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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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<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. III.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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He cautions them against judaizing seducers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>)
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and proposes his own example: and here he enumerates the privileges of
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his Jewish state which he rejected
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:4-8">ver. 4-8</A>),
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describes the matter of his own choice
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:9-16">ver. 9-16</A>),
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and closes with an exhortation to beware of wicked men, and to follow
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his example,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:17-21">ver. 17-21</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Php3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_3"> </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>Description of True Christians.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same
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things to you, to me indeed <I>is</I> not grievous, but for you <I>it
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is</I> safe.
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2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
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concision.
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3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
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and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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It seems the church of the Philippians, though a faithful and
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flourishing church, was disturbed by the judaizing teachers, who
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endeavoured to keep up the law of Moses, and mix the observances of it
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with the doctrine of Christ and his institutions. He begins the chapter
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with warnings against these seducers.</P>
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<P>
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I. He exhorts them to <I>rejoice in the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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to rest satisfied in the interest they had in him and the benefit they
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hoped for by him. It is the character and temper of sincere Christians
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to rejoice in Christ Jesus. The more we take of the comfort of our
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religion the more closely we shall cleave to it: the more we rejoice in
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Christ the more willing we shall be to do and suffer for him, and the
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less danger we shalt be in of being drawn away from him. The <I>joy of
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the Lord is our strength,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:10">Neh. viii. 10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. He cautions them to take heed of those false teachers: <I>To write
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the same thing to you to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is
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safe;</I> that is, the same things which I have already preached to
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you; as if he had said, "What has been presented to your ears shall be
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presented to your eyes: what I have spoken formerly shall now be
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written; to show that I am still of the same mind." <I>To me indeed is
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not grievous.</I> Observe,
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1. Ministers must not think any thing grievous to themselves which they
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have reason to believe is safe and edifying to the people.
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2. It is good for us often to hear the same truths, to revive the
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remembrance and strengthen the impression of things of importance. It
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is a wanton curiosity to desire always to hear some new thing. It is a
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needful caution he here gives: <I>Beware of dogs,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:10">Isa. lxvi. 10</A>),
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to which the apostle here seems to refer. <I>Dogs,</I> for their malice
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against the faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at
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them and biting them. They cried up good works in opposition to the
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faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil workers: they boasted
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themselves to be of the circumcision; but he calls them the concision:
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they rent and tore the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces; or
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contended for an abolished rite, a mere insignificant cutting of the
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flesh.</P>
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<P>
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III. He describes true Christians, who are indeed the circumcision, the
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spiritual circumcision, the peculiar of people of God, who are in
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covenant with him, as the Old-Testament Israelites were: <I>We are the
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circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
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Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.</I> Here are three
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characters:--
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1. They worshipped in the spirit, in opposition to the carnal
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ordinances of the Old-Testament, which consist in meats, and drinks,
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and divers washings, &c. Christianity takes us off from these things,
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and teaches us to be inward with God in all the duties of religious
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worship. We must <I>worship God in spirit,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:24">John iv. 24</A>.
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The work of religion is to no purpose any further than the heart is
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employed in it. <I>Whatsoever we do, we must do it heartily as unto
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the Lord;</I> and we must worship God in the strength and grace of the
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Divine Spirit, which is so peculiar to the gospel state, which is the
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<I>ministration of the spirit,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:8">2 Cor. iii. 8</A>.
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2. They <I>rejoice in Christ Jesus,</I> and not in the peculiar
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privileges of the Jewish church, or what answers to them in the
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Christian church--mere outward enjoyments and performances. They
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rejoice in their relation to Christ and interest in him. God made it
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the duty of the Israelites to rejoice before him in the courts of his
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house; but now that the substance has come the shadows are done away,
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and we are to rejoice in Christ Jesus only.
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3. They have no <I>confidence in the flesh,</I> in those carnal
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ordinances and outward performances. We must be taken off from trusting
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in our own bottom, that we may build only on Jesus Christ, the
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everlasting foundation. Our confidence, as well as our joy, is proper
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to him.</P>
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<A NAME="Php3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>False Confidence Renounced.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any
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other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the
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flesh, I more:
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5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, <I>of</I> the
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tribe of Benjamin, a hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law,
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a Pharisee;
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6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
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righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
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7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
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Christ.
