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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P H I L I P P I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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He begins with the inscription and benediction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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He gives thanks for the saints at Philippi,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:3-6">ver. 3-6</A>.
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He speaks of his great affection and concern for their spiritual
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welfare
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>),
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his prayers for them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>),
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his care to prevent their offence at his sufferings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:12-20">ver. 12-20</A>),
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his readiness to glorify Christ by life or death
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:21-26">ver. 21-26</A>),
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and then concludes with a double exhortation to strictness and
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constancy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:27-30">ver. 27-30</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Php1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apostolic Benediction.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the
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saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops
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and deacons:
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2 Grace <I>be</I> unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
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<I>from</I> the Lord Jesus Christ.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here the inscription and benediction. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The persons writing the epistle--<I>Paul and Timotheus.</I> Though
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Paul was alone divinely inspired, he joins Timothy with himself, to
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express his own humility, and put honour upon Timothy. Those who are
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aged, and strong, and eminent, should pay respect to, and support the
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reputation of, those who are younger, and weaker, and of less note.
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<I>The servants of Jesus Christ;</I> not only in the common relation of
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his disciples, but in the peculiar work of the ministry, the high
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office of an apostle and an evangelist. Observe, The highest honour of
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the greatest apostle, and most eminent ministers, is to be the servants
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of Jesus Christ; not the masters of the churches, but the servants of
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Christ. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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II. The persons to whom it is directed.
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1. To <I>all the saints in Christ who are at Philippi.</I> He mentions
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the church before the ministers, because the ministers are for the
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church, for their edification and benefit, not the churches for the
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ministers, for their dignity, dominion, and wealth. <I>Not for that we
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have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:24">2 Cor. i. 24</A>.
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They are not only the servants of Christ, but the servants of the
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church for his sake. <I>Ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:5">2 Cor. iv. 5</A>.
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Observe, The Christians here are called saints; set apart for God, or
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sanctified by his Spirit, either by visible profession or real
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holiness. And those who are not really saints on earth will never be
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saints in heaven. Observe, It is directed to <I>all the saints,</I>
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one as well as another, even the meanest, the poorest, and those of the
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least gifts. Christ makes no difference; the rich and the poor meet
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together in him: and the ministers must not make a difference in their
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care and tenderness upon these accounts. We must not <I>have the faith
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of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:1">James ii. 1</A>.
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<I>Saints in Christ Jesus;</I> saints are accepted only by virtue of
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their being in Christ Jesus, or as they are Christians. Out of Christ
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the best saints will appear sinners, and unable to stand before God.
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2. It is directed to the ministers, or church-officers--<I>with the
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bishops and deacons,</I> the bishops or elders, in the first place,
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whose office it was to teach and rule, and the deacons, or overseers of
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the poor, who took care of the outward business of the house of God:
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the place, the furniture, the maintenance of the ministers, and
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provision for the poor. These were all the offices which were then
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known in the church, and which were of divine appointment. The apostle,
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in the direction of his epistle to a Christian church, acknowledges but
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two orders, which he calls bishops and deacons. And whosoever shall
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consider that the same characters and titles, the same qualifications,
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the same acts of office, and the same honour and respect, are every
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where ascribed throughout the New Testament to those who are called
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bishops and presbyters (as Dr. Hammond and other learned men allow),
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will find it difficult to make them a different office or distinct
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order of ministry in the scripture times.</P>
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<P>
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III. Here is the apostolical benediction: <I>Grace be unto you, and
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peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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This is the same, almost word for word, in all the epistles, to teach
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us that we must not be shy of forms, though we are not to be tied down
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to them, especially such as are not scriptural. The only form in the
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Old Testament is that of a benediction
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+6:23-26">Num. vi. 23-26</A>),
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<I>On this wise you shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto
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them, The Lord bless thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine
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upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up the light of his
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countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.</I> So in the New
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Testament, the good which is wished is spiritual good, <I>grace and
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peace</I>--the free favour and good-will of God, and all the blessed
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fruits and effects of it, and that <I>from God our Father, and from the
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Lord Jesus Christ,</I> jointly from them both, though in a different
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way. Observe,
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1. No peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of divine
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favour.
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2. No grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and
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original of all blessings, the <I>Father of lights, from whom cometh
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down every good and perfect gift,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:17">James i. 17</A>.
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3. No grace and peace from God our Father, but in and through our Lord
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Jesus Christ. Christ, as Mediator, is the channel of conveyance of all
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spiritual blessings to the church, and directs the disposal of them to
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all his members.</P>
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<A NAME="Php1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Thankfulness and Joy.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
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4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request
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with joy,
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5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
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now;
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6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun
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a good work in you will perform <I>it</I> until the day of Jesus
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Christ:
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle proceeds after the inscription and benediction to
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thanksgiving for the saints at Philippi. He tells them what it was he
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thanked God for, upon their account. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. Paul remembered them: he bore them much in his thoughts; and though
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they were out of sight, and he was at a distance from them, yet they
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were not out of his mind: or, <I>Upon every mention of
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you</I>--<B><I>epi pase te mneia.</I></B> As he often thought of them,
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so he often spoke of them, and delighted to hear them spoken of. The
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very mention of them was grateful to him: it is a pleasure to hear of
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the welfare of an absent friend.</P>
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<P>
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II. He remembered them with joy. At Philippi he was maltreated; there
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he was scourged and put into the stocks, and for the present saw little
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of the fruit of his labour; and yet he remembers Philippi with joy. He
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looked upon his sufferings for Christ as his credit, his comfort, his
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crown, and was pleased at every mention of the place where he suffered.
