mh_parser/vol_split/50 - Philippians/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="Phi.v" n="v" next="Col" prev="Phi.iv" progress="62.87%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="Phi.v-p0.1">P H I L I P P I A N S.</h2>
<h3 id="Phi.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Phi.v-p1">Exhortations to several Christian duties, as
stedfastness, unanimity, joy, &amp;c., <scripRef id="Phi.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.1-Phil.4.9" parsed="|Phil|4|1|4|9" passage="Php 4:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. The apostle's grateful
acknowledgments of the Philippians' kindness to him, with
expressions of his own content, and desire of their good, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.10-Phil.4.19" parsed="|Phil|4|10|4|19" passage="Php 4:10-19">ver. 10-19</scripRef>. He concludes the
epistle with praise, salutations, and blessing, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.20-Phil.4.23" parsed="|Phil|4|20|4|23" passage="Php 4:20-23">ver. 20-23</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Phi.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4" parsed="|Phil|4|0|0|0" passage="Php 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Phi.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.1-Phil.4.9" parsed="|Phil|4|1|4|9" passage="Php 4:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.4.1-Phil.4.9">
<h4 id="Phi.v-p1.6">Various Exhortations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.v-p1.7">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Phi.v-p2">1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and
longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, <i>my</i>
dearly beloved.   2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche,
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.   3 And I intreat
thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me
in the gospel, with Clement also, and <i>with</i> other my
fellowlabourers, whose names <i>are</i> in the book of life.  
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: <i>and</i> again I say, Rejoice.
  5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord
<i>is</i> at hand.   6 Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.   7 And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.   8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things <i>are</i> honest, whatsoever things
<i>are</i> just, whatsoever things <i>are</i> pure, whatsoever
things <i>are</i> lovely, whatsoever things <i>are</i> of good
report; if <i>there be</i> any virtue, and if <i>there be</i> any
praise, think on these things.   9 Those things, which ye have
both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the
God of peace shall be with you.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p3">The apostle begins the chapter with
exhortations to divers Christian duties.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p4">I. To stedfastness in our Christian
profession, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.1" parsed="|Phil|4|1|0|0" passage="Php 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. It
is inferred from the close of the foregoing chapter: <i>Therefore
stand fast,</i> &amp;c. Seeing our <i>conversation is in
heaven,</i> and we look for the Saviour to come thence and fetch us
thither, <i>therefore let us stand fast.</i> Note, The believing
hope and prospect of eternal life should engage us to be steady,
even, and constant, in our Christian course. Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p5">1. The compellations are very endearing:
<i>My brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown;</i> and again, <i>My dearly beloved.</i> Thus he expresses
the pleasure he took in them, the kindness he had for them, to
convey his exhortations to them with so much the greater advantage.
He looked upon them as his brethren, though he was a great apostle.
<i>All we are brethren.</i> There is difference of gifts, graces,
and attainments, yet, being renewed by the same Spirit, after the
same image, we are brethren; as the children of the same parents,
though of different ages, statures, and complexions. Being
brethren, (1.) He loved them, and loved them dearly: <i>Dearly
beloved;</i> and again, <i>My dearly beloved.</i> Warm affections
become ministers and Christians towards one another. Brotherly love
must always go along with brotherly relation. (2.) He loved them
and longed for them, longed to see them and hear from them, longed
for their welfare and was earnestly desirous of it. <i>I long after
you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.8" parsed="|Phil|1|8|0|0" passage="Php 1:8"><i>ch.</i> i. 8</scripRef>. (3.) He loved them and
rejoiced in them. They were his joy; he had no greater joy than to
hear of their spiritual health and prosperity. <i>I rejoiced
greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2John.1.4 Bible:3John.1.4" parsed="|2John|1|4|0|0;|3John|1|4|0|0" passage="2Jo 1:4,3Jo 1:4">2 John 4; 3 John 4</scripRef>.
