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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Philippians IV].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC50003.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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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. IV.</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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Exhortations to several Christian duties, as stedfastness, unanimity,
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joy, &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>.
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The apostle's grateful acknowledgments of the Philippians' kindness to
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him, with expressions of his own content, and desire of their good,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:10-19">ver. 10-19</A>.
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He concludes the epistle with praise, salutations, and blessing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:20-23">ver. 20-23</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Various Exhortations.</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 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy
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and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, <I>my</I> dearly beloved.
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2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the
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same mind in the Lord.
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3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
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which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and
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<I>with</I> other my fellowlabourers, whose names <I>are</I> in the book of
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life.
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4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: <I>and</I> again I say, Rejoice.
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5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord <I>is</I> at
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hand.
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6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
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supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
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unto God.
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7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
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keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
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things <I>are</I> honest, whatsoever things <I>are</I> just, whatsoever
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things <I>are</I> pure, whatsoever things <I>are</I> lovely, whatsoever
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things <I>are</I> of good report; if <I>there be</I> any virtue, and if
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<I>there be</I> any praise, think on these things.
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9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and
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heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with
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you.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle begins the chapter with exhortations to divers Christian
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duties.</P>
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<P>
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I. To stedfastness in our Christian profession,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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It is inferred from the close of the foregoing chapter: <I>Therefore
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stand fast,</I> &c. Seeing our <I>conversation is in heaven,</I> and we
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look for the Saviour to come thence and fetch us thither, <I>therefore
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let us stand fast.</I> Note, The believing hope and prospect of eternal
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life should engage us to be steady, even, and constant, in our
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Christian course. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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1. The compellations are very endearing: <I>My brethren, dearly beloved
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and longed for, my joy and crown;</I> and again, <I>My dearly
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beloved.</I> Thus he expresses the pleasure he took in them, the
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kindness he had for them, to convey his exhortations to them with so
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much the greater advantage. He looked upon them as his brethren, though
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he was a great apostle. <I>All we are brethren.</I> There is difference
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of gifts, graces, and attainments, yet, being renewed by the same
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Spirit, after the same image, we are brethren; as the children of the
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same parents, though of different ages, statures, and complexions.
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Being brethren,
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(1.) He loved them, and loved them dearly: <I>Dearly beloved;</I> and
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again, <I>My dearly beloved.</I> Warm affections become ministers and
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Christians towards one another. Brotherly love must always go along
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with brotherly relation.
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(2.) He loved them and longed for them, longed to see them and hear
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from them, longed for their welfare and was earnestly desirous of it.
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<I>I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:8"><I>ch.</I> i. 8</A>.
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(3.) He loved them and rejoiced in them. They were his joy; he had no
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greater joy than to hear of their spiritual health and prosperity. <I>I
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rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in the truth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:4,3Jo+1:4">
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2 John 4; 3 John 4</A>.
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(4.) he loved them and gloried in them. They were his crown as well as
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his joy. Never was proud ambitious man more pleased with the ensigns of
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honour than Paul was with the evidences of the sincerity of their faith
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and obedience. All this is to prepare his way to greater regard.</P>
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<P>
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2. The exhortation itself: <I>So stand fast in the Lord.</I> Being in
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Christ, they must stand fast in him, be even and steady in their walk
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with him, and close and constant unto the end. Or, To <I>stand fast in
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the Lord</I> is to stand fast in his strength and by his grace; not
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trusting in ourselves, and disclaiming any sufficiency of our own. We
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must be <I>strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:10">Eph. vi. 10</A>.
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"So stand fast, so as you have done hitherto, stand fast unto the end,
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so as you are by beloved, and my joy and crown; so stand fast as those
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in whose welfare and perseverance I am so nearly interested and
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concerned."</P>
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<P>
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II. He exhorts them to unanimity and mutual assistance
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>):
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<I>I beseech Euodias and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the
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Lord.</I> This is directed to some particular persons. Sometimes there
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is need of applying the general precepts of the gospel to particular
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persons and cases. Euodias and Syntyche, it seems, were at variance,
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either one with the other or with the church; either upon a civil
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account (it may be they were engaged in a law-suit) or upon a religious
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account--it may be they were of different opinions and sentiments.
