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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. II.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to several duties, to be
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like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he presses from the example of
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Christ
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:1-11">ver. 1-11</A>),
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to be diligent and serious in the Christian course
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:12,13">ver. 12, 13</A>),
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and to adorn their Christian profession by several suitable graces,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:14-18">ver. 14-18</A>.
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He then concludes with particular notice and commendation of two good
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ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom he designed to send to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:19-30">ver. 19-30</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Php2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php2_10"> </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>Brotherly Love Recommended; Glory and Condescension of Christ.</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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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 If <I>there be</I> therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
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comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
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and mercies,
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2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
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love, <I>being</I> of one accord, of one mind.
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3 <I>Let</I> nothing <I>be done</I> through strife or vainglory; but in
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lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
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4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on
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the things of others.
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5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
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6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
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equal with God:
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7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form
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of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
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8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and
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became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
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9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
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name which is above every name:
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10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of <I>things</I>
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in heaven, and <I>things</I> in earth, and <I>things</I> under the earth;
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11 And <I>that</I> every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
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<I>is</I> Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last,
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with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely
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to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example
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of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may
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observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one
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another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school,
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the livery of his family. This he represents
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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by being <I>like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
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one mind.</I> We are of a like mind when we have the same love.
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Christians should be one in affection, whether they can be one in
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apprehension or no. This is always in their power, and always their
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duty, and is the likeliest way to bring them nearer in judgment.
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<I>Having the same love.</I> Observe, The same love that we are
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required to express to others, others are bound to express to us.
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Christian love ought to be mutual love. Love, and you shall be loved.
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<I>Being of one accord, and of one mind;</I> not crossing and
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thwarting, or driving on separate interests, but unanimously agreeing
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in the great things of God and keeping the <I>unity of the Spirit</I>
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in other differences. Here observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. The pathetic pressing of the duty. He is very importunate with them,
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knowing what an evidence it is of our sincerity, and what a means of
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the preservation and edification of the body of Christ. The inducements
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to brotherly love are these:--
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(1.) "If there is any <I>consolation in Christ.</I> Have you
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experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that experience by loving
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one another." The sweetness we have found in the doctrine of Christ
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should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation in Christ? If we
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would not be disappointed, we must love one another. If we have not
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consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it? Those who have an
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interest in Christ have consolation in him, strong and everlasting
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consolation
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:18,2Th+2:16">Heb. vi. 18; 2 Thess. ii. 16</A>),
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and therefore ought to love one another.
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(2.) "<I>Comfort of love.</I> If there is any comfort in Christian
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love, in God's love to you, in your love to God, or in your brethren's
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love to us, in consideration of all this, be you like-minded. If you
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have ever found that comfort, if you would find it, if you indeed
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believe that the grace of love is a comfortable grace, abound in it."
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(3.) "<I>Fellowship of the Spirit.</I> If there is such a thing as
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communion with God and Christ by the Spirit, such a thing as the
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communion of saints, by virtue of their being animated and actuated by
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<I>one and the same Spirit,</I> be you like-minded; for Christian love
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and like-mindedness will preserve to us our communion with God and with
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one another."
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(4.) "<I>Any bowels and mercies,</I> in God and Christ, towards you. If
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you expect the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be you
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compassionate one to another. If there is such a thing as mercy to be
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found among the followers of Christ, if all who are sanctified have a
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disposition to holy pity, make it appear this way." How cogent are
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these arguments! One would think them enough to tame the most fierce,
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and mollify the hardest, heart.
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(5.) Another argument he insinuates is the comfort it would be to him:
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<I>Fulfil you my joy.</I> It is the joy of ministers to see people
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like-minded and living in love. He had been instrumental in bringing
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them to the grace of Christ and the love of God. "Now," says he, "if
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you have found any benefit by your participation of the gospel of
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Christ, if you have any comfort in it, or advantage by it, <I>fulfil
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the joy</I> of your poor minister, who preached the gospel to you."</P>
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<P>
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2. He proposes some means to promote it.
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(1.) <I>Do nothing through strife and vain glory,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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There is no greater enemy to Christian love than pride and passion. If
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we do things in contradiction to our brethren, this is doing them
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through strife; if we do them through ostentation of ourselves, this is
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doing them through vain-glory: both are destructive of Christian love
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and kindle unchristian heats. Christ came to slay all enmities;
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therefore let there not be among Christians a spirit of opposition.