(4.) he loved them and gloried in them. They were his crown as well
as his joy. Never was proud ambitious man more pleased with the
ensigns of honour than Paul was with the evidences of the sincerity
of their faith and obedience. All this is to prepare his way to
greater regard.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p6">2. The exhortation itself: <i>So stand fast
in the Lord.</i> Being in Christ, they must stand fast in him, be
even and steady in their walk with him, and close and constant unto
the end. Or, To <i>stand fast in the Lord</i> is to stand fast in
his strength and by his grace; not trusting in ourselves, and
disclaiming any sufficiency of our own. We must be <i>strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.10" parsed="|Eph|6|10|0|0" passage="Eph 6:10">Eph. vi. 10</scripRef>. "So stand fast, so as you have
done hitherto, stand fast unto the end, so as you are by beloved,
and my joy and crown; so stand fast as those in whose welfare and
perseverance I am so nearly interested and concerned."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p7">II. He exhorts them to unanimity and mutual
assistance (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.2-Phil.4.3" parsed="|Phil|4|2|4|3" passage="Php 4:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>): <i>I beseech Euodias and Syntyche that they be of
the same mind in the Lord.</i> This is directed to some particular
persons. Sometimes there is need of applying the general precepts
of the gospel to particular persons and cases. Euodias and
Syntyche, it seems, were at variance, either one with the other or
with the church; either upon a civil account (it may be they were
engaged in a law-suit) or upon a religious account—it may be they
were of different opinions and sentiments. "Pray," says he, "desire
them from me to be of the same mind in the Lord, to keep the peace
and live in love, to be of the same mind one with another, not
thwarting and contradicting, and to be of the same mind with the
rest of the church, not acting in opposition to them." Then he
exhorts to mutual assistance (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.3" parsed="|Phil|4|3|0|0" passage="Php 4:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), and this exhortation he directs to particular
persons: <i>I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow.</i> Who this
person was whom he calls true yoke-fellow is uncertain. Some think
Epaphroditus, who is supposed to have been one of the pastors of
the church of the Philippians. Others think it was some eminently
good woman, perhaps Paul's wife, because he exhorts his yoke-fellow
to <i>help the women who laboured with him.</i> Whoever was the
yoke-fellow with the apostle must be a yoke-fellow too with his
friends. It seems, there were women who laboured with Paul in the
gospel; not in the public ministry (for the apostle expressly
forbids that, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.12" parsed="|1Tim|2|12|0|0" passage="1Ti 2:12">1 Tim. ii.
12</scripRef>, <i>I suffer not a woman to teach</i>), but by
entertaining the ministers, visiting the sick, instructing the
ignorant, convincing the erroneous. Thus women may be helpful to
ministers in the work of the gospel. Now, says the apostle, <i>do
thou help them.</i> Those who help others should be helped
themselves when there is occasion. "<i>Help them,</i> that is, join
with them, strengthen their hands, encourage them in their
difficulties."—<i>With Clement also, and other my
fellow-labourers.</i> Paul had a kindness for all his
fellow-labourers; and, as he had found the benefit of their
assistance, he concluded how comfortable it would be to them to
have the assistance of others. Of his fellow-labourers he says,
<i>Whose names are in the book of life;</i> either they were chosen
of God from all eternity, or registered and enrolled in the
corporation and society to which the privilege of eternal life
belongs, alluding to the custom among the Jews and Gentiles of
registering the inhabitants or the freemen of the city. So we read
of their <i>names being written in heaven</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.10.20" parsed="|Luke|10|20|0|0" passage="Lu 10:20">Luke x. 20</scripRef>), <i>not blotting his name out of
the book of life</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.5" parsed="|Rev|3|5|0|0" passage="Re 3:5">Rev. iii.
5</scripRef>), and of <i>those who are written in the Lamb's book
of life,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Rev.21.27" parsed="|Rev|21|27|0|0" passage="Re 21:27">Rev. xxi. 27</scripRef>.