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"Pray," says he, "desire them from me to be of the same mind in the
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Lord, to keep the peace and live in love, to be of the same mind one
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with another, not thwarting and contradicting, and to be of the same
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mind with the rest of the church, not acting in opposition to them."
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Then he exhorts to mutual assistance
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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and this exhortation he directs to particular persons: <I>I entreat
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thee also, true yoke-fellow.</I> Who this person was whom he calls true
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yoke-fellow is uncertain. Some think Epaphroditus, who is supposed to
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have been one of the pastors of the church of the Philippians. Others
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think it was some eminently good woman, perhaps Paul's wife, because he
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exhorts his yoke-fellow to <I>help the women who laboured with him.</I>
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Whoever was the yoke-fellow with the apostle must be a yoke-fellow too
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with his friends. It seems, there were women who laboured with Paul in
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the gospel; not in the public ministry (for the apostle expressly
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forbids that,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+2:12">1 Tim. ii. 12</A>,
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<I>I suffer not a woman to teach</I>), but by entertaining the
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ministers, visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, convincing the
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erroneous. Thus women may be helpful to ministers in the work of the
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gospel. Now, says the apostle, <I>do thou help them.</I> Those who help
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others should be helped themselves when there is occasion. "<I>Help
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them,</I> that is, join with them, strengthen their hands, encourage
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them in their difficulties."--<I>With Clement also, and other my
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fellow-labourers.</I> Paul had a kindness for all his fellow-labourers;
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and, as he had found the benefit of their assistance, he concluded how
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comfortable it would be to them to have the assistance of others. Of
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his fellow-labourers he says, <I>Whose names are in the book of
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life;</I> either they were chosen of God from all eternity, or
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registered and enrolled in the corporation and society to which the
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privilege of eternal life belongs, alluding to the custom among the
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Jews and Gentiles of registering the inhabitants or the freemen of the
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city. So we read of their <I>names being written in heaven</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:20">Luke x. 20</A>),
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<I>not blotting his name out of the book of life</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:5">Rev. iii. 5</A>),
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and of <I>those who are written in the Lamb's book of life,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:27">Rev. xxi. 27</A>.
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Observe, There is a book of life; there are names in that book and not
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characters and conditions only. We cannot search into that book, or
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know whose names are written there; but we may, in a judgment of
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charity, conclude that those who labour in the gospel, and are faithful
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to the interest of Christ and souls, have their names in the book of
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life.</P>
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<P>
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III. He exhorts to holy joy and delight in God: <I>Rejoice in the Lord
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always, and again I say, Rejoice,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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All our joy must terminate in God; and our thoughts of God must be
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delightful thoughts. <I>Delight thyself in the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:4">Ps. xxxvii. 4</A>),
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<I>in the multitude of our thoughts within us</I> (grievous and
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afflicting thoughts) <I>his comforts delight our souls</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+94:19">Ps. xciv. 19</A>),
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and our <I>meditation of him is sweet,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:34">Ps. civ. 34</A>.
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Observe, It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice
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in him always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for
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him, or are afflicted by him. We must not think the worse of him or of
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his ways for the hardships we meet with in his service. There is enough
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in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on
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earth. He had said it before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:1"><I>ch.</I> iii. 1</A>):
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<I>Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.</I> Here he says it
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again, <I>Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice.</I> Joy
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in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and
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Christians need to be again and again called to it. If good men have
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not a continual feast, it is their own fault.</P>
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<P>
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IV. We are here exhorted to candour and gentleness, and good temper
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towards our brethren: "<I>Let your moderation be known to all men,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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In things indifferent do not run into extremes; avoid bigotry and
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animosity; judge charitably concerning one another." The word <B><I>to
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epieikes</I></B> signifies a good disposition towards other men; and
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this moderation is explained,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+14:1-23">Rom. xiv</A>.
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Some understand it of the patient bearing of afflictions, or the sober
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enjoyment of worldly good; and so it well agrees with the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:6">following verse</A>.