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8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things <I>but</I> loss for the
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excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
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have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them <I>but</I>
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dung, that I may win Christ,
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle here proposes himself for an example of trusting in Christ
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only, and not in his privileges as an Israelite.</P>
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<P>
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I. He shows what he had to boast of as a Jew and a Pharisee. Let none
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think that the apostle despised these things (as men commonly do)
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because he had them not himself to glory in. No, if he would have
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gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause to do so as any
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man: <I>If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof to trust in the
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flesh, I more,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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He had as much to boast of as any Jew of them all.
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1. His birth-right privileges. He was not a proselyte, but a native
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Israelite: <I>of the stock of Israel.</I> And he was <I>of the tribe of
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Benjamin,</I> in which tribe the temple stood, and which adhered to
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Judah when all the other tribes revolted. Benjamin was the father's
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darling, and this was a favourite tribe. <I>A Hebrew of the
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Hebrews,</I> an Israelite on both sides, by father and mother, and from
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one generation to another; none of his ancestors had matched with
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Gentiles.
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2. He could boast of his relations to the church and the covenant, for
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he was <I>circumcised the eighth day;</I> he had the token of God's
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covenant in his flesh, and was circumcised the very day which God had
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appointed.
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3. For learning, he was a Pharisee, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel,
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an eminent doctor of the law: and was a scholar learned in all the
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learning of the Jews, taught according to the perfect manner of the
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laws of the fathers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:3">Acts xxii. 3</A>.
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He was a <I>Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+23:6">Acts xxiii. 6</A>),
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and <I>after the most strict sect of his religion lived a Pharisee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:5">Acts xxvi. 5</A>.
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4. He had a blameless conversation: <I>Toughing the righteousness which
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is of the law, blameless:</I> as far as the Pharisees' exposition of
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the law went, and as to the mere letter of the law and outward
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observance of it, he could acquit himself from the breach of it and
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could not be accused by any.
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5. He had been an active man for his religion. As he made a strict
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profession of it, under the title and character of a Pharisee, so he
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persecuted those whom he looked upon as enemies to it. <I>Concerning
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zeal, persecuting the church.</I>
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6. He showed that he was in good earnest, though he had a zeal without
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knowledge to direct and govern the exercise of it: <I>I was zealous
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towards God, as you all are this day, and I persecuted this way unto
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the death,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:3,4">Acts xxii. 3, 4</A>.
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All this was enough to have made a proud Jew confident, and was stock
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sufficient to set up with for his justification. But,</P>
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<P>
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II. The apostle tells us here how little account he made of these, in
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comparison of his interest in Christ and his expectations from him:
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<I>But what things were gain to me those have I counted loss for
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Christ</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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that is, those things which he had counted gain while he was a
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Pharisee, and which he had before reckoned up, <I>these he counted loss
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for Christ.</I> "I should have reckoned myself an unspeakable loser of,
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to adhere to them, I had lost my interest in Jesus Christ." He counted
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them loss; not only insufficient to enrich him, but what would
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certainly impoverish and ruin him, if he trusted to them, in opposition
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to Christ. Observe, The apostle did not persuade them to do any thing
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but what he had himself did, to quit any thing but what he had himself
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quitted, nor venture on any bottom but what he himself had ventured his
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immortal soul upon.--<I>Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss
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for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Here the apostle explains himself.
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1. He tells us what it was that he was ambitious of and reached after:
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it was the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord, a believing experimental
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acquaintance with Christ as Lord; not a merely notional and
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speculative, but a practical and efficacious knowledge of him. So
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knowledge is sometimes put for faith: <I>By his knowledge,</I> or the
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knowledge of him, <I>shall my righteous servant justify many,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:11">Isa. liii. 11</A>.
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And it is the excellency of knowledge. There is an abundant and
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transcendent excellency in the doctrine of Christ, or the Christian
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religion above all the knowledge of nature, and improvements of human
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wisdom; for it is suited to the case of fallen sinners, and furnishes
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them with all they need and all they can desire and hope for, with all
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saving wisdom and saving grace.