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Christ came to humble us, and therefore let there not be among us a
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spirit of pride.
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(2.) We must <I>esteem others in lowliness of mind better than
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ourselves,</I> be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our
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judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and
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infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for
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the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is in others above
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that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own unworthiness and
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imperfections.
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(3.) We must interest ourselves in the concerns of others, not in a way
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of curiosity and censoriousness, or as <I>busy-bodies in other men's
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matters,</I> but in Christian love and sympathy: <I>Look not every man
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on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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A selfish spirit is destructive of Christian love. We must be concerned
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not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety, but for those of
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others also; and rejoice in the prosperity of others as truly as in our
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own. We must love our neighbour as ourselves, and make his case our
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own.</P>
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<P>
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II. Here is a gospel pattern proposed to our imitation, and that is the
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example of our Lord Jesus Christ: <I>Let this mind be in you which was
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also in Christ Jesus,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Observe, Christians must be of Christ's mind. We must bear a
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resemblance to his life, if we would have the benefit of his death.
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<I>If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:9">Rom. viii. 9</A>.
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Now what was the mind of Christ? He was eminently humble, and this is
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what we are peculiarly to learn of him. <I>Learn of me, for I am meek
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and lowly in heart,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:29">Matt. xi. 29</A>.
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If we were lowly-minded, we should be like-minded; and, if we were like
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Christ, we should be lowly-minded. We must walk in the same spirit and
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in the same steps with the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself to
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sufferings and death for us; not only to satisfy God's justice, and pay
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the price of our redemption, but to set us an example, and that we
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might <I>follow his steps.</I> Now here we have the two natures and the
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two states of our Lord Jesus. It is observable that the apostle, having
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occasion to mention the Lord Jesus, and the mind which was in him,
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takes the hint to enlarge upon his person, and to give a particular
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description of him. It is a pleasing subject, and a gospel minister
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needs not think himself out of the way when he is upon it; any fit
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occasion should be readily taken.</P>
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<P>
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1. Here are the two natures of Christ: his divine nature and his human
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nature.
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(1.) Here is his divine nature: <I>Who being in the form of God</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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partaking of the divine nature, as the eternal and only begotten Son of
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God. This agrees with
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:1">John i. 1</A>,
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<I>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God:</I> it is
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of the same import with being the <I>image of the invisible</I> God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+1:15">Col. i. 15</A>),
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and the <I>brightness of his glory, and express image of his
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person,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:3">Heb. i. 3</A>.
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<I>He thought it no robbery to be equal with God;</I> did not think
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himself guilty of any invasion of what did not belong to him, or
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assuming another's right. He said, <I>I and my Father are one,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:30">John x. 30</A>.
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It is the highest degree of robbery for any mere man or mere creature
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to pretend to be equal with God, or profess himself <I>one with the
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Father.</I> This is for a man to rob God, not in tithes and offerings,
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but of the rights of his Godhead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:8">Mal. iii. 8</A>.
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Some understand <I>being in the form of God</I>--<B><I>en morphe Theou
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hyparchon,</I></B> of his appearance in a divine majestic glory to the
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patriarchs, and the Jews, under the Old Testament, which was often
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called the <I>glory,</I> and the <I>Shechinah.</I> The word is used in
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such a sense by the LXX. and in the New Testament. <I>He appeared to
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the two disciples,</I> <B><I>en hetera morphe</I></B>--<I>In another
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form,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:12">Mark xvi. 12</A>.
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<B><I>Metemorphothe</I></B>--<I>he was transfigured</I> before them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:2">Matt. xvii. 2</A>.
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And <I>he thought it no robbery to be equal with God;</I> he did not
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greedily <I>catch at,</I> nor covet and affect to appear in that glory;
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he laid aside the majesty of his former appearance while he was here on
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earth, which is supposed to be the sense of the peculiar expression,
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<B><I>ouk harpagmon hegesato.</I></B> Vid. <I>Bishop Bull's Def.</I>
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cap. 2 sect. 4 et alibi, and <I>Whitby</I> in loc.