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The reason is, <I>the Lord is at hand.</I> The consideration of our
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Master's approach, and our final account, should keep us from smiting
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our fellow-servants, support us under present sufferings, and moderate
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our affections to outward good. "He will take vengeance on your
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enemies, and reward your patience."</P>
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<P>
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V. Here is a caution against disquieting perplexing care
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>Be careful for nothing</I>--<B><I>meden merimnate</I></B>: the same
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expression with that
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:25">Matt. vi. 25</A>,
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<I>Take no thought for your life;</I> that is, avoid anxious care and
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distracting thought in the wants and difficulties of life. Observe, It
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is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care. There is a
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care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast
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and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which
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is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind.
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"<I>Be careful for nothing,</I> so as by your care to distrust God, and
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unfit yourselves for his service."</P>
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<P>
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VI. As a sovereign antidote against perplexing care he recommends to us
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constant prayer: <I>In every thing by prayer and supplication, with
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thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.</I> Observe,
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1. We must not only keep up stated times for prayer, but we must pray
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upon every particular emergency: <I>In every thing by prayer.</I> When
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any thing burdens our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when
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our affairs are perplexed or distressed, we must seek direction and
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support.
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2. We must join thanksgiving with our prayers and supplications. We
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must not only seek supplies of good, but own receipts of mercy.
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Grateful acknowledgments of what we have argue a right disposition of
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mind, and are prevailing motives for further blessings.
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3. Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, or making them
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known to him: <I>Let your requests be made known to God.</I> Not that
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God needs to be told either our wants or desires; for he knows them
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better than we can tell him: but he will know them from us, and have us
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show our regards and concern, express our value of the mercy and sense
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of our dependence on him.
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4. The effect of this will be the <I>peace of God keeping our
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hearts,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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The <I>peace of God,</I> that is, the comfortable sense of our
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reconciliation to God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the
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heavenly blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, <I>which passeth
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all understanding,</I> is a great good than can be sufficiently valued
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or duly expressed. <I>It has not entered into the heart of ham,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:9">1 Cor. ii. 9</A>.
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This peace will <I>keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus;</I>
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it will keep us from sinning under our troubles, and from sinking under
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them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passion, and
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with inward satisfaction. <I>Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose
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mind is stayed on thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:3">Isa. xxvi. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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VII. We are exhorted to get and keep a good name, a name for good
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things with God and good men: <I>Whatsoever things are true and
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honest</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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a regard to truth in our words and engagements, and to decency and
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becomingness in our behaviour, suitable to our circumstances and
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condition of life. Whatsoever things are <I>just and
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pure,</I>--agreeable to the rules of justice and righteousness in all
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our dealings with men, and without the impurity or mixture of sin.
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Whatsoever things are <I>lovely and of good report,</I> that is,
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amiable; that will render us beloved, and make us well spoken of, as
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well as well thought of, by others. <I>If there is any virtue, if there
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is any praise</I>--any thing really virtuous of any kind and worthy of
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commendation. Observe,
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1. The apostle would have the Christians learn any thing which was good
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of their heathen neighbours: "<I>If there be any virtue, think of these
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things</I>--imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let
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not them outdo you in any instance of goodness." We should not be
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ashamed to learn any good thing of bad men, or those who have not our
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advantages.
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2. Virtue has its praise, and will have. We should walk in all the ways
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of virtue, and abide therein; and then, whether our praise be of men or
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no, it will be of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:29">Rom. ii. 29</A>.</P>
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<P>
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In these things he proposes himself to them for an example
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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<I>Those things which you have learned, and received, and heard and
|
|
seen in me, do.</I> Observe, Paul's doctrine and life were of a piece.
|
|
What they saw in him was the same thing with what they heard from him.
|
|
He could propose himself as well as his doctrine to their imitation. It
|
|
gives a great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what
|
|
they have seen in us. And this is the way to have the <I>God of peace
|
|
with us</I>--to keep close to our duty to him. The <I>Lord is with us
|
|
while we are with him.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Php4_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Php4_19"> </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>Kindness Acknowledged; Christian Contentment.</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>10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last
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your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
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|
careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
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11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
|
|
whatsoever state I am, <I>therewith</I> to be content.