Observe, There is a book of life; there are names in that book and
not characters and conditions only. We cannot search into that
book, or know whose names are written there; but we may, in a
judgment of charity, conclude that those who labour in the gospel,
and are faithful to the interest of Christ and souls, have their
names in the book of life.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p8">III. He exhorts to holy joy and delight in
God: <i>Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.4" parsed="|Phil|4|4|0|0" passage="Php 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. All our joy
must terminate in God; and our thoughts of God must be delightful
thoughts. <i>Delight thyself in the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.4" parsed="|Ps|37|4|0|0" passage="Ps 37:4">Ps. xxxvii. 4</scripRef>), <i>in the multitude of our
thoughts within us</i> (grievous and afflicting thoughts) <i>his
comforts delight our souls</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.94.19" parsed="|Ps|94|19|0|0" passage="Ps 94:19">Ps.
xciv. 19</scripRef>), and our <i>meditation of him is sweet,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.104.34" parsed="|Ps|104|34|0|0" passage="Ps 104:34">Ps. civ. 34</scripRef>. Observe, It
is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him
always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for
him, or are afflicted by him. We must not think the worse of him or
of his ways for the hardships we meet with in his service. There is
enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst
circumstance on earth. He had said it before (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.1" parsed="|Phil|3|1|0|0" passage="Php 3:1"><i>ch.</i> iii. 1</scripRef>): <i>Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord.</i> Here he says it again, <i>Rejoice in the
Lord always; and again I say Rejoice.</i> Joy in God is a duty of
great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be
again and again called to it. If good men have not a continual
feast, it is their own fault.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p9">IV. We are here exhorted to candour and
gentleness, and good temper towards our brethren: "<i>Let your
moderation be known to all men,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.5" parsed="|Phil|4|5|0|0" passage="Php 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. In things indifferent do not run
into extremes; avoid bigotry and animosity; judge charitably
concerning one another." The word <b><i>to epieikes</i></b>
signifies a good disposition towards other men; and this moderation
is explained, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.14.1-Rom.14.23" parsed="|Rom|14|1|14|23" passage="Ro 14:1-23">Rom. xiv</scripRef>.
Some understand it of the patient bearing of afflictions, or the
sober enjoyment of worldly good; and so it well agrees with the
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.6" parsed="|Phil|4|6|0|0" passage="Php 4:6">following verse</scripRef>. The reason
is, <i>the Lord is at hand.</i> The consideration of our Master's
approach, and our final account, should keep us from smiting our
fellow-servants, support us under present sufferings, and moderate
our affections to outward good. "He will take vengeance on your
enemies, and reward your patience."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p10">V. Here is a caution against disquieting
perplexing care (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.6" parsed="|Phil|4|6|0|0" passage="Php 4:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>Be careful for nothing</i>—<b><i>meden
merimnate</i></b>: the same expression with that <scripRef id="Phi.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.25" parsed="|Matt|6|25|0|0" passage="Mt 6:25">Matt. vi. 25</scripRef>, <i>Take no thought for your
life;</i> that is, avoid anxious care and distracting thought in
the wants and difficulties of life. Observe, It is the duty and
interest of Christians to live without care. There is a care of
diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast and
due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which
is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the
mind. "<i>Be careful for nothing,</i> so as by your care to
distrust God, and unfit yourselves for his service."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p11">VI. As a sovereign antidote against
perplexing care he recommends to us constant prayer: <i>In every
thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God.</i> Observe, 1. We must not only
keep up stated times for prayer, but we must pray upon every
particular emergency: <i>In every thing by prayer.</i> When any
thing burdens our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when
our affairs are perplexed or distressed, we must seek direction and
support. 2. We must join thanksgiving with our prayers and
supplications. We must not only seek supplies of good, but own
receipts of mercy. Grateful acknowledgments of what we have argue a
right disposition of mind, and are prevailing motives for further
blessings. 3. Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, or
making them known to him: <i>Let your requests be made known to
God.</i> Not that God needs to be told either our wants or desires;
for he knows them better than we can tell him: but he will know
them from us, and have us show our regards and concern, express our
value of the mercy and sense of our dependence on him. 4. The
effect of this will be the <i>peace of God keeping our hearts,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.7" parsed="|Phil|4|7|0|0" passage="Php 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. The <i>peace of
God,</i> that is, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation to
God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly
blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, <i>which passeth all
understanding,</i> is a great good than can be sufficiently valued
or duly expressed. <i>It has not entered into the heart of ham,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.9" parsed="|1Cor|2|9|0|0" passage="1Co 2:9">1 Cor. ii. 9</scripRef>. This peace
will <i>keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus;</i> it will
keep us from sinning under our troubles, and from sinking under
them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passion, and
with inward satisfaction. <i>Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on thee,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.3" parsed="|Isa|26|3|0|0" passage="Isa 26:3">Isa.