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So far was he from being ashamed of them, or loth to hear of the scene
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of his sufferings, that he remembered it with joy.</P>
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<P>
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III. He remembered them in prayer: <I>Always in every prayer of mine
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for you all,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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The best remembrance of our friends is to remember them at the throne
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of grace. Paul was much in prayer for his friends, for all his friends,
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for these particularly. It should seem, by this manner of expression,
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that he mentioned at the throne of grace the several churches he was
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interested in and concerned for particularly and by name. He had
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seasons of prayer for the church at Philippi. God gives us leave to be
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thus free with him, though, for our comfort, he knows whom we mean when
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we do not name them.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He thanked God upon every joyful remembrance of them. Observe,
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Thanksgiving must have a part in every prayer; and whatsoever is the
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matter of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving.
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What we have the comfort of, God must have the glory of. He thanked
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God, as well as made requests with joy. As holy joy is the heart and
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soul of thankful praise, so thankful praise is the lip and language of
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holy joy.</P>
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<P>
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V. As in our prayers, so in our thanksgiving, we must eye God as our
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God: <I>I thank my God.</I> It encourages us in prayer, and enlarges
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the heart in praise, to see every mercy coming from the hand of God as
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our God.--<I>I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.</I> We must
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thank our God for others' graces and comforts, and gifts and
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usefulness, as we receive the benefit of them, and God receives glory
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by them. But what is the matter of this thanksgiving?
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1. He gives thanks to God for the comfort he had in them: for <I>your
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fellowship in the gospel, from the first day until now,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Observe, Gospel fellowship is a good fellowship; and the meanest
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Christians have fellowship in the gospel with the greatest apostles,
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for the gospel salvation is a <I>common salvation</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:3">
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Jude 3</A>),
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and they <I>obtain like precious faith</I> with them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:1">2 Pet. i. 1</A>.
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Those who sincerely receive and embrace the gospel have fellowship in
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it <I>from the very first day:</I> a new-born Christian, if he is
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true-born, is interested in all the promises and privileges of the
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gospel from the first day of his becoming such.--<I>Until now.</I>
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Observe, It is a great comfort to ministers when those who begin well
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hold on and persevere. Some, by their <I>fellowship in the gospel,</I>
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understand their liberality towards propagating the gospel, and
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translate <B><I>koinonia,</I></B> not <I>communion,</I> but
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<I>communication.</I> But, comparing it with Paul's thanksgiving on the
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account of other churches, it rather seems to be taken more generally
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for the fellowship which they had, in faith, and hope, and holy love,
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with all good Christians--a fellowship in gospel promises, ordinances,
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privileges, and hopes; and this from the <I>first day until now.</I>
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2. For the confidence he had concerning them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>Being confident of this very thing,</I> &c. Observe, The confidence
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of Christians is the great comfort of Christians, and we may fetch
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matter of praise from our hopes as well as from our joys; we must give
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thanks not only for what we have the present possession and evidence
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of, but for what we have the future prospect of. Paul speaks with much
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confidence concerning the good estate of others, hoping well concerning
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them in the judgment of charity, and being confident in the judgment of
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faith that if they were sincere they would be happy: <I>That he who has
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begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus
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Christ.</I> A good work <I>among you</I>--<B><I>en hymin,</I></B> so it
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may be read: understand it, in the general, of the planting of the
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church among them. He who hath planted Christianity in the world will
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preserve it as long as the world stands. Christ will have a church till
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the mystery of God shall be finished and the mystical body completed.
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The church is built upon a rock, and the <I>gates of hell shall not
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prevail against it.</I> But it is rather to be applied to particular
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persons, and then it speaks of the certain accomplishment of the work
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of grace wherever it is begun. Observe here,
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(1.) The work of grace is a good work, a blessed work; for it makes us
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good, and is an earnest of good to us. It makes us like God, and fits
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us for the enjoyment of God. That may well be called a good work which
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does us the greatest good.
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(2.) Wherever this good work is begun it is of God's beginning: <I>He
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has begun a good work in you.</I> We could not begin it ourselves, for
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we are by nature <I>dead in trespasses and sins:</I> and what can dead
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men do towards raising themselves to life; or how can they begin to act
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till they are enlivened in the same respect in which they are said to
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be dead? It is God who quickens those who are thus dead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:1,Col+2:13">Eph. ii. 1; Col. ii. 13</A>.