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2. He shows how he had quitted his privileges as a Jew and a Pharisee:
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<I>Yea doubtless;</I> his expression rises with a holy triumph and
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elevation, <B><I>alla men oun ge kai.</I></B> There are five particles
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in the original: <I>But indeed even also do I count all things but
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loss.</I> He had spoken before of <I>those things,</I> his Jewish
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privileges: here he speaks of <I>all things,</I> all worldly enjoyments
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and mere outward privileges whatsoever, things of a like kind or any
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other kind which could stand in competition with Christ for the throne
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in his heart, or pretend to merit and desert. There he had said that he
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did count them but loss; but it might be asked, "Did he continue still
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in the same mind, did he not repent his renouncing them?" No, now he
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speaks in the present tense: <I>Yea doubtless, I do count them but
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loss.</I> But it may be said, "It is easy to say so; but what would he
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do when he came to the trial?" Why he tells us that he had himself
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practised according to this estimate of the case: <I>For whom I have
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suffered the loss of all things.</I> He had quitted all his honours and
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advantages, as a Jew and a Pharisee, and submitted to all the disgrace
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and suffering which attended the profession and preaching of the
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gospel. When he embarked in the bottom of the Christian religion, he
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ventured all in it, and suffered the loss of all for the privileges of
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a Christian. Nay, he not only counted them loss, but dung,
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<B><I>skybala</I></B>--<I>offals</I> thrown to dogs; they are not only
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less valuable than Christ, but in the highest degree contemptible, when
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they come in competition with him. Note, The New Testament never
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speaks of saving grace in any terms of diminution, but on the contrary
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represents it as the fruits of the divine Spirit and the image of God
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in the soul of man; as a divine nature, and the seed of God: and faith
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is called precious faith; and meekness is in the <I>sight of God of
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great price,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:4,2Pe+1:1">1 Pet. iii. 4; 2 Pet. i. 1</A>,
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&c.</P>
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<A NAME="Php3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php3_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Concern, Hope, and Aim.</I></FONT></TD>
|
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
|
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which
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is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
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righteousness which is of God by faith:
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10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and
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the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his
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death;
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11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the
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dead.
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12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
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perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
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which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
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13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but <I>this</I>
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one thing <I>I do,</I> forgetting those things which are behind, and
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reaching forth unto those things which are before,
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14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
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God in Christ Jesus.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid
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hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. He had
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his heart on these two great peculiarities of the Christian
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religion.</P>
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<P>
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|
I. The apostle had his heart upon Christ as his righteousness. This is
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|
illustrated in several instances.
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1. He desired to win Christ; and an unspeakable gainer he would reckon
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himself if he had but an interest in Christ and his righteousness, and
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|
if Christ became his Lord and his Saviour: <I>That I may win him;</I>
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|
as the runner wins the prize, as the sailor makes the port he is bound
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for. The expression intimates that we have need to strive for him and
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after him, and that all is little enough to win him.
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2. That he <I>might be found in him</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
as the manslayer was found in the city of refuge, where he was safe
|
|
from the avenger of blood,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+35:25">Num. xxxv. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or it alludes to a judicial appearance; so we are to be found of our
|
|
Judge in peace,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:14">2 Pet. iii. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
We are undone without a righteousness wherein to appear before God, for
|
|
we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus
|
|
Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have
|
|
interest or benefit by it but those who come off from confidence in
|
|
themselves, and are brought heartily to believe in him. "<I>Not having
|
|
my own righteousness, which is of the law;</I> not thinking that my
|
|
outward observances and good deeds are able to atone for my bad ones,
|
|
or that by setting the one over against the other I can come to balance
|
|
accounts with God. No, the righteousness which I depend upon is that
|
|
<I>which is through the faith of Christ,</I> not a legal, but
|
|
evangelical righteousness: <I>The righteousness which is of God by
|
|
faith,</I> ordained and appointed of God." The Lord Jesus Christ is the
|
|
Lord our righteousness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:24,Jer+23:6">Isa. xlv. 24; Jer. xxiii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Had he not been God, he could not have been our righteousness; the
|
|
transcendent excellence of the divine nature put such a value upon, and
|
|
such a virtue into, his sufferings, that they became sufficient to
|
|
satisfy for the sins of the world, and to bring in a righteousness
|
|
which will be effectual to all that believe. Faith is the ordained
|
|
means of actual interest and saving benefit in all the purchase of his
|
|
blood. It is <I>by faith in his blood,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:25">Rom. iii. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. That he might know Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
|
|
fellowship of his sufferings.</I> Faith is called knowledge,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:11">Isa. liii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Knowing him here is believing in him: it is an experimental knowledge
|
|
of the <I>power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
|
|
sufferings,</I> or feeling the transforming efficacy and virtue of
|
|
them. Observe, The apostle was as ambitious of being sanctified as he
|
|
was of being justified. He was as desirous to know the power of
|
|
Christ's death and resurrection killing sin in him, and raising him up
|
|
to newness of life, as he was to receive the benefit of Christ's death
|
|
and resurrection in his justification.