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(2.) His human nature: He was <I>made in the likeness of men,</I> and
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<I>found in fashion as a man.</I> He was really and truly man, <I>took
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part of our flesh and blood,</I> appeared in the nature and habit of
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man. And he voluntarily assumed human nature; it was his own act, and
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by his own consent. We cannot say that our participation of the human
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nature is so. Herein he <I>emptied himself,</I> divested himself of the
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honours and glories of the upper world, and of his former appearance,
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to clothe himself with the rags of human nature. <I>He was in all
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things like to us,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:17">Heb. ii. 17</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. Here are his two estates, of humiliation and exaltation.
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(1.) His estate of humiliation. He not only took upon him the likeness
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and fashion of a man, but the <I>form of a servant,</I> that is, a man
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of mean estate. He was not only God's servant whom he had chosen, but
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he came to minister to men, and was among them as one who serveth in a
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mean and servile state. One would think that the Lord Jesus, if he
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would be a man, should have been a prince, and appeared in splendour.
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But quite the contrary: <I>He took upon him the form of a servant.</I>
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He was brought up meanly, probably working with his supposed father at
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his trade. His whole life was a life of humiliation, meanness, poverty,
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and disgrace; he had nowhere to lay his head, lived upon alms, was a
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<I>man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,</I> did not appear with
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external pomp, or any marks of distinction from other men. This was the
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humiliation of his life. But the lowest step of his humiliation was his
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dying the death of the cross. <I>He became obedient to death, even the
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death of the cross.</I> He not only suffered, but was actually and
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voluntarily obedient; he obeyed the law which he brought himself under
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as Mediator, and by which he was obliged to die. <I>I have power to lay
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down my life, and I have power to take it again: this commandment have
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I received of my Father,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:18">John x. 18</A>.
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And he was <I>made under the law,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:4">Gal. iv. 4</A>.
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There is an emphasis laid upon the manner of his dying, which had in it
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all the circumstances possible which are humbling: <I>Even the death of
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the cross,</I> a cursed, painful, and shameful death,--a death accursed
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by the law (<I>Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree</I>)--full of pain,
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the body nailed through the nervous parts (the hands and feet) and
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hanging with all its weight upon the cross,--and the death of a
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malefactor and a slave, not of a free-man,--exposed as a public
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spectacle. Such was the condescension of the blessed Jesus.
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(2.) His exaltation: <I>Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him.</I>
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His exaltation was the reward of his humiliation. Because he humbled
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himself, God exalted him; and he <I>highly exalted him,</I>
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<B><I>hyperypsose,</I></B> raised him to an exceeding height. He
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exalted his whole person, the human nature as well as the divine; for
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he is spoken of as being in the form of God as well as in the fashion
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of man. As it respects the divine nature, it could only be the
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recognizing of his rights, or the display and appearance of the
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<I>glory he had with the Father before the world was</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:5">John xvii. 5</A>),
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not any new acquisition of glory; and so the Father himself is said to
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be exalted. But the proper exaltation was of his human nature, which
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alone seems to be capable of it, though in conjunction with the divine.
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His exaltation here is made to consist in honour and power. In honour;
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so <I>he had a name above every name,</I> a title of dignity above all
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the creatures, men and angels. And in power: <I>Every knee must bow to
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him.</I> The whole creation must be in subjection to him: <I>things in
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heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth,</I> the
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inhabitants of heaven and earth, the living and the dead. <I>At the
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|
name of Jesus;</I> not at the sound of the word, but the authority of
|
|
Jesus; all should pay a solemn homage. And that <I>every tongue should
|
|
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord</I>--every nation and language should
|
|
publicly own the universal empire of the exalted Redeemer, and that
|
|
<I>all power in heaven and earth is given to him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+28:18">Matt. xxviii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe the vast extent of the kingdom of Christ; it reaches to heaven
|
|
and earth, and to all the creatures in each, to angels as well as men,
|
|
and to the dead as well as the living.--<I>To the glory of God the
|
|
Father.</I> Observe, It is to the glory of God the Father to confess
|
|
that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will that <I>all men should
|
|
honour the Son as they honour the Father,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:23">John v. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whatever respect is paid to Christ redounds to the honour of the
|
|
Father. <I>He who receiveth me receiveth him who sent me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:40">Matt. x. 40</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_13"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Practical Religion.</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 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in
|
|
my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
|
|
own salvation with fear and trembling.