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(3.) The work of grace is but begun in this life; it is not finished
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here; as long as we are in this imperfect state there is something more
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to be done.
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(4.) If the same God who begins the good work did not undertake the
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carrying on and finishing of it, it would lie for ever unfinished. He
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must perform it who began it.
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(5.) We may be confident, or well persuaded, that God not only will not
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forsake, but that he will finish and crown the work of his own hands.
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For, <I>as for God, his work is perfect.</I>
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(6.) The work of grace will never be perfected <I>till the day of Jesus
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Christ,</I> the day of his appearance. When he shall come to judge the
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world, and finish his mediation, then this work will be complete, and
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the top-stone will be brought forth with shouting. We have the same
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expression,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Php1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Affection and Hope.</I></FONT></TD>
|
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I
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have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the
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defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of
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my grace.
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8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the
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bowels of Jesus Christ.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle expresses the ardent affection he had for them, and his
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concern for their spiritual welfare: <I>I have you in my heart,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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He loved them as his own soul, and they lay near his heart. He thought
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much of them, and was in care about them. Observe,
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1. Why he had them in his heart: <I>Inasmuch as both in my bonds, and
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in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of
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my grace;</I> that is, they had received benefit by him and by his
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ministry; they were partakers of that grace of God which by him, and
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through his hands, was communicated to them. This makes people dear to
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their ministers--their receiving benefit by their ministry. Or, "<I>You
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are partakers of my grace,</I> you have joined with me in doing and
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suffering." They were partakers of his affliction by sympathy and
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concern, and readiness to assist him. Thus he calls being partakers of
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his grace; for those who suffer with the saints are and shall be
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comforted with them; and those shall share in the reward, who bear
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|
their part of the burden. He loved them because they adhered to him in
|
|
his bonds, and in the <I>defence and confirmation of the gospel:</I>
|
|
they were as ready to appear in their places, and according to their
|
|
capacity, for the defence of the gospel, as the apostle was in his; and
|
|
therefore he had them in his heart. Fellow sufferers should be dear one
|
|
to another; those who have ventured and suffered in the same good cause
|
|
of God and religion should for that reason love one another dearly: or,
|
|
because <I>you have me at heart</I>--<B><I>dia to echein me en te
|
|
kardia hymas.</I></B> They manifested their respect for him by adhering
|
|
firmly to the doctrine he preached, and readily suffering for it along
|
|
with him. The truest mark of respect towards our ministers is receiving
|
|
and abiding by the doctrine they preach.
|
|
|
|
2. The evidence of it: <I>It is meet for me to think this of you all,
|
|
because I have you in my heart.</I> By this it appeared that he had
|
|
them in his heart, because he had a good opinion of them and good hopes
|
|
concerning them. Observe, It is very proper to think the best of other
|
|
people, and as well as we can of them--to suppose as well of them as
|
|
the matter will admit in all cases.
|
|
|
|
3. An appeal to God concerning the truth of this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>For God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels
|
|
of Jesus Christ.</I> Having them in his heart, he longed after them;
|
|
either he longed to see them, longed to hear from them, or he longed
|
|
for their spiritual welfare and their increase and improvement in
|
|
knowledge and grace. He had <I>joy in them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
because of the good he saw and heard of among them; yet still he longed
|
|
after them, to hear of more of it among them; and he <I>longed after
|
|
them all,</I> not only those among them who were witty and wealthy, but
|
|
even the meanest and poorest; and he <I>longed greatly</I> after them,
|
|
or with strong affection and great good-will; and this <I>in the bowels
|
|
of Jesus Christ,</I> with that tender concern which Christ himself has
|
|
and has shown to precious souls. Paul was herein a follower of Christ,
|
|
and all good ministers should aim to be so. O the bowels of compassion
|
|
which are in Jesus Christ to poor souls! It was in compassion to them
|
|
that he undertook their salvation, and put himself to so vast an
|
|
expense to compass it. Now, in conformity to the example of Christ,
|
|
Paul had a compassion for them, and longed after them all <I>in the
|
|
bowels of Jesus Christ.</I> Shall not we pity and love those souls whom
|
|
Christ had such a love and pity for? For this he appeals to God: <I>God
|
|
is my record.</I> It was an inward disposition of mind that he
|
|
expressed towards them, to the sincerity of which God only was witness,
|
|
and therefore to him he appeals. "Whether you know it or not, or are
|
|
sensible of it, God, who knows the heart, knows it."</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_11"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Affection and Hope.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more
|
|
in knowledge and <I>in</I> 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
These verses contain the prayers he put up for them. Paul often let his
|
|
friends know what it was he begged of God for them, that they might
|
|
know what to beg for themselves and be directed in their own prayers,
|
|
and that they might be encouraged to hope they should receive from God
|
|
the quickening, strengthening, everlasting, comforting grace, which so
|
|
powerful an intercessor as Paul asked of God for them. It is an
|
|
encouragement to us to know that we are prayed for by our friends, who,
|
|
we have reason to think, have an interest at the throne of grace. It
|
|
was intended likewise for their direction in their walk, and that they
|
|
might labour to answer his prayers for them; for by this it would
|
|
appear that God had answered them. Paul, in praying thus for them,
|
|
expected good concerning them. It is an inducement to us to do our
|
|
duty, that we may not disappoint the expectations of praying friends
|
|
and ministers. He prayed,
|
|
|
|
1. That they might be a loving people, and that good affections might
|
|
abound among them; <I>That your love might abound yet more and
|
|
more.</I> He means it of their love to God, and one another, and all
|
|
men. Love is the fulfilling both of the law and of the gospel. Observe,
|
|
Those who abound much in any grace have still need to abound more and
|
|
more, because there is still something wanting in it and we are
|
|
imperfect in our best attainments.
