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<p id="Chapter4" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 4
<p id="Php4_1"><a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,'1-23');">Phl 4:1-23</a>. EXHORTATIONS: THANKS FOR THE SUPPLY FROM PHILIPPI: GREETING; AND CLOSING BENEDICTION.
<p><b>1.</b> "Wherefore"; since we have such a glorious hope (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,20,21);">Phl 3:20-21</a>).
<br><br><b>dearly beloved</b>&#8212;repeated again at the close of the verse, implying that his great love to them should be a motive to their obedience.
<br><br><b>longed for</b>&#8212;"yearned after" in your absence (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',1,8);">Phl 1:8</a>).
<br><br><b>crown</b>&#8212;in the day of the Lord (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,16);">Phl 2:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',2,19);">1Th 2:19</a>).
<br><br><b>so</b>&#8212;as I have admonished you.
<br><br><b>stand fast</b>&#8212; (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',1,27);">Phl 1:27</a>).
<p id="Php4_2"><b>2.</b> Euodia and Syntyche were two women who seem to have been at variance; probably deaconesses of the church. He repeats, "I beseech," as if he would admonish each separately, and with the utmost impartiality.
<br><br><b>in the Lord</b>&#8212;the true element of Christian union; for those "in the Lord" by faith to be at variance, is an utter inconsistency.
<p id="Php4_3"><b>3. And</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "Yea."
<br><br><b>true yoke-fellow</b>&#8212;yoked with me in the same Gospel yoke (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,29,30);">Mat 11:29-30</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,17,18);">1Ti 5:17-18</a>). Either Timothy, Silas (<a onclick="return mV('Act',15,40);">Act 15:40</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',16,19);">16:19</a>, <i>at Philippi</i>), or the chief bishop of Philippi. Or else the <i>Greek,</i> "<i>Sunzugus,</i>" or "<i>Synzygus,</i>" is a proper name: "Who art truly, as thy name means, a <i>yoke-fellow.</i>" Certainly not <i>Paul's wife,</i> as <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',9,5);">1Cr 9:5</a> implies he had none.
<br><br><b>help those women</b>&#8212;rather, as <i>Greek,</i> "help <i>them,</i>" namely, Euodia and Syntyche. "Co-operate with them" [BIRKS]; or as ALFORD, "Help in the work of their reconciliation."
<br><br><b>which laboured with me</b>&#8212;"<i>inasmuch</i> as they labored with me." At Philippi, women were the first hearers of the Gospel, and Lydia the first convert. It is a coincidence which marks genuineness, that in this Epistle alone, special instructions are given to women who labored with Paul in the Gospel. In selecting the first teachers, those first converted would naturally be fixed on. Euodia and Syntyche were doubtless two of "the women who resorted to the riverside, where prayer was wont to be made" (<a onclick="return mV('Act',16,13);">Act 16:13</a>), and being early converted, would naturally take an active part in teaching other women called at a later period; of course not in public preaching, but in a less prominent sphere (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',2,11,12);">1Ti 2:11-12</a>).
<br><br><b>Clement</b>&#8212;bishop of Rome shortly after the death of Peter and Paul. His Epistle from the Church of Rome to the Church of Corinth is extant. It makes no mention of the supremacy of the See of Peter. He was the most eminent of the apostolical fathers. ALFORD thinks that the Clement here was <i>a Philippian,</i> and not necessarily Clement, bishop of Rome. But ORIGEN [<i>Commentary,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,29);">John 1:29</a>] identifies the Clement here with the bishop of Rome.
<br><br><b>in the book of life</b>&#8212;the register-book of those whose "citizenship is in heaven" (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',10,20);">Luk 10:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,20);">Phl 3:20</a>). Anciently, free cities had a roll book containing the names of all those having the right of citizenship (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',32,32);">Exd 32:32</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',69,28);">Psa 69:28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',13,9);">Eze 13:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',12,1);">Dan 12:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',20,12);">Rev 20:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,27);">21:27</a>).