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|
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
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|
every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and
|
|
to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
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13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
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14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate
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|
with my affliction.
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15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the
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gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated
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|
with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
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16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my
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necessity.
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17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may
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abound to your account.
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18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
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Epaphroditus the things <I>which were sent</I> from you, an odour of a
|
|
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
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19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his
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|
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses we have the thankful grateful acknowledgment which the
|
|
apostle makes of the kindness of the Philippians in sending him a
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present for his support, now that he was a prisoner at Rome. And
|
|
here,</P>
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<P>
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I. He takes occasion to acknowledge their former kindnesses to him, and
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|
to make mention of them,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:15,16"><I>v.</I> 15, 16</A>.
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Paul had a grateful spirit; for, though what his friends did for him
|
|
was nothing in comparison of what he deserved from them and the
|
|
obligations he had laid upon them, yet he speaks of their kindness as
|
|
if it had been a piece of generous charity, when it was really far
|
|
short of a just debt. If they had each of them contributed half their
|
|
estates to him, they had not given him too much, since they <I>owed to
|
|
him even their own souls;</I> and yet, when they send a small present
|
|
to him, how kindly does he take it, how thankfully does he mention it,
|
|
even in this epistle which was to be left upon record, and read in the
|
|
churches, through all ages; so that wherever this epistle shall be read
|
|
there shall this which they did to Paul be told for a memorial of them.
|
|
Surely never was present so well repaid. He reminds them that <I>in
|
|
the beginning of the gospel no church communicated with him as to
|
|
giving and receiving but they only,</I>
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|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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|
|
They not only maintained him comfortably while he was with them, but
|
|
when <I>he departed from Macedonia</I> they sent tokens of their
|
|
kindness after him; and this when no other church did so. None besides
|
|
sent after him of their carnal things, in consideration of what they
|
|
had reaped of his spiritual things. In works of charity, we are ready
|
|
to ask what other people do. But the church of the Philippians never
|
|
considered that. It redounded so much the more to their honour that
|
|
they were the only church who were thus just and generous. <I>Even in
|
|
Thessalonica</I> (after he had departed from Macedonia) <I>you sent
|
|
once and again to my necessity,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. It was but little which they sent; they sent only to his necessity,
|
|
just such things as he had need of; perhaps it was according to their
|
|
ability, and he did not desire superfluities nor dainties.
|
|
|
|
2. It is an excellent thing to see those to whom God has abounded in
|
|
the gifts of his grace abounding in grateful returns to his people and
|
|
ministers, according to their own ability and their necessity: <I>You
|
|
sent once and again.</I> Many people make it an excuse for their
|
|
charity that they have given once; why should the charge come upon them
|
|
again? But the Philippians sent once and again; they often relieved and
|
|
refreshed him in his necessities. He makes this mention of their former
|
|
kindness, not only out of gratitude, but for their encouragement.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He excuses their neglect of late. It seems, for some time they had
|
|
not sent to enquire after him, or sent him any present; but <I>now at
|
|
the last their care of him flourished again</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
like a tree in the spring, which seemed all the winter to be quite
|
|
dead. Now, in conformity to the example of his great Master, instead of
|
|
upbraiding them for their neglect, he makes an excuse for them:
|
|
<I>Wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity.</I> How
|
|
could they lack opportunity, if they had been resolved upon it? They
|
|
might have sent a messenger on purpose. But the apostle is willing to
|
|
suppose, in favour of them, that they would have done it if a fair
|
|
opportunity had offered. How contrary is this to the behaviour of many
|
|
to their friends, by whom neglects which really are excusable are
|
|
resented very heinously, when Paul excused that which he had reason
|
|
enough to resent.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He commends their present liberality: <I>Notwithstanding, you have
|
|
well done that you did communicate with my affliction,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. Here