xxvi. 3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p12">VII. We are exhorted to get and keep a good
name, a name for good things with God and good men: <i>Whatsoever
things are true and honest</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.8" parsed="|Phil|4|8|0|0" passage="Php 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), a regard to truth in our words
and engagements, and to decency and becomingness in our behaviour,
suitable to our circumstances and condition of life. Whatsoever
things are <i>just and pure,</i>—agreeable to the rules of justice
and righteousness in all our dealings with men, and without the
impurity or mixture of sin. Whatsoever things are <i>lovely and of
good report,</i> that is, amiable; that will render us beloved, and
make us well spoken of, as well as well thought of, by others.
<i>If there is any virtue, if there is any praise</i>—any thing
really virtuous of any kind and worthy of commendation. Observe, 1.
The apostle would have the Christians learn any thing which was
good of their heathen neighbours: "<i>If there be any virtue, think
of these things</i>—imitate them in what is truly excellent among
them, and let not them outdo you in any instance of goodness." We
should not be ashamed to learn any good thing of bad men, or those
who have not our advantages. 2. Virtue has its praise, and will
have. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein;
and then, whether our praise be of men or no, it will be of God,
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.29" parsed="|Rom|2|29|0|0" passage="Ro 2:29">Rom. ii. 29</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p13">In these things he proposes himself to them
for an example (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.9" parsed="|Phil|4|9|0|0" passage="Php 4:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>): <i>Those things which you have learned, and
received, and heard and seen in me, do.</i> Observe, Paul's
doctrine and life were of a piece. What they saw in him was the
same thing with what they heard from him. He could propose himself
as well as his doctrine to their imitation. It gives a great force
to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they have seen
in us. And this is the way to have the <i>God of peace with
us</i>—to keep close to our duty to him. The <i>Lord is with us
while we are with him.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Phi.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.10-Phil.4.19" parsed="|Phil|4|10|4|19" passage="Php 4:10-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.4.10-Phil.4.19">
<h4 id="Phi.v-p13.3">Kindness Acknowledged; Christian
Contentment. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.v-p13.4">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Phi.v-p14">10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were
also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.   11 Not that I speak
in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
<i>therewith</i> to be content.   12 I know both how to be
abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I
am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need.   13 I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.   14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that
ye did communicate with my affliction.   15 Now ye Philippians
know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving
and receiving, but ye only.   16 For even in Thessalonica ye
sent once and again unto my necessity.   17 Not because I
desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
  18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things <i>which were sent</i> from you, an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
  19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p15">In these verses we have the thankful
grateful acknowledgment which the apostle makes of the kindness of
the Philippians in sending him a present for his support, now that
he was a prisoner at Rome. And here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p16">I. He takes occasion to acknowledge their
former kindnesses to him, and to make mention of them, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.15-Phil.4.16" parsed="|Phil|4|15|4|16" passage="Php 4:15,16"><i>v.</i> 15, 16</scripRef>. Paul had a
grateful spirit; for, though what his friends did for him was
nothing in comparison of what he deserved from them and the
obligations he had laid upon them, yet he speaks of their kindness
as if it had been a piece of generous charity, when it was really
far short of a just debt. If they had each of them contributed half
their estates to him, they had not given him too much, since they
<i>owed to him even their own souls;</i> and yet, when they send a
small present to him, how kindly does he take it, how thankfully
does he mention it, even in this epistle which was to be left upon
record, and read in the churches, through all ages; so that
wherever this epistle shall be read there shall this which they did
to Paul be told for a memorial of them. Surely never was present so
well repaid. He reminds them that <i>in the beginning of the gospel
no church communicated with him as to giving and receiving but they
only,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.15" parsed="|Phil|4|15|0|0" passage="Php 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>.
