
|
|||
|
His grace works in us in a way suitable to our natures, and in
|
|||
|
concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of God's grace
|
|||
|
in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to quicken
|
|||
|
and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation <i>with fear
|
|||
|
and trembling,</i> for <i>he worketh in you.</i>" All our working
|
|||
|
depends upon his working in us. "Do not trifle with God by neglects
|
|||
|
and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your
|
|||
|
endeavours prove in vain. Work with <i>fear,</i> for he works of
|
|||
|
his <i>good pleasure."—To will and to do:</i> he gives the whole
|
|||
|
ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that
|
|||
|
which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act
|
|||
|
according to our principles. <i>Thou hast wrought all our works in
|
|||
|
us,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.12" parsed="|Isa|26|12|0|0" passage="Isa 26:12">Isa. xxvi. 12</scripRef>.
|
|||
|
<i>Of his good pleasure.</i> As there is no strength in us, so
|
|||
|
there is no merit in us. As we cannot act without God's grace, so
|
|||
|
we cannot claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God's good will to
|
|||
|
us is the cause of his good work in us; and he is under no
|
|||
|
engagements to his creatures, but those of his gracious
|
|||
|
promise.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Phi.iii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.14-Phil.2.18" parsed="|Phil|2|14|2|18" passage="Php 2:14-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.2.14-Phil.2.18">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Phi.iii-p12.4">Practical Religion. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.iii-p12.5">a.
|
|||
|
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Phi.iii-p13">14 Do all things without murmurings and
|
|||
|
disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
|
|||
|
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
|
|||
|
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16
|
|||
|
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of
|
|||
|
Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
|
|||
|
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service
|
|||
|
of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the
|
|||
|
same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p14">The apostle exhorts them in these verses to
|
|||
|
adorn their Christian profession by a suitable temper and
|
|||
|
behaviour, in several instances. 1. By a cheerful obedience to the
|
|||
|
commands of God (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.14" parsed="|Phil|2|14|0|0" passage="Php 2:14"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
14</scripRef>): "<i>Do all things,</i> do your duty in every branch
|
|||
|
of it, <i>without murmurings.</i> Do it, and do not find fault with
|
|||
|
it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it." God's commands
|
|||
|
were given to be obeyed, not to be disputed. This greatly adorns
|
|||
|
our profession, and shows we serve a good Master, whose service is
|
|||
|
freedom and whose work is its own reward. 2. By peaceableness and
|
|||
|
love one to another. "Do all things <i>without disputing,</i>
|
|||
|
wrangling, and debating one another; because the light of truth and
|
|||
|
the life of religion are often lost in the heats and mists of
|
|||
|
disputation." 3. By a blameless conversation towards all men
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.15" parsed="|Phil|2|15|0|0" passage="Php 2:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): "<i>That
|
|||
|
you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
|
|||
|
rebuke;</i> that you be not injurious to any in word or deed, and
|
|||
|
give no just occasion of offence." We should endeavour not only to
|
|||
|
be harmless, but to be blameless; not only not to do hurt, but not
|
|||
|
to come under the just suspicion of it. <i>Blameless and
|
|||
|
sincere;</i> so some read it. Blameless before men, sincere towards
|
|||
|
God. The <i>sons of God.</i> It becomes those to be blameless and
|
|||
|
harmless who stand in such a relation, and are favoured with such a
|
|||
|
privilege. The children of God should differ from the sons of men.
|
|||
|
<i>Without rebuke</i>—<b><i>amometa.</i></b> Momus was a carping
|
|||
|
deity among the Greeks, mentioned by Hesiod and Lucian, who did
|
|||
|
nothing himself, and found fault with every body and every thing.