|
|
see what is the nature of true Christian sympathy; not only to be
|
|
concerned for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to
|
|
help them. They <I>communicated with his affliction,</I> in relieving
|
|
him under it. He who says, <I>Be you warmed, be you filled, and giveth
|
|
not those things they have need of, what doth it profit?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:16">Jam. ii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
He rejoiced greatly in it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
because it was an evidence of their affection to him and the success of
|
|
his ministry among them. When the fruit of their charity abounded
|
|
towards the apostle, it appeared that the fruit of his ministry
|
|
abounded among them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. He takes care to obviate the bad use some might make of his taking
|
|
so much notice of what was sent him. It did not proceed either from
|
|
discontent and distrust
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
or from covetousness and love of the world,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. It did not come from discontent, or distrust of Providence: <I>Not
|
|
that I speak in respect of want</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
not in respect of any want he felt, nor of any want he feared. As to
|
|
the former, he was content with the little he had, and that satisfied
|
|
him; as to the latter, he depended upon the providence of God to
|
|
provide for him from day to day, and that satisfied him: so that he did
|
|
not speak in respect of want any way. <I>For I have learned, in
|
|
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.</I> We have here an
|
|
account of Paul's learning, not that which he got at the feet of
|
|
Gamaliel, but that which he got at the feet of Christ. He had learnt to
|
|
be content; and that was the lesson he had as much need to learn as
|
|
most men, considering the hardships and sufferings with which he was
|
|
exercised. He was in bonds, and imprisonments, and necessities, often;
|
|
but in all he had learnt to be content, that is, to bring his mind to
|
|
his condition, and make the best of it.--<I>I know both how to be
|
|
abased and I know how to abound,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a special act of grace, to accommodate ourselves to every
|
|
condition of life, and carry an equal temper of mind through all the
|
|
varieties of our state.
|
|
|
|
(1.) To accommodate ourselves to an afflicted condition--to know how to
|
|
be abased, how to be hungry, how to suffer want, so as not to be
|
|
overcome by the temptations of it, either to lose our comfort in God or
|
|
distrust his providence, or to take any indirect course for our own
|
|
supply.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To a prosperous condition--to know how to abound, how to be full,
|
|
so as not to be proud, or secure, or luxurious. And this is as hard a
|
|
lesson as the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are
|
|
not less than those of affliction and want. But how must we learn it?
|
|
<I>I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
We have need of strength from Christ, to enable us to perform not only
|
|
those duties which are purely Christian, but even those which are the
|
|
fruit of moral virtue. We need his strength to teach us to be content
|
|
in every condition. The apostle had seemed to boast of himself, and of
|
|
his own strength: <I>I know how to be abased</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
|
|
|
but here he transfers all the praise to Christ. "What do I talk of
|
|
<I>knowing how to be abased, and how to abound?</I> It is only
|
|
<I>through Christ who strengthens me</I> that I can do it, not in my
|
|
own strength." So we are required to be <I>strong in the Lord, and in
|
|
the power of his might</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:10">Eph. vi. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
and to be <I>strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:1">2 Tim. ii. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
and we are <I>strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner
|
|
man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:16">Eph. iii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The word in the original is a participle of the present tense, <B><I>en
|
|
to endynamounti me Christo,</I></B> and denotes a present and continued
|
|
act; as if he had said, "Through Christ, who is strengthening me, and
|
|
does continually strengthen me; it is by his constant and renewed
|
|
strength I am enabled to act in every thing; I wholly depend upon him
|
|
for all my spiritual power."
|
|
|
|
2. It did not come from covetousness, or an affection to worldly
|
|
wealth: "<I>Not because I desired a gift</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
that is, I welcome your kindness, not because it adds to my enjoyments,
|
|
but because it adds to your account." He desired not so much for his
|
|
own sake, but theirs: <I>"I desire fruit that may abound to your
|
|
account,</I> that is, that you may be enabled to make such a good use
|
|
of your worldly possessions that you may give an account of them with
|
|
joy." It is not with any design to draw more from you, but to encourage
|
|
you to such an exercise of beneficence as will meet with a glorious
|
|
reward hereafter. "For my part," says he, "<I>I have all, and
|
|
abound,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
What can a man desire more than enough? I do not desire a gift for the
|
|
gift's sake, for <I>I have all, and abound.</I>" They sent him a small
|
|
token, and he desired no more; he was not solicitous for a present
|
|
superfluity, or a future supply: <I>I am full, having received from
|
|
Epaphroditus the things which were sent by you.</I> Note, A good man
|
|
will soon have enough of this world; not only of living in it, but of
|
|
receiving from it. A covetous worldling, if he has ever so much, would
|
|
still have more; but a heavenly Christian, though he has little, has
|
|
enough.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The apostle assures them that God did accept, and would recompense,
|
|
their kindness to him.