They not only maintained him comfortably while he was with them,
but when <i>he departed from Macedonia</i> they sent tokens of
their kindness after him; and this when no other church did so.
None besides sent after him of their carnal things, in
consideration of what they had reaped of his spiritual things. In
works of charity, we are ready to ask what other people do. But the
church of the Philippians never considered that. It redounded so
much the more to their honour that they were the only church who
were thus just and generous. <i>Even in Thessalonica</i> (after he
had departed from Macedonia) <i>you sent once and again to my
necessity,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.16" parsed="|Phil|4|16|0|0" passage="Php 4:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. Observe, 1. It was but little which they sent; they
sent only to his necessity, just such things as he had need of;
perhaps it was according to their ability, and he did not desire
superfluities nor dainties. 2. It is an excellent thing to see
those to whom God has abounded in the gifts of his grace abounding
in grateful returns to his people and ministers, according to their
own ability and their necessity: <i>You sent once and again.</i>
Many people make it an excuse for their charity that they have
given once; why should the charge come upon them again? But the
Philippians sent once and again; they often relieved and refreshed
him in his necessities. He makes this mention of their former
kindness, not only out of gratitude, but for their
encouragement.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p17">II. He excuses their neglect of late. It
seems, for some time they had not sent to enquire after him, or
sent him any present; but <i>now at the last their care of him
flourished again</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.10" parsed="|Phil|4|10|0|0" passage="Php 4:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), like a tree in the spring, which seemed all the
winter to be quite dead. Now, in conformity to the example of his
great Master, instead of upbraiding them for their neglect, he
makes an excuse for them: <i>Wherein you were also careful, but you
lacked opportunity.</i> How could they lack opportunity, if they
had been resolved upon it? They might have sent a messenger on
purpose. But the apostle is willing to suppose, in favour of them,
that they would have done it if a fair opportunity had offered. How
contrary is this to the behaviour of many to their friends, by whom
neglects which really are excusable are resented very heinously,
when Paul excused that which he had reason enough to resent.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p18">III. He commends their present liberality:
<i>Notwithstanding, you have well done that you did communicate
with my affliction,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.14" parsed="|Phil|4|14|0|0" passage="Php 4:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. It is a good work to succour and help a good
minister in trouble. Here see what is the nature of true Christian
sympathy; not only to be concerned for our friends in their
troubles, but to do what we can to help them. They <i>communicated
with his affliction,</i> in relieving him under it. He who says,
<i>Be you warmed, be you filled, and giveth not those things they
have need of, what doth it profit?</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.16" parsed="|Jas|2|16|0|0" passage="Jam 2:16">Jam. ii. 16</scripRef>. He rejoiced greatly in it
(<scripRef id="Phi.v-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.10" parsed="|Phil|4|10|0|0" passage="Php 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), because it
was an evidence of their affection to him and the success of his
ministry among them. When the fruit of their charity abounded
towards the apostle, it appeared that the fruit of his ministry
abounded among them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p19">IV. He takes care to obviate the bad use
some might make of his taking so much notice of what was sent him.