|
|
|
|
2. That they might be a knowing and judicious people: that love might
|
|
abound <I>in knowledge and in all judgment.</I> It is not a blind love
|
|
that will recommend us to God, but a love grounded upon knowledge and
|
|
judgment. We must love God because of his infinite excellence and
|
|
loveliness, and love our brethren because of what we see of the image
|
|
of God upon them. Strong passions, without knowledge and a settled
|
|
judgment, will not make us complete in the will of God, and sometimes
|
|
do more hurt than good. The Jews had a zeal of God, but not according
|
|
to knowledge, and were transported by it to violence and rage,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:2,Joh+16:2">Rom. x. 2; John xvi. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. That they might be a discerning people. This would be the effect of
|
|
their knowledge and judgment: <I>That you may approve the things which
|
|
are excellent</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
or, as it is in the margin, <I>Try the things which differ;</I>
|
|
<B><I>eis to dokimazein humas ta diapheronta,</I></B> that we may
|
|
approve the things which are excellent upon the trial of them, and
|
|
discern their difference from other things. Observe, The truths and
|
|
laws of Christ are excellent things; and it is necessary that we every
|
|
one approve them, and esteem them such. We only need to try them, to
|
|
approve of them; and they will easily recommend themselves to any
|
|
searching and discerning mind.
|
|
|
|
4. That they might be an honest upright-hearted people: <I>That you may
|
|
be sincere.</I> Sincerity is our gospel perfection, that in which we
|
|
should have our conversation in the world, and which is the glory of
|
|
all our graces. When the eye is single, when we are inward with God in
|
|
what we do, are really what we appear to be, and mean honestly, then we
|
|
are sincere.
|
|
|
|
5. That they might be an inoffensive people: that you may be <I>without
|
|
offence until the day of Christ;</I> not apt to take offence; and very
|
|
careful not to give offence to God or their brethren, to <I>live in all
|
|
good conscience before God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+23:1">Acts xxiii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to <I>exercise ourselves to have always a conscience void of
|
|
offence towards God and towards men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:16">Acts xxiv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
And we must continue to the end <I>blameless,</I> that we may be
|
|
presented so at the <I>day of Christ.</I> He will present the church
|
|
<I>without spot or wrinkle</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:27">Eph. v. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>present</I> believers <I>faultless before the presence of his
|
|
glory with exceeding joy,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:24">Jude 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
6. That they might be a fruitful useful people
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,</I> &c. From God is
|
|
our fruit found, and therefore from him it must be asked. The <I>fruits
|
|
of righteousness</I> are the evidences and effects of our
|
|
sanctification, the duties of holiness springing from a renewed heart,
|
|
the <I>root of the matter in us. Being filled</I> with them. Observe,
|
|
Those who do much good should still endeavour to do more. The fruits of
|
|
righteousness, brought forth for the glory of God and edification of
|
|
his church, should really fill us, and wholly take us up. Fear not
|
|
being emptied by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, for you
|
|
will be filled with them. These fruits are <I>by Jesus Christ,</I> by
|
|
his strength and grace, for <I>without him we can do nothing.</I> He is
|
|
the root of the good olive, from which it derives its fatness. We are
|
|
<I>strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:1">2 Tim. ii. 1</A>)
|
|
|
|
and <I>strengthened with might by his Spirit</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:16">Eph. iii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they are <I>unto the glory and praise of God.</I> We must not aim
|
|
at our own glory in our fruitfulness, but at the <I>praise and glory of
|
|
God,</I> that <I>God may be glorified in all things</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:11">1 Peter iv. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>whatsoever we do we must do all to the glory of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:31">1 Cor. x. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is much for the honour of God, when Christians not only are good,
|
|
but do good, and <I>abound in good works.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Success and Joy.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things
|
|
<I>which happened</I> 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 <I>places;</I>
|
|
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 affliction 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 <I>my</I> hope, that in
|
|
nothing I shall be ashamed, but <I>that</I> with all boldness, as
|
|
always, <I>so</I> now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,
|
|
whether <I>it be</I> by life, or by death.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their being offended
|
|
at his sufferings. He was now a prisoner at Rome; this might be a
|
|
stumbling-block to those who had received the gospel by his ministry.