<p id="Php4_4"><b>4.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',61,10);">Isa 61:10</a>. )
<br><br><b>alway</b>&#8212;even amidst the afflictions now distressing you (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',1,'28-30');">Phl 1:28-30</a> ).
<br><br><b>again</b>&#8212;as he had already said, "Rejoice" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,1);">Phl 3:1</a>). Joy is the predominant feature of the Epistle.
<br><br><b>I say</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> rather, "I <i>will</i> say."
<p id="Php4_5"><b>5. moderation</b>&#8212;from a <i>Greek</i> root, "to yield," whence <i>yieldingness</i> [TRENCH]; or from a root, "it is fitting," whence "<i>reasonableness of dealing</i>" [ALFORD], that considerateness for others, <i>not urging one's own rights to the uttermost,</i> but waiving a part, and thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. The archetype of this grace is God, who presses not the strictness of His law against us as we deserve (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',130,3,4);">Psa 130:3-4</a>); though having exacted the fullest payment for us from our Divine Surety. There are included in "moderation," <i>candor</i> and <i>kindliness. Joy in the Lord</i> raises us above rigorism towards others (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,5);">Phl 4:5</a>), and carefulness (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,6);">Phl 4:6</a>) as to one's own affairs. Sadness produces <i>morose harshness</i> towards others, and a troublesome spirit in ourselves.
<br><br><b>Let...be known</b>&#8212;that is, in your conduct to others, let nothing inconsistent with "moderation" be seen. Not a precept to make a <i>display</i> of moderation. Let this grace "be known" to men in <i>acts;</i> let "your requests be made to God" in word (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,6);">Phl 4:6</a>).
<br><br><b>unto all men</b>&#8212;even to the "perverse" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,15);">Phl 2:15</a>), that so ye may win them. Exercise "forbearance" even to your persecutors. None is so ungracious as not to be kindly to someone, from some motive or another, on some occasion; the believer is to be so "unto all men" at all times.
<br><br><b>The Lord is at hand</b>&#8212;The Lord's coming again speedily is the grand motive to every Christian grace (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',5,8,9);">Jam 5:8-9</a>). Harshness to others (the opposite of "moderation") would be taking into our own hands prematurely the prerogatives of judging, which belongs to the Lord alone (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',4,5);">1Cr 4:5</a>); and so provoking God to judge us by the strict letter of the law (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',2,12,13);">Jam 2:12-13</a>).
<p id="Php4_6"><b>6.</b> Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL].
<br><br><b>by prayer and supplication</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "by <i>the</i> prayer and <i>the</i> supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. <i>Prayer</i> for blessings; and the general term. <i>Supplication,</i> to avert ills; a special term, <i>suppliant entreaty</i> (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Eph/Eph006.html#Eph6_18">Eph 6:18</a>).
<br><br><b>thanksgiving</b>&#8212;for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (<a onclick="return mV('1Th',5,18);">1Th 5:18</a> <a onclick="return mV('Jam',5,13);">Jam 5:13</a>). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (<a onclick="return mV('Act',16,25);">Act 16:25</a>). Thanksgiving gives effect to prayer (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',20,21);">2Ch 20:21</a>), and frees from <i>anxious carefulness</i> by making all God's dealings matter for <i>praise,</i> not merely for <i>resignation,</i> much less <i>murmuring.</i> "Peace" is the companion of "thanksgiving" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,7);">Phl 4:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,15);">Col 3:15</a>).
<br><br><b>let your requests be made known unto God</b>&#8212;with generous, filial, unreserved confidence; not keeping aught back, as too great, or else too small, to bring before God, though you might feel so as to your fellow men. So Jacob, when fearing Esau (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',32,'9-12');">Gen 32:9-12</a> ); Hezekiah fearing Sennacherib (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',19,14);">2Ki 19:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,5);">Psa 37:5</a>).
<p id="Php4_7"><b>7. And</b>&#8212;The inseparable consequence of thus laying everything before God in "prayer with thanksgiving."