|
|
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
|
|
<I>his</I> good pleasure.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian
|
|
course: <I>Work out your own salvation.</I> It is the salvation of our
|
|
souls
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:9">1 Pet. i. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and our eternal salvation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:9">Heb. v. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and contains deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and
|
|
exposed us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is
|
|
necessary to our complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us
|
|
above all things to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes
|
|
of other things, let us take care of our best interests. It is our own
|
|
salvation, the salvation of our own souls. It is not for us to judge
|
|
other people; we have enough to do to look to ourselves; and, though we
|
|
must promote the common salvation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:3">
|
|
Jude 3</A>)
|
|
|
|
as much as we can, yet we must upon no account neglect our own. We are
|
|
required to <I>work out our salvation,</I> <B><I>katergazesthe.</I></B>
|
|
The word signifies <I>working thoroughly</I> at a thing, and taking
|
|
<I>true pains.</I> Observe, We must be diligent in the use of all the
|
|
means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our
|
|
salvation, by doing something now and then about it; but we must work
|
|
out our salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering
|
|
therein to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind, and
|
|
set our hearts upon; and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost
|
|
care and diligence. He adds, <I>With fear and trembling,</I> that is,
|
|
with great care and circumspection: "Trembling for fear lest you
|
|
miscarry and come short. Be careful to do every thing in religion in
|
|
the best manner, and fear lest under all your advantages you should so
|
|
much as <I>seem to come short,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:1">Heb. iv. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Fear is a great guard and preservative from evil.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He urges this from the consideration of their readiness always to
|
|
obey the gospel: "<I>As you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
|
|
only, but now much more in my absence,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
You have been always willing to comply with every discovery of the will
|
|
of God; and that in my absence as well as presence. You make it to
|
|
appear that regard to Christ, and care of your souls, sway more with
|
|
you than any mode of showing respect whatsoever." They were not merely
|
|
awed by the apostle's presence, but did it even <I>much more in his
|
|
absence.</I> "And because <I>it is God who worketh in you,</I> do you
|
|
work out your salvation. Work, for he worketh." It should encourage us
|
|
to do our utmost, because our <I>labour shall not be in vain.</I> God
|
|
is ready to concur with his grace, and assist our faithful endeavours.
|
|
Observe, Though we must use our utmost endeavours in working out our
|
|
salvation, yet still we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon
|
|
the grace of God. His grace works in us in a way suitable to our
|
|
natures, and in concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of
|
|
God's grace in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to
|
|
quicken and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation <I>with
|
|
fear and trembling,</I> for <I>he worketh in you.</I>" All our working
|
|
depends upon his working in us. "Do not trifle with God by neglects
|
|
and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your
|
|
endeavours prove in vain. Work with <I>fear,</I> for he works of his
|
|
<I>good pleasure."--To will and to do:</I> he gives the whole ability.
|
|
It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good:
|
|
and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our
|
|
principles. <I>Thou hast wrought all our works in us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12">Isa. xxvi. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Of his good pleasure.</I> As there is no strength in us, so there is
|
|
no merit in us. As we cannot act without God's grace, so we cannot
|
|
claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God's good will to us is the
|
|
cause of his good work in us; and he is under no engagements to his
|
|
creatures, but those of his gracious promise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Practical Religion.</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>14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
|
|
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
|
|
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
|
|
among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
|
|
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the
|
|
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in
|
|
vain.
|
|
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of
|
|
your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
|
|
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian
|
|
profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances.
|
|
|
|
1. By a cheerful obedience to the commands of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Do all things,</I> do your duty in every branch of it, <I>without
|
|
murmurings.</I> Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work,
|
|
and do not quarrel with it." God's commands were given to be obeyed,
|
|
not to be disputed. This greatly adorns our profession, and shows we
|
|
serve a good Master, whose service is freedom and whose work is its own
|
|
reward.
|
|
|
|
2. By peaceableness and love one to another. "Do all things <I>without
|
|
disputing,</I> wrangling, and debating one another; because the light
|
|
of truth and the life of religion are often lost in the heats and mists
|
|
of disputation."