|
|
They might be tempted to think, If this doctrine were indeed of God,
|
|
God would not suffer one who was so active and instrumental in
|
|
preaching and propagating it to be thrown by as a despised broken
|
|
vessel. They might be shy of owning this doctrine, lest they should be
|
|
involved in the same trouble themselves. Now to take off the offence of
|
|
the cross, he expounds this dark and hard chapter of his sufferings,
|
|
and makes it very easy and intelligible, and reconcilable to the wisdom
|
|
and goodness of God who employed him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He suffered by the sworn enemies of the gospel, who laid him in
|
|
prison, and aimed at taking away his life; but they should not be
|
|
stumbled at this, for good was brought out of it, and it tended to the
|
|
furtherance of the gospel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
|
|
furtherance of the gospel.</I> A strange chemistry of Providence this,
|
|
to extract so great a good as the enlargement of the gospel out of so
|
|
great an evil as the confinement of the apostle. "<I>I suffer trouble
|
|
as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:9">2 Tim. ii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
They cannot imprison the word of God; that has its free course, though
|
|
I am confined." But how was this?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It alarmed those who were without
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>My bonds in Christ,</I> or for Christ, <I>are manifest in all the
|
|
palace and in all other places.</I> The emperor, the courtiers, the
|
|
magistrates, are convinced that I do not suffer as an evil-doer, but as
|
|
an honest man, with a good conscience. They know that I suffer for
|
|
Christ, and not for any wickedness." Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Paul's sufferings made him known at court, where perhaps he would
|
|
never have otherwise been known; and this might lead some of them to
|
|
enquire after the gospel for which he suffered, which they might
|
|
otherwise have never heard of.
|
|
|
|
(2.) When his bonds were manifest in the palace, they were manifest in
|
|
all other places. <I>The sentiments of the court have a great influence
|
|
on the sentiments of all people--Regis ad exemplum totus componitur
|
|
orbis.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It emboldened those who were within. As his enemies were startled at
|
|
his sufferings, so his friends were encouraged by them. <I>Upright men
|
|
shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself
|
|
against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he
|
|
who has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+17:8,9">Job xvii. 8, 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
So it was here: <I>Many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by
|
|
my bonds,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
The expectation of trouble for their religion, in general, perhaps
|
|
disheartened and discouraged them; but, when they saw Paul imprisoned
|
|
for Christ, they were so far from being deterred from preaching Christ
|
|
and praising his name, that it made them the more bold; for they could
|
|
gladly suffer in Paul's company. If they should be hurried from the
|
|
pulpit to the prison, they could be reconciled to it, because they
|
|
would be there in such good company. Besides, the comfort which Paul
|
|
had in his sufferings, his extraordinary consolations received from
|
|
Christ in a suffering state, greatly encouraged them. They saw that
|
|
those who served Christ served a good Master, who could both bear them
|
|
up and bear them out, in their sufferings for him. <I>Waxing confident
|
|
by my bonds.</I> <B><I>Pepoithotas.</I></B> They were more fully
|
|
satisfied and persuaded by what they saw. Observe the power of divine
|
|
grace; that which was intended by the enemy to discourage the preachers
|
|
of the gospel was overruled for their encouragement. And <I>are much
|
|
more bold to speak the word without fear;</I> they see the worst of it,
|
|
and therefore are not afraid to venture. Their confidence gave them
|
|
courage, and their courage preserved them from the power of fear.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He suffered from false friends as well as from enemies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Some preach Christ even of envy and strife. The one preach Christ of
|
|
contention, not sincerely.</I> Now this would be a stumbling-block and
|
|
discouragement to some, that there were those who envied Paul's
|
|
reputation in the churches, and the interest he had among the
|
|
Christians, and endeavoured to supplant and undermine him. They were
|
|
secretly pleased when he was laid up in prison, that they might have
|
|
the better opportunity to steal away the people's affections; and they
|
|
laid themselves out the more in preaching, that they might gain to
|
|
themselves the reputation they envied him: <I>Supposing to add
|
|
affliction to my bonds.</I> They thought hereby to grieve his spirit,
|
|
and make him afraid of losing his interest, uneasy under his
|
|
confinement, and impatient for release. It is sad that there should be
|
|
men who profess the gospel, especially who preach it, who are governed
|
|
by such principles as these, who should preach Christ in spite to Paul,
|
|
and to increase the affliction of his bonds. Let us not think it
|
|
strange if in these later and more degenerate ages of the church there
|
|
should be any such. However, there were others who were animated by
|
|
Paul's sufferings to preach Christ the more vigorously: <I>Some also of
|
|
good will, and love:</I> from sincere affection to the gospel, that the
|
|
work might not stand while the workman was laid up.--<I>Knowing that I
|
|
am set for the defence of the gospel.</I> They knew that he was
|
|
appointed to support and propagate the gospel in the world, against all
|
|
the violence and opposition of its enemies, and were afraid lest the
|
|
gospel should suffer by his confinement. This made them the more bold
|
|
to preach the word and <I>supply his lack of service</I> to the
|
|
church.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. It is very affecting to see how easy he was in the midst of all:
|
|
<I>Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ
|
|
is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, The preaching of Christ is the joy of all who wish well to his
|
|
kingdom among men. Since it may tend to the good of many, we ought to
|
|
rejoice in it, though it be done in pretence, and not in reality. It is
|
|
God's prerogative to judge of the principles men act upon; this is out
|
|
of our line. Paul was so far from envying those who had liberty to
|
|
preach the gospel while he was under confinement that he rejoiced in
|
|
the preaching of it even by those who do it in pretence, and not in
|
|
truth. How much more then should we rejoice in the preaching of the
|
|
gospel by those who do it in truth, yea, though it should be with much
|
|
weakness and some mistake! Two things made the apostle rejoice in the
|
|
preaching of the gospel:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Because it tended to the salvation of the souls of men: <I>I know
|
|
that this shall turn to my salvation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, God can bring good out of evil; and what does not turn to the
|
|
salvation of the ministers may yet, by the grace of God, be made to
|
|
turn to the salvation of the people. What reward can those expect who
|
|
preach Christ out <I>of strife, and envy, and contention,</I> and to
|
|
add affliction to a faithful minister's bonds? who preach in pretence,
|
|
and not in truth? And yet even this may turn to the salvation of
|
|
others; and Paul's rejoicing in it turned to his salvation too. This is
|
|
one of the things which <I>accompany salvation</I>--to be able to
|
|
rejoice that Christ is preached, though it be to the diminution of us
|
|
and our reputation. This noble spirit appeared in John the Baptist, at
|
|
the first public preaching of Christ: "<I>This my joy therefore is
|
|
fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:29,30">John iii. 29, 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let him shine, though I be obscured; and his glory be exalted, though
|
|
upon my ruins." Others understand this expression of the malice of his
|
|
enemies being defeated, and contributing towards his deliverance from
|
|
his confinement. <I>Through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit
|
|
of Christ.</I> Note, Whatever turns to our salvation is by the supply
|
|
or the aids and assistance of the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the
|
|
appointed means of fetching in that supply. The prayers of the people
|
|
may bring a supply of the Spirit to their ministers, to support them in
|
|
suffering, as well as in preaching the gospel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Because it would turn to the glory of Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>,
|
|
|
|
where he takes occasion to mention his own entire devotedness to the
|
|
service and honour of Christ: <I>According to my earnest expectation
|
|
and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed,</I> &c. Here observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The great desire of every true Christian is that Christ may be
|
|
magnified and glorified, that his name may be great, and his kingdom
|
|
come.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those who truly desire that Christ may be magnified desire that he
|
|
may be <I>magnified in their body.</I> They present their <I>bodies a
|
|
living sacrifice</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1">Rom. xii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>yield their members as instruments of righteousness unto
|
|
God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+6:13">Rom. vi. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
They are willing to serve his designs, and be instrumental to his
|
|
glory, with every member of their body, as well as faculty of their
|
|
soul.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It is much for the glory of Christ that we should serve him boldly
|
|
and not be ashamed of him, with freedom and liberty of mind, and
|
|
without discouragement: <I>That in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that
|
|
with all boldness Christ may be magnified.</I> The boldness of
|
|
Christians is the honour of Christ.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Those who make Christ's glory their desire and design may make it
|
|
their expectation and hope. If it be truly aimed at, it shall certainly
|
|
be attained. If in sincerity we pray, <I>Father, glorify thy name,</I>
|
|
we may be sure of the same answer to that prayer which Christ had: <I>I
|
|
have glorified it, and I will glorify it again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:28">John xii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
(5.) Those who desire that Christ may be magnified in their bodies have
|
|
a holy indifference <I>whether it be by life or by death.</I> They
|
|
refer it to him which way he will make them serviceable to his glory,
|
|
whether by their labours or sufferings, by their diligence or patience,
|
|
by their living to his honour in working for him or dying to his honour
|
|
in suffering for him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_26"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec6"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Generous Exultation.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 For to me to live <I>is</I> Christ, and to die <I>is</I> gain.
|
|
22 But if I live in the flesh, this <I>is</I> 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 <I>is</I> 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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here an account of the life and death of blessed Paul: his life
|
|
was Christ, and his death was gain. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. It is the undoubted character of every good Christian that to him to
|
|
live is Christ. The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life,
|
|
the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ
|
|
the rule of it. The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed
|
|
to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it.