|
|
|
|
1. He did accept it: <I>It is an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
|
|
acceptable, well-pleasing to God.</I> Not a sacrifice of atonement, for
|
|
none makes atonement for sin but Christ; but a sacrifice of
|
|
acknowledgment, and <I>well-pleasing to God.</I> It was more acceptable
|
|
to God as it was the fruit of their grace than it was to Paul as it was
|
|
the supply of his want. <I>With such sacrifices God is well
|
|
pleased,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:16">Heb. xiii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. He would recompense it: <I>But my God shall supply all your wants
|
|
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He does as it were draw a bill upon the exchequer in heaven, and leaves
|
|
it to God to make them amends for the kindness they had shown him. "He
|
|
shall do it, not only as your God, but as my God, who takes what is
|
|
done to me as done to himself. You supplied my needs, according to your
|
|
poverty; and he shall supply yours, according to his riches." But still
|
|
it is by Christ Jesus; through him we have grace to do that which is
|
|
good, and through him we must expect the reward of it. Not of debt, but
|
|
of grace; for the more we do for God the more we are indebted to him,
|
|
because we receive the more from him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Php4_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Conclusion.</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>20 Now unto God and our Father <I>be</I> glory for ever and ever.
|
|
Amen.
|
|
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are
|
|
with me greet you.
|
|
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cæsar's
|
|
household.
|
|
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <I>be</I> with you all. Amen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle concludes the epistle in these verses,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. With praises to God: <I>Now unto God and our Father be glory for
|
|
ever and ever, Amen,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) God is to be considered by us as our Father: <I>Now unto God and
|
|
our Father.</I> It is a great condescension and favour in God to own
|
|
the relation of Father to sinners, and allow us to say to him, <I>Our
|
|
Father;</I> and it is a title peculiar to the gospel dispensation. It
|
|
is also a great privilege and encouragement to us to consider him as
|
|
our Father, as one so nearly related and who bears so tender an
|
|
affection towards us. We should look upon God, under all our weaknesses
|
|
and fears, not as a tyrant or an enemy, but as a Father, who is
|
|
disposed to pity us and help us.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must ascribe glory to God as a Father, the glory of his own
|
|
excellence and of all his mercy unto us. We must thankfully own the
|
|
receipt of all from him, and give the praise of all to him. And our
|
|
praise must be constant and perpetual; it must be <I>glory for ever and
|
|
ever.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. With salutations to his friends at Philippi: "<I>Salute every saint
|
|
in Christ Jesus</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
give my hearty love to all the Christians in your parts." He desires
|
|
remembrances not only to the bishops and deacons, and the church in
|
|
general, but to every particular saint. Paul had a kind affection to
|
|
all good Christians.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He sends salutations from those who were at Rome: "<I>The brethren
|
|
who are with me salute you;</I> the <I>ministers,</I> and all the
|
|
saints here, send their affectionate remembrances to you. <I>Chiefly
|
|
those who are of Cæsar's household;</I> the Christian converts who
|
|
belonged to the emperor's court." Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) There were saints in Cæsar's household. Though Paul was
|
|
imprisoned at Rome, for preaching the gospel, by the emperor's command,
|
|
yet there were some Christians in his own family. The gospel early
|
|
obtained among some of the rich and great. Perhaps the apostle fared
|
|
the better, and received some favour, by means of his friends at court.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>Chiefly those,</I> &c. Observe, They, being bred at court,
|
|
were more complaisant than the rest. See what an ornament to religion
|
|
sanctified civility is.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The apostolical benediction, as usual: "<I>The grace of our Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.</I> The free favour and good will
|
|
of Christ be your portion and happiness."</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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<HR>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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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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