|
|||
|
From him all carpers at other men, and rigid censurers of their
|
|||
|
works, were called <i>Momi.</i> The sense of the expression is,
|
|||
|
"Walk so circumspectly that Momus himself may have no occasion to
|
|||
|
cavil at you, that the severest censurer may find no fault with
|
|||
|
you." We should aim and endeavour, not only to get to heaven, but
|
|||
|
to get thither without a blot; and, like Demetrius, to <i>have a
|
|||
|
good report of all men, and of the truth,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:3John.1.12" parsed="|3John|1|12|0|0" passage="3Jo 1:12">3 John 12</scripRef>. <i>In the midst of a crooked and
|
|||
|
perverse generation;</i> that is, among the heathens, and those who
|
|||
|
are without. Observe, Where there is no true religion, little is to
|
|||
|
be expected but crookedness and perverseness; and the more crooked
|
|||
|
and perverse others are among whom we live, and the more apt to
|
|||
|
cavil, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless
|
|||
|
and harmless. Abraham and Lot must not <i>strive, because the
|
|||
|
Canaanite and Perizzite dwelt in the land,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.7" parsed="|Gen|13|7|0|0" passage="Ge 13:7">Gen. xiii. 7</scripRef>. <i>Among whom you shine as
|
|||
|
lights in the world.</i> Christ is the light of the world, and good
|
|||
|
Christians are lights in the world. When God raises up a good man
|
|||
|
in any place, he sets up a light in that place. Or it may be read
|
|||
|
imperatively: <i>Among whom shine you as lights:</i> compare
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.16" parsed="|Matt|5|16|0|0" passage="Mt 5:16">Matt. v. 16</scripRef>, <i>Let your
|
|||
|
light so shine before men.</i> Christians should endeavour not only
|
|||
|
to approve themselves to God, but to recommend themselves to
|
|||
|
others, that they may also glorify God. They must shine as well as
|
|||
|
be sincere.—<i>Holding forth the word of life,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.16" parsed="|Phil|2|16|0|0" passage="Php 2:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. The gospel is called
|
|||
|
the word of life because it reveals and proposes to us eternal life
|
|||
|
through Jesus Christ. <i>Life and immortality are brought to light
|
|||
|
by the gospel,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.10" parsed="|2Tim|1|10|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:10">2 Tim. i.
|
|||
|
10</scripRef>. It is our duty not only to hold fast, but to hold
|
|||
|
forth the word of life; not only to hold it fast for our own
|
|||
|
benefit, but to hold it forth for the benefit of others, to hold it
|
|||
|
forth as the candlestick holds forth the candle, which makes it
|
|||
|
appear to advantage all around, or as the luminaries of the
|
|||
|
heavens, which shed their influence far and wide. This Paul tells
|
|||
|
them would be his joy: "<i>That I may rejoice in the day of
|
|||
|
Christ;</i> not only rejoice in your stedfastness, but in your
|
|||
|
usefulness." He would have them think his pains well bestowed, and
|
|||
|
that <i>he had not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.</i> Observe,
|
|||
|
(1.) The work of the ministry requires the putting forth of the
|
|||
|
whole man: all that is within us is little enough to be employed in
|
|||
|
it; as in running and labouring. Running denotes vehemence and
|
|||
|
vigour, and continual pressing forward; labour denotes constancy
|
|||
|
and close application. (2.) It is a great joy to ministers when
|
|||
|
they perceive that they have not <i>run in vain, nor laboured in
|
|||
|
vain;</i> and it will be their rejoicing in the day of Christ, when
|
|||
|
their converts will be their crown. <i>What is our hope, or joy, or
|
|||
|
crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord
|
|||
|
Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are our glory and joy,</i>
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.2.19-1Thess.2.20" parsed="|1Thess|2|19|2|20" passage="1Th 2:19,20">1 Thess. ii. 19, 20</scripRef>. The
|
|||
|
apostle not only ran and laboured for them with satisfaction, but
|
|||
|
shows that he was ready to suffer for their good (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.17" parsed="|Phil|2|17|0|0" passage="Php 2:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>): <i>Yea, and if I be
|
|||
|
offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and
|
|||
|
rejoice with you all.</i> He could reckon himself happy if he could
|
|||
|
promote the honour of Christ, the edification of the church, and
|
|||
|
the welfare of the souls of men; though it were not only by
|
|||
|
hazarding, but by laying down, his life: he could willingly be a
|
|||
|
sacrifice at their altars, to serve the faith of God's elect. Could
|
|||
|
Paul think it worth while to shed his blood for the service of the
|
|||
|
church, and shall we think it much to take a little pains? Is not
|
|||
|
that worth our labour which he thought worth his life? <i>If I be
|
|||
|
offered,</i> or <i>poured</i> out as the wine of the
|
|||
|
<i>drink-offerings,</i> <b><i>spendomai.</i></b> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.10" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.6" parsed="|2Tim|4|6|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:6">2 Tim. iv. 6</scripRef>, <i>I am now ready to be
|
|||
|
offered.</i> He could rejoice to seal his doctrine with his blood
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p14.11" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.18" parsed="|Phil|2|18|0|0" passage="Php 2:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>For the
|
|||
|
same cause also do you joy and rejoice with me.</i> It is the will
|
|||
|
of God that good Christians should be much in rejoicing; and those
|
|||
|
who are happy in good ministers have a great deal of reason to joy
|
|||
|
and rejoice with them. If the minister loves the people, and is
|
|||
|
willing to spend and be spent for their welfare, the people have
|
|||
|
reason to love the minister and to <i>joy and rejoice with
|
|||
|
him.</i></p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Phi.iii-p14.12" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.19-Phil.2.30" parsed="|Phil|2|19|2|30" passage="Php 2:19-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.2.19-Phil.2.30">
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Phi.iii-p14.13">Praise of Timothy and
|
|||
|
Epaphroditus. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.iii-p14.14">a.