|
|
|
|
4. That he might be conformable unto him, and this also is meant of
|
|
his sanctification. We are then made conformable to his death when we
|
|
die to sin, as Christ died for sin, when we are crucified with Christ,
|
|
the flesh and affections of it mortified, and the <I>world is crucified
|
|
to us,</I> and <I>we to the world, by virtue of the cross of
|
|
Christ.</I> This is our conformity to his death.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The apostle had his heart upon heaven as his happiness: <I>If by
|
|
any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The happiness of heaven is here called the resurrection of the dead,
|
|
because, though the souls of the faithful, when they depart, are
|
|
immediately with Christ, yet their happiness will not be complete till
|
|
the general resurrection of the dead at the last day, when soul and
|
|
body shall be glorified together. <B><I>Anastasis</I></B> sometimes
|
|
signifies the future state. This the apostle had his eye upon; this he
|
|
would attain. There will be a resurrection of the unjust, who shall
|
|
arise to <I>shame and everlasting contempt;</I> and our care must be to
|
|
escape that: but the joyful and glorious resurrection of saints is
|
|
called <I>the resurrection,</I> <B><I>kat exochen</I></B>--<I>by
|
|
eminence,</I> because it is in virtue of Christ's resurrection, as
|
|
their head and first-fruits; whereas the wicked shall rise only by the
|
|
power of Christ, as their judge. To the saints it will be indeed a
|
|
resurrection, a return to bliss, and life, and glory; while the
|
|
resurrection of the wicked is a rising from the grave, but a return to
|
|
a second death. It is called the <I>resurrection of the just,</I> and
|
|
the <I>resurrection of life</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:29">John v. 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they are <I>counted worthy to obtain that world and the
|
|
resurrection from the dead,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+20:35">Luke xx. 35</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. This joyful resurrection the apostle pressed towards. He was willing
|
|
to do any thing, or suffer any thing, that he might attain that
|
|
resurrection. The hope and prospect of it carried him with so much
|
|
courage and constancy through all the difficulties he met with in his
|
|
work. He speaks as if they were in danger of missing it, and coming
|
|
short of it. A holy fear of coming short is an excellent means of
|
|
perseverance. Observe, His care to be found in Christ was in order to
|
|
his attaining the resurrection of the dead. Paul himself did not hope
|
|
to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the
|
|
merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ. "Let me be found in Christ,
|
|
that I may attain the resurrection of the dead, be found a believer in
|
|
him, and interested in him by faith," Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He looks upon himself to be in a state of imperfection and trial:
|
|
<I>Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, The best men in the world will readily own their imperfection
|
|
in the present state. We have not yet attained, are not already
|
|
perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties, and graces, and
|
|
comforts. If Paul had not attained to perfection (who had reached to so
|
|
high a pitch of holiness), much less have we. Again, <I>Brethren, I
|
|
count not myself to have apprehended</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<B><I>ou logizomai.</I></B> "I make this judgment of the case; I thus
|
|
reason with myself." Observe, Those who think they have grace enough
|
|
give proof that they have little enough, or rather that they have none
|
|
at all; because, wherever there is true grace, there is a desire of
|
|
more grace, and a pressing towards the perfection of grace.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) What the apostle's actings were under this conviction. Considering
|
|
that he had not already attained, and had not apprehended, he pressed
|
|
forward: "<I>I follow after</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
<B><I>dioko</I></B>--<I>I pursue</I> with vigour, as one following
|
|
after the game. I endeavour to get more grace and do more good, and
|
|
never think I have done enough: <I>If that I may apprehend that for
|
|