It did not proceed either from discontent and distrust (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.11" parsed="|Phil|4|11|0|0" passage="Php 4:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>) or from covetousness
and love of the world, <scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.12" parsed="|Phil|4|12|0|0" passage="Php 4:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. 1. It did not come from discontent, or distrust of
Providence: <i>Not that I speak in respect of want</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.11" parsed="|Phil|4|11|0|0" passage="Php 4:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); not in respect of any
want he felt, nor of any want he feared. As to the former, he was
content with the little he had, and that satisfied him; as to the
latter, he depended upon the providence of God to provide for him
from day to day, and that satisfied him: so that he did not speak
in respect of want any way. <i>For I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content.</i> We have here an account of
Paul's learning, not that which he got at the feet of Gamaliel, but
that which he got at the feet of Christ. He had learnt to be
content; and that was the lesson he had as much need to learn as
most men, considering the hardships and sufferings with which he
was exercised. He was in bonds, and imprisonments, and necessities,
often; but in all he had learnt to be content, that is, to bring
his mind to his condition, and make the best of it.—<i>I know both
how to be abased and I know how to abound,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.12" parsed="|Phil|4|12|0|0" passage="Php 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. This is a special act of grace,
to accommodate ourselves to every condition of life, and carry an
equal temper of mind through all the varieties of our state. (1.)
To accommodate ourselves to an afflicted condition—to know how to
be abased, how to be hungry, how to suffer want, so as not to be
overcome by the temptations of it, either to lose our comfort in
God or distrust his providence, or to take any indirect course for
our own supply. (2.) To a prosperous condition—to know how to
abound, how to be full, so as not to be proud, or secure, or
luxurious. And this is as hard a lesson as the other; for the
temptations of fulness and prosperity are not less than those of
affliction and want. But how must we learn it? <i>I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.13" parsed="|Phil|4|13|0|0" passage="Php 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. We have need of strength from
Christ, to enable us to perform not only those duties which are
purely Christian, but even those which are the fruit of moral
virtue. We need his strength to teach us to be content in every
condition. The apostle had seemed to boast of himself, and of his
own strength: <i>I know how to be abased</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.12" parsed="|Phil|4|12|0|0" passage="Php 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>); but here he transfers all the
praise to Christ. "What do I talk of <i>knowing how to be abased,
and how to abound?</i> It is only <i>through Christ who strengthens
me</i> that I can do it, not in my own strength." So we are
required to be <i>strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.10" parsed="|Eph|6|10|0|0" passage="Eph 6:10">Eph. vi. 10</scripRef>),
and to be <i>strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus</i>
(<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.1" parsed="|2Tim|2|1|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:1">2 Tim. ii. 1</scripRef>); and we are
<i>strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,</i>
<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.9" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.16" parsed="|Eph|3|16|0|0" passage="Eph 3:16">Eph. iii. 16</scripRef>. The word in
the original is a participle of the present tense, <b><i>en to
endynamounti me Christo,</i></b> and denotes a present and
continued act; as if he had said, "Through Christ, who is
strengthening me, and does continually strengthen me; it is by his
constant and renewed strength I am enabled to act in every thing; I
wholly depend upon him for all my spiritual power." 2. It did not
come from covetousness, or an affection to worldly wealth: "<i>Not
because I desired a gift</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.10" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.17" parsed="|Phil|4|17|0|0" passage="Php 4:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>): that is, I welcome your
kindness, not because it adds to my enjoyments, but because it adds
to your account." He desired not so much for his own sake, but
theirs: <i>"I desire fruit that may abound to your account,</i>
that is, that you may be enabled to make such a good use of your
worldly possessions that you may give an account of them with joy."
It is not with any design to draw more from you, but to encourage
you to such an exercise of beneficence as will meet with a glorious
reward hereafter. "For my part," says he, "<i>I have all, and
abound,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p19.11" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.18" parsed="|Phil|4|18|0|0" passage="Php 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>.