|
|
|
|
3. By a blameless conversation towards all men
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
|
|
rebuke;</I> that you be not injurious to any in word or deed, and give
|
|
no just occasion of offence." We should endeavour not only to be
|
|
harmless, but to be blameless; not only not to do hurt, but not to come
|
|
under the just suspicion of it. <I>Blameless and sincere;</I> so some
|
|
read it. Blameless before men, sincere towards God. The <I>sons of
|
|
God.</I> It becomes those to be blameless and harmless who stand in
|
|
such a relation, and are favoured with such a privilege. The children
|
|
of God should differ from the sons of men. <I>Without
|
|
rebuke</I>--<B><I>amometa.</I></B> Momus was a carping deity among the
|
|
Greeks, mentioned by Hesiod and Lucian, who did nothing himself, and
|
|
found fault with every body and every thing. From him all carpers at
|
|
other men, and rigid censurers of their works, were called <I>Momi.</I>
|
|
The sense of the expression is, "Walk so circumspectly that Momus
|
|
himself may have no occasion to cavil at you, that the severest
|
|
censurer may find no fault with you." We should aim and endeavour, not
|
|
only to get to heaven, but to get thither without a blot; and, like
|
|
Demetrius, to <I>have a good report of all men, and of the truth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:12">3 John 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation;</I> that is,
|
|
among the heathens, and those who are without. Observe, Where there is
|
|
no true religion, little is to be expected but crookedness and
|
|
perverseness; and the more crooked and perverse others are among whom
|
|
we live, and the more apt to cavil, the more careful we should be to
|
|
keep ourselves blameless and harmless. Abraham and Lot must not
|
|
<I>strive, because the Canaanite and Perizzite dwelt in the land,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+13:7">Gen. xiii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Among whom you shine as lights in the world.</I> Christ is the light
|
|
of the world, and good Christians are lights in the world. When God
|
|
raises up a good man in any place, he sets up a light in that place. Or
|
|
it may be read imperatively: <I>Among whom shine you as lights:</I>
|
|
compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:16">Matt. v. 16</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Let your light so shine before men.</I> Christians should endeavour
|
|
not only to approve themselves to God, but to recommend themselves to
|
|
others, that they may also glorify God. They must shine as well as be
|
|
sincere.--<I>Holding forth the word of life,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The gospel is called the word of life because it reveals and proposes
|
|
to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. <I>Life and immortality are
|
|
brought to light by the gospel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:10">2 Tim. i. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is our duty not only to hold fast, but to hold forth the word of
|
|
life; not only to hold it fast for our own benefit, but to hold it
|
|
forth for the benefit of others, to hold it forth as the candlestick
|
|
holds forth the candle, which makes it appear to advantage all around,
|
|
or as the luminaries of the heavens, which shed their influence far and
|
|
wide. This Paul tells them would be his joy: "<I>That I may rejoice in
|
|
the day of Christ;</I> not only rejoice in your stedfastness, but in
|
|
your usefulness." He would have them think his pains well bestowed, and
|
|
that <I>he had not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The work of the ministry requires the putting forth of the whole
|
|
man: all that is within us is little enough to be employed in it; as in
|
|
running and labouring. Running denotes vehemence and vigour, and
|
|
continual pressing forward; labour denotes constancy and close
|
|
application.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is a great joy to ministers when they perceive that they have
|
|
not <I>run in vain, nor laboured in vain;</I> and it will be their
|
|
rejoicing in the day of Christ, when their converts will be their
|
|
crown. <I>What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even
|
|
you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For you
|
|
are our glory and joy,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:19,20">1 Thess. ii. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The apostle not only ran and laboured for them with satisfaction, but
|
|
shows that he was ready to suffer for their good
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your
|
|
faith, I joy and rejoice with you all.</I> He could reckon himself
|
|
happy if he could promote the honour of Christ, the edification of the
|
|
church, and the welfare of the souls of men; though it were not only by
|
|
hazarding, but by laying down, his life: he could willingly be a
|
|
sacrifice at their altars, to serve the faith of God's elect. Could
|
|
Paul think it worth while to shed his blood for the service of the
|
|
church, and shall we think it much to take a little pains? Is not that
|
|
worth our labour which he thought worth his life? <I>If I be
|
|
offered,</I> or <I>poured</I> out as the wine of the
|
|
<I>drink-offerings,</I> <B><I>spendomai.</I></B>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:6">2 Tim. iv. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I am now ready to be offered.</I> He could rejoice to seal his
|
|
doctrine with his blood
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>For the same cause also do you joy and rejoice with me.</I> It is
|
|
the will of God that good Christians should be much in rejoicing; and
|
|
those who are happy in good ministers have a great deal of reason to
|
|
joy and rejoice with them. If the minister loves the people, and is
|
|
willing to spend and be spent for their welfare, the people have reason
|
|
to love the minister and to <I>joy and rejoice with him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php2_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Praise of Timothy and Epaphroditus.</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> 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto
|
|
you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
|
|
20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for
|
|
your state.