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.</I>" Observe,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Whence our grace comes--from our being apprehended of Christ
|
|
Jesus. It is not our laying hold of Christ first, but his laying hold
|
|
of us, which is our happiness and salvation. <I>We love him because he
|
|
first loved us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+4:19">1 John iv. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not our keeping hold of Christ, but his keeping hold of us, is our
|
|
safety. We are <I>kept by his mighty power through faith unto
|
|
salvation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:5">1 Pet. i. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
[2.] What the happiness of heaven is: it is <I>to apprehend that for
|
|
which we are apprehended of Christ.</I> When Christ laid hold of us, it
|
|
was to bring us to heaven; and to apprehend that for which he
|
|
apprehended us is to attain the perfection of our bliss. He adds
|
|
further
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>This one thing I do</I> (this was his great care and concern),
|
|
<I>forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to
|
|
those things which are before.</I> There is a sinful forgetting of past
|
|
sins and past mercies, which ought to be remembered for the exercise of
|
|
constant repentance and thankfulness to God. But Paul forgot the things
|
|
which were behind so as not to be content with present measures of
|
|
grace: he was still for having more and more. So he <I>reaches
|
|
forth,</I> <B><I>epekteinomenos</I></B>--<I>stretched</I> himself
|
|
forward, bearing towards his point: it is expressive of a vehement
|
|
concern.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The apostle's aim in these actings: <I>I press towards the mark,
|
|
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
He pressed towards the mark. As he who runs a race never takes up short
|
|
of the end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those
|
|
who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in
|
|
holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations. The
|
|
fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven
|
|
is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian
|
|
has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he
|
|
designs to hit. <I>For the prize of the high calling.</I> Observe, A
|
|
Christian's calling is a high calling: it is from heaven, as its
|
|
original; and it is to heaven in its tendency. Heaven is the <I>prize
|
|
of the high calling;</I> <B><I>to brabeion</I></B>--<I>the prize</I> we
|
|
fight for, and run for, and wrestle for, what we aim at in all we do,
|
|
and what will reward all our pains. It is of great use in the Christian
|
|
course to keep our eye upon heaven. This is proper to give us measures
|
|
in all our service, and to quicken us every step we take; and it is of
|
|
God, from whom we are to expect it. <I>Eternal life is the gift of
|
|
God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+6:23">Rom. vi. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it
|
|
is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home
|
|
but by Christ as our way.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_16"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Warnings and Exhortations.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 62.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and
|
|
if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even
|
|
this unto you.
|
|
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk
|
|
by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the
|
|
Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in
|
|
blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and
|
|
set our hearts upon Christ and heaven, as he did.
|
|
|
|
1. He shows that this was the thing wherein all good Christians were
|
|
agreed, to make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another
|
|
world. This is that whereto we have all attained. However good
|
|
Christians may differ in their sentiments about other things, this is
|
|
what they are agreed in, that Christ is a Christian's all, that to win
|
|
Christ and to be found in him involve our happiness both here and
|
|
hereafter. And therefore let us walk by the same rule, and mind the
|
|
same thing. Having made Christ our all, <I>to us to live must be
|
|
Christ.</I> Let us agree to press towards the mark, and make heaven our
|
|
end.