|
|||
|
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Phi.iii-p15">19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send
|
|||
|
Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort,
|
|||
|
when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who
|
|||
|
will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their
|
|||
|
own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know
|
|||
|
the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served
|
|||
|
with me in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send
|
|||
|
presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24
|
|||
|
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
|
|||
|
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus,
|
|||
|
my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your
|
|||
|
messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he
|
|||
|
longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye
|
|||
|
had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick
|
|||
|
nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but
|
|||
|
on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent
|
|||
|
him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye
|
|||
|
may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29
|
|||
|
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such
|
|||
|
in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh
|
|||
|
unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service
|
|||
|
toward me.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p16">Paul takes particular notice of two good
|
|||
|
ministers; for though he was himself a great apostle, and
|
|||
|
<i>laboured more abundantly than they all,</i> yet he took all
|
|||
|
occasions to speak with respect of those who were far his
|
|||
|
inferiors.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p17">I. He speaks of Timothy, whom he intended
|
|||
|
to send to the Philippians, that he might have an account of their
|
|||
|
state. See Paul's care of the churches, and the comfort he had in
|
|||
|
their well-doing. He was in pain when he had not heard of them for
|
|||
|
a good while, and therefore would send Timothy to enquire, and
|
|||
|
bring him an account: <i>For I have no man like-minded, who will
|
|||
|
naturally care for your state.</i> Timothy was a non-such. There
|
|||
|
were, no doubt, many good ministers, who were in care for the souls
|
|||
|
of those for whom they preached; but none comparable to Timothy, a
|
|||
|
man of an excellent spirit and tender heart. <i>Who will naturally
|
|||
|
care for your state.</i> Observe, It is best with us when our duty
|
|||
|
becomes in a manner natural to us. Timothy was a genuine son of
|
|||
|
blessed Paul, and walked in the same spirit and the same steps.
|
|||
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<i>Naturally,</i> that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only:
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with a willing heart and upright view, so agreeably to the make of
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his mind. Note, 1. It is the duty of ministers to care for the
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state of their people and be concerned for their welfare: <i>I seek
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not yours, but you,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.14" parsed="|2Cor|12|14|0|0" passage="2Co 12:14">2 Cor. xii.
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14</scripRef>. 2. It is a rare thing to find one who does it
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naturally: such a one is remarkable and distinguished among his
|
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brethren. <i>All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus
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Christ's,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.21" parsed="|Phil|2|21|0|0" passage="Php 2:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
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Did Paul say this in haste, as David said, <i>All men are
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liars?</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.11" parsed="|Ps|116|11|0|0" passage="Ps 116:11">Ps. cxvi. 11</scripRef>.