|
|
|
|
2. All those to whom to live is Christ to them to die <I>will be
|
|
gain:</I> it is great gain, a present gain, everlasting gain. Death is
|
|
a great loss to a carnal worldly man; for he loses all his comforts and
|
|
all his hopes: but to a good Christian it is gain, for it is the end of
|
|
all his weakness and misery and the perfection of his comforts and
|
|
accomplishment of his hopes; it delivers him from all the evils of
|
|
life, and brings him to the possession of the chief good. Or, <I>To me
|
|
to die is gain;</I> that is, "to the gospel as well as to myself, which
|
|
will receive a further confirmation by the seal of my blood, as it had
|
|
before by the labours of my life." So Christ would be <I>magnified by
|
|
his death,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some read the whole expression thus: <I>To me, living and dying, Christ
|
|
is gain;</I> that is, "I desire no more, neither while I live nor when
|
|
I die, but to win Christ and be found in him." It might be thought, if
|
|
death were gain to him, he would be weary of life, and impatient for
|
|
death. No, says he,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. <I>If I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, Christ is. He reckoned his labour well bestowed, if he could
|
|
be instrumental to advance the honour and interest of the kingdom of
|
|
Christ in the world. It is <I>the fruit of my labour</I>--<B><I>karpos
|
|
ergou</I></B>--<I>operæ pretium.</I> It is worth while for a good
|
|
Christian and a good minister to live in the world as long as he can
|
|
glorify God and do good to his church. <I>Yet what I shall choose I wot
|
|
not; for I am in a strait betwixt two.</I> It was a blessed strait
|
|
which Paul was in, not between two evil things, but between two good
|
|
things. David was in a strait by three judgments--sword, famine, and
|
|
pestilence: Paul was in a strait between two blessings--living to
|
|
Christ, and being with him. Here we have him reasoning with himself
|
|
upon the matter.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His inclination was for death. See the power of faith and of divine
|
|
grace; it can reconcile the mind to death, and make us willing to die,
|
|
though death is the destruction of our present nature and the greatest
|
|
natural evil. We have naturally an aversion to death, but he had an
|
|
inclination to it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ,</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is being with Christ which makes a departure desirable to a
|
|
good man. It is not simply dying, or putting off the body, it is not of
|
|
itself and for its own sake a desirable thing; but it may be
|
|
necessarily connected with something else which may make it truly so.
|
|
If I cannot be with Christ without departing, I shall reckon it
|
|
desirable on that account to depart.
|
|
|
|
(2.) As soon as ever the soul departs, it is immediately with Christ.
|
|
<I>This day shalt thou be with me in paradise,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:43">Luke xxiii. 43</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Absent from the body and present with the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:8">2 Cor. v. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
without any interval between. <I>Which is far better,</I> <B><I>pollo
|
|
gar mallon kreisson</I></B>--<I>very much exceeding,</I> or <I>vastly
|
|
preferable.</I> Those who know the value of Christ and heaven will
|
|
readily acknowledge it far better to be in heaven than to be in this
|
|
world, to be with Christ than to be with any creature; for in this
|
|
world we are compassed about with sin, born to trouble, born again to
|
|
it; but, if we come to be with Christ, farewell sin and temptation,
|
|
farewell sorrow and death, for ever.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. His judgment was rather to live awhile longer in this world, for the
|
|
service of the church
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.</I> It
|
|
is needful for the church to have ministers; and faithful ministers can
|
|
ill be spared when the <I>harvest is plenteous and the labourers are
|
|
few.</I> Observe, Those who have most reason to desire to depart should
|
|
be willing to continue in the world as long as God has any work for
|
|
them to do. Paul's strait was not between living in this world and
|
|
living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison: but his
|
|
strait was between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in
|
|
another. Still it was Christ that his heart was upon: though, to
|
|
advance the interest of Christ and his church, he chose rather to tarry
|
|
here, where he met with oppositions and difficulties, and to deny
|
|
himself for awhile the satisfaction of his reward.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. <I>And, having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and
|
|
continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. What a great confidence Paul had in the divine Providence, that it
|
|
would order all for the best to him. "Having this confidence that it
|
|
will be needful for you that I should abide in the flesh, I know that I
|
|
shall abide."
|
|
|
|
2. Whatsoever is best for the church, we may be sure God will do. If we
|
|
know what is needful for building up the body of Christ, we may
|
|
certainly know what will be; for he will take care of its interests,
|
|
and do what is best, all things considered, in every condition it is
|
|
in.
|
|
|
|
3. Observe what ministers are continued for: <I>For our furtherance and
|
|
joy of faith,</I> our further advancement in holiness and comfort.
|
|
|
|
4. What promotes our <I>faith and joy of faith</I> is very much for our
|
|
furtherance in the way to heaven. The more faith the more joy, and the
|
|
more faith and joy the more we are furthered in our Christian course.
|
|
|
|
5. There is need of a settled ministry, not only for the conviction and
|
|
conversion of sinners, but for the edification of saints, and their
|
|
furtherance in spiritual attainments.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. <I>That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for
|
|
me, by my coming to you again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
They rejoiced in the hope of seeing him, and enjoying his further
|
|
labours among them. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The continuance of ministers with the church ought to be the
|
|
rejoicing of all who wish well to the church, and to its interests.