|
|
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus
|
|
Christ's.
|
|
22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the
|
|
father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
|
|
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall
|
|
see how it will go with me.
|
|
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come
|
|
shortly.
|
|
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my
|
|
brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your
|
|
messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
|
|
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness,
|
|
because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
|
|
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on
|
|
him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have
|
|
sorrow upon sorrow.
|
|
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see
|
|
him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
|
|
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
|
|
hold such in reputation:
|
|
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not
|
|
regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was
|
|
himself a great apostle, and <I>laboured more abundantly than they
|
|
all,</I> yet he took all occasions to speak with respect of those who
|
|
were far his inferiors.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He speaks of Timothy, whom he intended to send to the Philippians,
|
|
that he might have an account of their state. See Paul's care of the
|
|
churches, and the comfort he had in their well-doing. He was in pain
|
|
when he had not heard of them for a good while, and therefore would
|
|
send Timothy to enquire, and bring him an account: <I>For I have no man
|
|
like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.</I> Timothy was a
|
|
non-such. There were, no doubt, many good ministers, who were in care
|
|
for the souls of those for whom they preached; but none comparable to
|
|
Timothy, a man of an excellent spirit and tender heart. <I>Who will
|
|
naturally care for your state.</I> Observe, It is best with us when our
|
|
duty becomes in a manner natural to us. Timothy was a genuine son of
|
|
blessed Paul, and walked in the same spirit and the same steps.
|
|
<I>Naturally,</I> that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only: with a
|
|
willing heart and upright view, so agreeably to the make of his mind.
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is the duty of ministers to care for the state of their people
|
|
and be concerned for their welfare: <I>I seek not yours, but you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+12:14">2 Cor. xii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. It is a rare thing to find one who does it naturally: such a one is
|
|
remarkable and distinguished among his brethren. <I>All seek their own,
|
|
not the things which are Jesus Christ's,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Did Paul say this in haste, as David said, <I>All men are liars?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+116:11">Ps. cxvi. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Was there so general a corruption among ministers so early that there
|
|
was not one among them who cared for the state of their people? We must
|
|
not understand it so: he means the generality; <I>all,</I> that is,
|
|
either the most, or all in comparison of Timothy. Note, Seeking our
|
|
own interest to the neglect of Jesus Christ is a very great sin, and
|
|
very common among Christians and ministers. Many prefer their own
|
|
credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty, the things
|
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of their own pleasure and reputation before the things of Christ's
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kingdom and his honour and interest in the world: but Timothy was none
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of these.--<I>You know the proof of him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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Timothy was a man who had been tried, and had made <I>full proof of his
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ministry</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:5">2 Tim. iv. 5</A>),
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and was faithful in all that befel him. All the churches with whom he
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|
had acquaintance knew the proof of him. He was a man as good as he
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|
seemed to be; and <I>served Christ so as to be acceptable to God,</I>
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|
and <I>approved of men,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:18">Rom. xiv. 18</A>.
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|
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"You not only know the name of him, and the face of him, but the proof
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|
of him, and have experienced his affection and fidelity in your
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|
service," <I>that, as a son with a father, he hath served with me in
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|
the gospel.</I> He was Paul's assistant in many places where he
|
|
preached, and served with him in the gospel with all the dutiful
|
|
respect which a child pays to a father, and with all the love and
|
|
cheerfulness with which a child is serviceable to his father. Their
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|
ministrations together were with great respect on the one side and
|
|
great tenderness and kindness on the other--an admirable example to
|
|
elder and younger ministers united in the same service. Paul designed
|
|
to send him shortly: <I>Him therefore I hope to send presently, as soon
|
|
as I shall see how it will go with me,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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|
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|
He was now a prisoner, and did not know what would be the issue; but,
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|
according as it turned, he would dispose of Timothy. Nay, he hoped to
|
|
come himself
|
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
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|
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<I>But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.</I>
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He hoped he should soon be set at liberty, and be able to pay them a
|
|
visit. Paul desired his liberty, not that he might take his pleasure,
|
|
but that he might do good.--<I>I trust in the Lord.</I> He expresses
|
|
his hope and confidence of seeing them, with a humble dependence and
|
|
submission to the divine will. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:21,1Co+4:19,Jam+4:15,Heb+6:3">Acts xviii. 21;
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|
1 Cor. iv. 19; James iv. 15; and Heb. vi. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
|
|
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|
II. Concerning Epaphroditus, whom he calls <I>his brother, and
|
|
companion in labour, and fellow-soldier,</I> his Christian brother, to
|
|
whom he bore a tender affection,--his companion in the work and
|
|
sufferings of the gospel, who submitted to the same labours and
|
|
hardships with himself,--and their messenger, one who was sent by them
|
|
to him, probably to consult him about some affairs relating to their
|
|
church, or to bring a present from them for his relief for he adds, and
|
|
<I>who ministered to my wants.</I> He seems to be the same who is
|
|
called <I>Epaphras,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+4:12">Col. iv. 12</A>.