|
|
|
|
2. That this is a good reason why Christians who differ in smaller
|
|
matters should yet bear with one another, because they are agreed in
|
|
the main matter: "<I>If in any thing you be otherwise minded</I>--if
|
|
you differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment as to
|
|
meats and days, and other matters of the Jewish law--yet you must not
|
|
judge one another, while you all meet now in Christ as your centre, and
|
|
hope to meet shortly in heaven as your home. As for other matters of
|
|
difference, lay no great stress upon them, <I>God shall reveal even
|
|
this unto you.</I> Whatever it is wherein you differ, you must wait
|
|
till God give you a better understanding, which he will do in his due
|
|
time. In the mean time, <I>as far as you have attained,</I> you must go
|
|
together in the ways of God, join together in all the great things in
|
|
which you are agreed, and wait for further light in the minor things
|
|
wherein you differ."</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php3_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle Urges His Own Example.</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>17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
|
|
walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
|
|
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell
|
|
you even weeping, <I>that they are</I> the enemies of the cross of
|
|
Christ:
|
|
19 Whose end <I>is</I> destruction, whose God <I>is their</I> belly, and
|
|
<I>whose</I> glory <I>is</I> in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
|
|
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
|
|
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
|
|
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
|
|
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he
|
|
is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
He closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and evil
|
|
teachers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping,
|
|
that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.</I> Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. There are many called by Christ's name who are enemies to Christ's
|
|
cross, and the design and intention of it. Their walk is a surer
|
|
evidence what they are than their profession. By <I>their fruits you
|
|
shall know them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:20">Matt. vii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The apostle warns people against such,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Very frequently: <I>I have told you often.</I> We so little heed
|
|
the warnings given us that we have need to have them repeated. <I>To
|
|
write the same things is safe,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Feelingly and affectionately: <I>I now tell you weeping.</I> Paul
|
|
was upon proper occasions a weeping preacher, as Jeremiah was a weeping
|
|
prophet. Observe, An old sermon may be preached with new affections;
|
|
what we say often we may say again, if we say it affectionately, and
|
|
are ourselves under the power of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He gives us the characters of those who were the enemies of the
|
|
cross of Christ.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Whose God is their belly. They minded nothing but their sensual
|
|
appetites. A wretched idol it is, and a scandal for any, but especially
|
|
for Christians, to sacrifice the favour of God, the peace of their
|
|
conscience, and their eternal happiness to it. Gluttons and drunkards
|
|
make a god of their belly, and all their care is to please it and make
|
|
provision for it. The same observance which good people give to God
|
|
epicures give to their appetites. Of such he says, <I>They serve not
|
|
the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:18">Rom. xvi. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They glory in their shame. They not only sinned, but boasted of it
|
|
and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed. Sin is
|
|
the sinner's shame, especially when it is gloried in. "They value
|
|
themselves for what is their blemish and reproach."
|
|
|
|
(3.) They mind earthly things. Christ came by his cross to <I>crucify
|
|
the world to us and us to the world;</I> and those who mind earthly
|
|
things act directly contrary to the cross of Christ, and this great
|
|
design of it. They relish earthly things, and have no relish of the
|
|
things which are spiritual and heavenly. They set their hearts and
|
|
affections on earthly things; they love them, and even dote upon them,
|
|
and have a confidence and complacency in them. He gives them this
|
|
character, to show how absurd it would be for Christians to follow the
|
|
example of such or be led away by them; and, to deter us all from so
|
|
doing, he reads their doom.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Whose end is destruction. Their way seems pleasant, but death and
|
|
hell are at the end of it. <I>What fruit had you then in those things
|
|
whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+6:21">Rom. vi. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is dangerous following them, though it is going down the stream;
|
|
for, if we choose their way, we have reason to fear their end. Perhaps
|
|
he alludes to the total destruction of the Jewish nation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He proposes himself and his brethren for an example, in opposition
|
|
to these evil examples: <I>Brethren, be followers together of me, and
|
|
mark those who walk as you have us for an example,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Mark them out for your pattern. He explains himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>)
|
|
|
|
by their regard to Christ and heaven: <I>For our conversation is in
|
|
heaven.</I> Observe, Good Christians, even while they are here on
|
|
earth, have their conversation in heaven. Their <I>citizenship</I> is
|
|
there, <B><I>politeuma.</I></B> As if he had said, We stand related the
|
|
that world, and are citizens of the New Jerusalem. This world is not
|
|
our home, but that is. There our greatest privileges and concerns lie.