|
|
|
|
2. All our joys should terminate in Christ. Our joy in good ministers
|
|
should be our joy <I>in Christ Jesus for them;</I> for they are but the
|
|
<I>friends of the bridegroom,</I> and are to be received in his name,
|
|
and for his sake.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php1_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec7"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Exhortations.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
|
|
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may
|
|
hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
|
|
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
|
|
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to
|
|
them an evident token of perdition, 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 saw in me, and now hear
|
|
<I>to be</I> in me.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle concludes the chapter with two exhortations:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He exhorts them to strictness of conversation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ.</I>
|
|
Observe, Those who profess the gospel of Christ should have their
|
|
conversation as becomes the gospel, or in a suitableness and
|
|
agreeableness to it. Let it be as becomes those who believe gospel
|
|
truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises; and
|
|
with an answerable faith, holiness, and comfort. Let it be in all
|
|
respects as those who belong to the kingdom of God among men, and are
|
|
members and subjects of it. It is an ornament to our profession when
|
|
our conversation is of a piece with it.--<I>That whether I come and see
|
|
you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs.</I> He had spoken
|
|
in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>
|
|
|
|
of his coming to them again, and had spoken it with some assurance,
|
|
though he was now a prisoner; but he would not have them build upon
|
|
that. Our religion must not be bound up in the hands of our ministers:
|
|
"Whether I come or no, let me hear well of you, and do you stand fast."
|
|
Whether ministers come or no, Christ is always at hand. He is nigh to
|
|
us, never far from us; and hastens his second coming. <I>The coming of
|
|
the Lord draws nigh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:8">James v. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let me hear of you <I>that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
|
|
striving together for the faith of the gospel.</I> Three things he
|
|
desired to hear of them; and they are all such as become the gospel:--
|
|
|
|
1. It becomes those who profess the gospel to strive for it, to use a
|
|
holy violence in taking the kingdom of heaven. The <I>faith of the
|
|
gospel</I> is the doctrine of faith, <I>or</I> the religion of the
|
|
gospel. There is that in the faith of the gospel which is worth
|
|
striving for. If religion is worth any thing, it is worth every thing.
|
|
There is much opposition, and there is need of striving. A man may
|
|
sleep and go to hell; but he who will go to heaven must look about him
|
|
and be diligent.
|
|
|
|
2. The unity and unanimity of Christians become the gospel: <I>Strive
|
|
together,</I> not strive one with another; all of you must strive
|
|
against the common adversary. One spirit and one mind become the
|
|
gospel; for <I>there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.</I> There may
|
|
be a oneness of heart and affection among Christians, where there is
|
|
diversity of judgment and apprehensions about many things.
|
|
|
|
3. Stedfastness becomes the gospel: <I>Stand fast in one spirit, with
|
|
one mind.</I> Be <I>stedfast and immovable</I> by any opposition. It is
|
|
a shame to religion when the professors of it are off and on, unfixed
|
|
in their minds, and unstable as water; for they will never excel. Those
|
|
who would strive for the faith of the gospel must stand firm to it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He exhorts them to courage and constancy in suffering: <I>And in
|
|
nothing terrified by your adversaries,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
The professors of the gospel have all along met with adversaries,
|
|
especially at the first planting of Christianity. Our great care must
|
|
be to keep close to our profession, and be constant to it: whatever
|
|
oppositions we meet with, we must not be frightened at them,
|
|
considering that the condition of the persecuted is much better and
|
|
more desirable than the condition of the persecutors; for persecuting
|
|
is an <I>evident token of perdition.</I> Those who oppose the gospel of
|
|
Christ, and injure the professors of it, are marked out for ruin. But
|
|
being persecuted is a token of salvation. Not that it is a certain
|
|
mark; many hypocrites have suffered for their religion; but it is a
|
|
good sign that we are in good earnest in religion, and designed for
|
|
salvation, when we are enabled in a right manner to suffer for the
|
|
cause of Christ.--<I>For to you it is given on the behalf of Christ not
|
|
only to believe, but also to suffer for his name,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here are two precious gifts given, and both on the behalf of Christ:--
|
|
|
|
1. To believe in him. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ, who
|
|
purchased for us not only the blessedness which is the object of faith,
|
|
but the grace of faith itself: the ability or disposition to believe is
|
|
from God.
|
|
|
|
2. To suffer for the sake of Christ is a valuable gift too: it is a
|
|
great honour and a great advantage; for we may be very serviceable to
|
|
the glory of God, which is the end of our creation, and encourage and
|
|
confirm the faith of others. And there is a great reward attending it
|
|
too: <I>Blessed are you when men shall persecute you, for great is your
|
|
reward in heaven,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:11,12">Matt. v. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, if <I>we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:12">2 Tim. ii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
If we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon it a great
|
|
gift, and prize it accordingly, always provided we behave under our
|
|
sufferings with the genuine temper of martyrs and confessors
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in
|
|
me;</I> that is, suffering in the same manner as you saw and now hear
|
|
of me that I suffer." It is not simply the suffering, but the cause,
|
|
and not only the cause, but the spirit, which makes the martyr. A man
|
|
may suffer in a bad cause, and then he suffers justly; or in a good
|
|
cause, but with a wrong mind, and then his sufferings lose their
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