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Was there so general a corruption among ministers so early that
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there was not one among them who cared for the state of their
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people? We must not understand it so: he means the generality;
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<i>all,</i> that is, either the most, or all in comparison of
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Timothy. Note, Seeking our own interest to the neglect of Jesus
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|
Christ is a very great sin, and very common among Christians and
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|
ministers. Many prefer their own credit, ease, and safety, before
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|
truth, holiness, and duty, the things of their own pleasure and
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|
reputation before the things of Christ's kingdom and his honour and
|
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|
interest in the world: but Timothy was none of these.—<i>You know
|
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|
the proof of him,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.22" parsed="|Phil|2|22|0|0" passage="Php 2:22"><i>v.</i>
|
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|
22</scripRef>. Timothy was a man who had been tried, and had made
|
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|
<i>full proof of his ministry</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.5" parsed="|2Tim|4|5|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:5">2
|
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|
Tim. iv. 5</scripRef>), and was faithful in all that befel him. All
|
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|
the churches with whom he had acquaintance knew the proof of him.
|
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|
He was a man as good as he seemed to be; and <i>served Christ so as
|
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|
to be acceptable to God,</i> and <i>approved of men,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Rom.14.18" parsed="|Rom|14|18|0|0" passage="Ro 14:18">Rom. xiv. 18</scripRef>. "You not only know the
|
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|
name of him, and the face of him, but the proof of him, and have
|
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|
experienced his affection and fidelity in your service," <i>that,
|
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|
as a son with a father, he hath served with me in the gospel.</i>
|
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|
He was Paul's assistant in many places where he preached, and
|
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|
served with him in the gospel with all the dutiful respect which a
|
|||
|
child pays to a father, and with all the love and cheerfulness with
|
|||
|
which a child is serviceable to his father. Their ministrations
|
|||
|
together were with great respect on the one side and great
|
|||
|
tenderness and kindness on the other—an admirable example to elder
|
|||
|
and younger ministers united in the same service. Paul designed to
|
|||
|
send him shortly: <i>Him therefore I hope to send presently, as
|
|||
|
soon as I shall see how it will go with me,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.23" parsed="|Phil|2|23|0|0" passage="Php 2:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. He was now a prisoner, and did
|
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|
not know what would be the issue; but, according as it turned, he
|
|||
|
would dispose of Timothy. Nay, he hoped to come himself (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.8" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.24" parsed="|Phil|2|24|0|0" passage="Php 2:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>): <i>But I trust in the
|
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|
Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.</i> He hoped he should
|
|||
|
soon be set at liberty, and be able to pay them a visit. Paul
|
|||
|
desired his liberty, not that he might take his pleasure, but that
|
|||
|
he might do good.—<i>I trust in the Lord.</i> He expresses his
|
|||
|
hope and confidence of seeing them, with a humble dependence and
|
|||
|
submission to the divine will. See <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p17.9" osisRef="Bible:Acts.18.21 Bible:1Cor.4.19 Bible:Jas.4.15 Bible:Heb.6.3" parsed="|Acts|18|21|0|0;|1Cor|4|19|0|0;|Jas|4|15|0|0;|Heb|6|3|0|0" passage="Ac 18:21,1Co 4:19,Jam 4:15,Heb 6:3">Acts xviii. 21; 1 Cor. iv. 19;
|
|||
|
James iv. 15; and Heb. vi. 3</scripRef>.</p>
|
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|
<p class="indent" id="Phi.iii-p18">II. Concerning Epaphroditus, whom he calls
|
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|
<i>his brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier,</i>
|
|||
|
his Christian brother, to whom he bore a tender affection,—his
|
|||
|
companion in the work and sufferings of the gospel, who submitted
|
|||
|
to the same labours and hardships with himself,—and their
|
|||
|
messenger, one who was sent by them to him, probably to consult him
|
|||
|
about some affairs relating to their church, or to bring a present
|
|||
|
from them for his relief for he adds, and <i>who ministered to my
|
|||
|
wants.</i> He seems to be the same who is called <i>Epaphras,</i>
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.12" parsed="|Col|4|12|0|0" passage="Col 4:12">Col. iv. 12</scripRef>. He had an
|
|||
|
earnest desire to come to them, and Paul was willing he should. It
|
|||
|
seems, 1. Epaphroditus had been sick: <i>They had heard that he had
|
|||
|
been sick,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.26" parsed="|Phil|2|26|0|0" passage="Php 2:26"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
26</scripRef>. And <i>indeed he was sick, nigh unto death,</i>
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.27" parsed="|Phil|2|27|0|0" passage="Php 2:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. Sickness is a
|
|||
|
calamity common to men, to good men and ministers. But why did not
|
|||
|
the apostle heal him, who was endued with a power of curing
|
|||
|
diseases, as well as raising the dead? <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.10" parsed="|Acts|20|10|0|0" passage="Ac 20:10">Acts xx. 10</scripRef>. Probably because that was
|
|||
|
intended as a sign to others, and to confirm the truth of the
|
|||
|
gospel, and therefore needed not be exercised one towards another.