What can a man desire more than enough? I do not desire a gift for
the gift's sake, for <i>I have all, and abound.</i>" They sent him
a small token, and he desired no more; he was not solicitous for a
present superfluity, or a future supply: <i>I am full, having
received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent by you.</i>
Note, A good man will soon have enough of this world; not only of
living in it, but of receiving from it. A covetous worldling, if he
has ever so much, would still have more; but a heavenly Christian,
though he has little, has enough.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p20">V. The apostle assures them that God did
accept, and would recompense, their kindness to him. 1. He did
accept it: <i>It is an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, well-pleasing to God.</i> Not a sacrifice of atonement,
for none makes atonement for sin but Christ; but a sacrifice of
acknowledgment, and <i>well-pleasing to God.</i> It was more
acceptable to God as it was the fruit of their grace than it was to
Paul as it was the supply of his want. <i>With such sacrifices God
is well pleased,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.16" parsed="|Heb|13|16|0|0" passage="Heb 13:16">Heb. xiii.
16</scripRef>. 2. He would recompense it: <i>But my God shall
supply all your wants according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.19" parsed="|Phil|4|19|0|0" passage="Php 4:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. He
does as it were draw a bill upon the exchequer in heaven, and
leaves it to God to make them amends for the kindness they had
shown him. "He shall do it, not only as your God, but as my God,
who takes what is done to me as done to himself. You supplied my
needs, according to your poverty; and he shall supply yours,
according to his riches." But still it is by Christ Jesus; through
him we have grace to do that which is good, and through him we must
expect the reward of it. Not of debt, but of grace; for the more we
do for God the more we are indebted to him, because we receive the
more from him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Phi.v-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.20-Phil.4.23" parsed="|Phil|4|20|4|23" passage="Php 4:20-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Phil.4.20-Phil.4.23">
<h4 id="Phi.v-p20.4">Conclusion. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Phi.v-p20.5">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Phi.v-p21">20 Now unto God and our Father <i>be</i> glory
for ever and ever. Amen.   21 Salute every saint in Christ
Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.   22 All the
saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cæsar's household.
  23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <i>be</i> with you
all. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p22">The apostle concludes the epistle in these
verses,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p23">1. With praises to God: <i>Now unto God and
our Father be glory for ever and ever, Amen,</i> <scripRef id="Phi.v-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.20" parsed="|Phil|4|20|0|0" passage="Php 4:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) God is to be
considered by us as our Father: <i>Now unto God and our Father.</i>
It is a great condescension and favour in God to own the relation
of Father to sinners, and allow us to say to him, <i>Our
Father;</i> and it is a title peculiar to the gospel dispensation.
It is also a great privilege and encouragement to us to consider
him as our Father, as one so nearly related and who bears so tender
an affection towards us. We should look upon God, under all our
weaknesses and fears, not as a tyrant or an enemy, but as a Father,
who is disposed to pity us and help us. (2.) We must ascribe glory
to God as a Father, the glory of his own excellence and of all his
mercy unto us. We must thankfully own the receipt of all from him,
and give the praise of all to him. And our praise must be constant
and perpetual; it must be <i>glory for ever and ever.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p24">2. With salutations to his friends at
Philippi: "<i>Salute every saint in Christ Jesus</i> (<scripRef id="Phi.v-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.21" parsed="|Phil|4|21|0|0" passage="Php 4:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); give my hearty love to
all the Christians in your parts." He desires remembrances not only
to the bishops and deacons, and the church in general, but to every
particular saint. Paul had a kind affection to all good
Christians.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p25">3. He sends salutations from those who were
at Rome: "<i>The brethren who are with me salute you;</i> the
<i>ministers,</i> and all the saints here, send their affectionate
remembrances to you. <i>Chiefly those who are of Cæsar's
household;</i> the Christian converts who belonged to the emperor's
court." Observe, (1.) There were saints in Cæsar's household.
Though Paul was imprisoned at Rome, for preaching the gospel, by
the emperor's command, yet there were some Christians in his own
family. The gospel early obtained among some of the rich and great.
Perhaps the apostle fared the better, and received some favour, by
means of his friends at court. (2.) <i>Chiefly those,</i> &amp;c.
Observe, They, being bred at court, were more complaisant than the
rest. See what an ornament to religion sanctified civility is.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Phi.v-p26">4. The apostolical benediction, as usual:
"<i>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.</i>
The free favour and good will of Christ be your portion and
happiness."</p>
</div></div2>