|
|
And, because our citizenship is there, our conversation is there; being
|
|
related to that world, we keep up a correspondence with it. The life of
|
|
a Christian is in heaven, where his head is, and his home is, and where
|
|
he hopes to be shortly; he <I>sets his affections upon things
|
|
above;</I> and where his heart is there will his conversation be. The
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apostle had pressed them to follow him and other ministers of Christ:
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"Why," might they say, "you are a company of poor, despised, persecuted
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people, who make no figure, and pretend to no advantages in the world;
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who will follow you?" "Nay," says he, "but our conversation is in
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heaven. We have a near relation and a great pretension to the other
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world, and are not so mean and despicable as we are represented." It is
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good having fellowship with those who have fellowship with Christ, and
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conversation with those whose conversation is in heaven.</P>
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<P>
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1. Because we look for the Saviour from heaven
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
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<I>Whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.</I> He
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is not here, he has ascended, he has entered within the veil for us;
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and we expect his second coming thence, to gather in all the citizens
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of that New Jerusalem to himself.</P>
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<P>
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2. Because at the second coming of Christ we expect to be happy and
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glorified there. There is good reason to have our conversation in
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heaven, not only because Christ is now there, but because we hope to be
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there shortly: <I>Who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be
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fashioned like unto his glorious body,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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There is a glory reserved for the bodies of the saints, which they will
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be instated in at the resurrection. The body is now at the best a
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<I>vile body,</I> <B><I>to soma tes tapeinoseos hemon</I></B>--<I>the
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body of our humiliation:</I> it has its rise and origin from the earth,
|
|
it is supported out of the earth, and is subject to many diseases and
|
|
to death at last. Besides, it is often the occasion and instrument of
|
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much sin, which is called the <I>body of this death,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:24">Rom. vii. 24</A>.
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Or it may be understood of its vileness when it lies in the grave; at
|
|
the resurrection it will be found a vile body, resolved into rottenness
|
|
and dust; the <I>dust will return to the earth as it was,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+12:7">Eccl. xii. 7</A>.
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But it will be made a glorious body; and not only raised again to life,
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|
but raised to great advantage. Observe,
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(1.) The sample of this change, and that is, the glorious body of
|
|
Christ; when he was transfigured upon the mount, <I>his face did shine
|
|
as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light,</I>
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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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He went to heaven clothed with a body, that he might take possession of
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the inheritance in our nature, and be not only the <I>first-born from
|
|
the dead,</I> but the <I>first-born</I> of the <I>children of the
|
|
resurrection.</I> We shall be <I>conformed to the image of his Son,
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|
that he may be the first-born among many brethren,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:29">Rom. viii. 29</A>.
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(2.) The power by which this change will be wrought: <I>According to
|
|
the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto
|
|
himself.</I> There is an efficacy of power, an <I>exceeding greatness
|
|
of power,</I> and the <I>working of mighty power,</I>
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:19">Eph. i. 19</A>.
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It is matter of comfort to us that he can subdue all things to himself,
|
|
and sooner or later will bring over all into his interest. And the
|
|
resurrection will be wrought by this power. <I>I will raise him up at
|
|
the last day,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:44">John vi. 44</A>.
|
|
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|
Let this confirm our faith of the resurrection, that we not only have
|
|
the scriptures, which assure us it shall be, but we <I>know the power
|
|
of God,</I> which can effect it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:29">Matt. xxii. 29</A>.
|
|
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|
At Christ's resurrection was a glorious instance of the divine power,
|
|
and therefore <I>he is declared to be the Son of God with power, by the
|
|
resurrection from the dead</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:4">Rom. i. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
so will our resurrection be: and his resurrection is a standing
|
|
evidence, as well as pattern, of ours. And then all the enemies of the
|
|
Redeemer's kingdom will be completely conquered. Not only he <I>who had
|
|
the power of death,</I> that is, <I>the devil</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:14">Heb. ii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
but the <I>last enemy, shall be destroyed,</I> that is, <I>death,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:26">1 Cor. xv. 26</A>,
|
|
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|
<I>shall be swallowed up in victory,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:54"><I>v.</I> 54</A>.</P>
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