|
|||
|
<i>These signs shall follow those who believe, they shall lay hands
|
|||
|
on the sick, and they shall recover,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.17-Mark.16.18" parsed="|Mark|16|17|16|18" passage="Mk 16:17,18">Mark xvi. 17, 18</scripRef>. And perhaps they had not
|
|||
|
that power at all times, and at their own discretion, but only when
|
|||
|
some great end was to be served by it, and when God saw fit. It was
|
|||
|
proper to Christ, who had <i>the Spirit above measure.</i> 2. The
|
|||
|
Philippians were exceedingly sorry to hear of his sickness. They
|
|||
|
were full of heaviness, as well as he, upon the tidings of it: for
|
|||
|
he was one, it seems, for whom they had a particular respect and
|
|||
|
affection, and thought fit to choose out to send to the apostle. 3.
|
|||
|
It pleased God to recover and spare him: <i>But God had mercy on
|
|||
|
him,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.27" parsed="|Phil|2|27|0|0" passage="Php 2:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. The
|
|||
|
apostle owns it is a great mercy to himself, as well as to
|
|||
|
Epaphroditus and others. Though the church was blessed at that time
|
|||
|
with extraordinary gifts, they could even then ill spare a good
|
|||
|
minister. He was sensibly touched with the thoughts of so great a
|
|||
|
loss: <i>Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow;</i> that is, "Lest,
|
|||
|
besides the sorrow of my own imprisonment, I should have the sorrow
|
|||
|
of his death." Or perhaps some other good ministers had died
|
|||
|
lately, which had been a great affliction to him: and, if this had
|
|||
|
died now, it would have been a fresh grief to him, and <i>sorrow
|
|||
|
added to sorrow.</i> 4. Epaphroditus was willing to pay a visit to
|
|||
|
the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had
|
|||
|
sorrowed for him when he was sick: "<i>That when you see him again
|
|||
|
you may rejoice</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.iii-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Phil.2.28" parsed="|Phil|2|28|0|0" passage="Php 2:28"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
28</scripRef>), that you may yourselves see how well he has
|
|||
|
recovered, and what reason you have for the thankfulness and joy
|
|||
|
upon his account." He gave himself the pleasure of comforting them
|
|||
|
by the sight of so dear a friend. 5. Paul recommends him to their
|
|||
|
esteem and affection: "<i>Receive him therefore in the Lord with
|
|||
|
all gladness, and hold such in reputation:</i> account such men
|
|||
|
valuable, who are zealous and faithful, and let them be highly
|
|||
|
loved and regarded. Show your joy and respect by all the
|
|||
|
expressions of hearty affection and good opinion." It seems he had
|
|||
|
caught his illness in the work of God: <i>It was for the work of
|
|||
|
Christ that he was nigh to death, and to supply their lack of
|
|||
|
service to him.</i> The apostle does not blame him for his
|
|||
|
indiscretion in hazarding his life, but reckons they ought to love
|
|||
|
him the more upon that account. Observe, (1.) Those who truly love
|
|||
|
Christ, and are hearty in the interests of his kingdom, will think
|
|||
|
it very well worth their while to hazard their health and life to
|
|||
|
do him service, and promote the edification of his church. (2.)
|
|||
|
They were to receive him with joy, as newly recovered from
|
|||
|
sickness. It is an endearing consideration to have our mercies
|
|||
|
restored to us after danger of removal, and should make them the
|
|||
|
more valued and improved. What is given us in answer to prayer
|
|||
|
should be received with great thankfulness and joy.</p>
|
|||
|
</div></div2>
|