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|
|
|
He had an earnest desire to come to them, and Paul was willing he
|
|
should. It seems,
|
|
|
|
1. Epaphroditus had been sick: <I>They had heard that he had been
|
|
sick,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
And <I>indeed he was sick, nigh unto death,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Sickness is a calamity common to men, to good men and ministers. But
|
|
why did not the apostle heal him, who was endued with a power of curing
|
|
diseases, as well as raising the dead?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:10">Acts xx. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably because that was intended as a sign to others, and to confirm
|
|
the truth of the gospel, and therefore needed not be exercised one
|
|
towards another. <I>These signs shall follow those who believe, they
|
|
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:17,18">Mark xvi. 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
And perhaps they had not that power at all times, and at their own
|
|
discretion, but only when some great end was to be served by it, and
|
|
when God saw fit. It was proper to Christ, who had <I>the Spirit above
|
|
measure.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. The Philippians were exceedingly sorry to hear of his sickness. They
|
|
were full of heaviness, as well as he, upon the tidings of it: for he
|
|
was one, it seems, for whom they had a particular respect and
|
|
affection, and thought fit to choose out to send to the apostle.
|
|
|
|
3. It pleased God to recover and spare him: <I>But God had mercy on
|
|
him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
The apostle owns it is a great mercy to himself, as well as to
|
|
Epaphroditus and others. Though the church was blessed at that time
|
|
with extraordinary gifts, they could even then ill spare a good
|
|
minister. He was sensibly touched with the thoughts of so great a loss:
|
|
<I>Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow;</I> that is, "Lest, besides
|
|
the sorrow of my own imprisonment, I should have the sorrow of his
|
|
death." Or perhaps some other good ministers had died lately, which had
|
|
been a great affliction to him: and, if this had died now, it would
|
|
have been a fresh grief to him, and <I>sorrow added to sorrow.</I>
|
|
|
|
4. Epaphroditus was willing to pay a visit to the Philippians, that he
|
|
might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was
|
|
sick: "<I>That when you see him again you may rejoice</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
that you may yourselves see how well he has recovered, and what reason
|
|
you have for the thankfulness and joy upon his account." He gave
|
|
himself the pleasure of comforting them by the sight of so dear a
|
|
friend.
|
|
|
|
5. Paul recommends him to their esteem and affection: "<I>Receive him
|
|
therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in
|
|
reputation:</I> account such men valuable, who are zealous and
|
|
faithful, and let them be highly loved and regarded. Show your joy and
|
|
respect by all the expressions of hearty affection and good opinion."
|
|
It seems he had caught his illness in the work of God: <I>It was for
|
|
the work of Christ that he was nigh to death, and to supply their lack
|
|
of service to him.</I> The apostle does not blame him for his
|
|
indiscretion in hazarding his life, but reckons they ought to love him
|
|
the more upon that account. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Those who truly love Christ, and are hearty in the interests of
|
|
his kingdom, will think it very well worth their while to hazard their
|
|
health and life to do him service, and promote the edification of his
|
|
church.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They were to receive him with joy, as newly recovered from
|
|
sickness. It is an endearing consideration to have our mercies restored
|
|
to us after danger of removal, and should make them the more valued and
|
|
improved. What is given us in answer to prayer should be received with
|
|
great thankfulness and joy.</P>
|
|
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|
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