<br><br><b>peace</b>&#8212;the dispeller of "anxious care" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,6);">Phl 4:6</a>).
<br><br><b>of God</b>&#8212;coming from God, and resting in God (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,27);">Jhn 14:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,33);">16:33</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,15);">Col 3:15</a>).
<br><br><b>passeth</b>&#8212;<i>surpasseth,</i> or <i>exceedeth,</i> all man's notional powers of understanding its full blessedness (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',2,9,10);">1Cr 2:9-10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',3,20);">Eph 3:20</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Pro',3,17);">Pro 3:17</a>).
<br><br><b>shall keep</b>&#8212;rather, "shall <i>guard</i>"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',26,1);">Isa 26:1, 3</a>). The same <i>Greek</i> verb is used in <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,5);">1Pe 1:5</a>. There shall be peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege.
<br><br><b>hearts and minds</b>&#8212;rather, "hearts (the <i>seat</i> of the thoughts) and <i>thoughts</i>" or purposes.
<br><br><b>through</b>&#8212;rather as <i>Greek,</i> "<i>in</i> Christ Jesus." It is in Christ that we are "kept" or "guarded" secure.
<p id="Php4_8"><b>8.</b> Summary of all his exhortations as to relative duties, whether as children or parents, husbands or wives, friends, neighbors, men in the intercourse of the world, etc.
<br><br><b>true</b>&#8212;sincere, <i>in words.</i>
<br><br><b>honest</b>&#8212;<i>Old</i> English for "seemly," namely, <i>in action;</i> literally, <i>grave, dignified.</i>
<br><br><b>just</b>&#8212;towards <i>others.</i>
<br><br><b>pure</b>&#8212;"chaste," in relation to <i>ourselves.</i>
<br><br><b>lovely</b>&#8212;lovable (compare <a onclick="return mV('Mar',10,21);">Mar 10:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',7,4,5);">Luk 7:4-5</a>).
<br><br><b>of good report</b>&#8212;referring to the <i>absent</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',1,27);">Phl 1:27</a>); as "lovely" refers to what is lovable <i>face to face.</i>
<br><br><b>if there be any virtue</b>&#8212;"whatever virtue there is" [ALFORD]. "Virtue," the standing word in heathen ethics, is found once only in Paul's Epistles, and once in Peter's (<a onclick="return mV('2Pe',1,5);">2Pe 1:5</a>); and this in uses different from those in heathen authors. It is a term rather earthly and human, as compared with the names of the spiritual graces which Christianity imparts; hence the rarity of its occurrence in the New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparable. Piety is love with its face towards God; morality is love with its face towards man. Despise not anything that is good in itself; only let it keep its due place.
<br><br><b>praise</b>&#8212;whatever is <i>praiseworthy;</i> not that Christians should make man's praise their aim (compare <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,43);">Jhn 12:43</a>); but they should live so as to <i>deserve</i> men's praise.
<br><br><b>think on</b>&#8212;have a continual regard to, so as to "do" these things (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,9);">Phl 4:9</a>) whenever the occasion arises.
<p id="Php4_9"><b>9. both</b>&#8212;rather, "The things <i>also</i> which ye have learned ...these <i>practice</i>"; the things which besides recommending them in words, have been <i>also</i> recommended <i>by my example,</i> carry into practice.
<br><br><b>heard</b>&#8212;though ye have not yet sufficiently "received" them.
<br><br><b>seen</b>&#8212;though ye have not as yet sufficiently "learned" them [BENGEL].
<br><br><b>and</b>&#8212;"and then," as the necessary result (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,7);">Phl 4:7</a>). Not only "the peace of God," but "the God of peace" Himself "shall be with you."
<p id="Php4_10"><b>10. But</b>&#8212;transitional conjunction. But "now" to pass to another subject.
<br><br><b>in the Lord</b>&#8212;He views everything with reference to Christ.
<br><br><b>at the last</b>&#8212;"at last"; implying he was expecting their gift, not from a selfish view, but as a "fruit" of their faith, and to "abound" to their account (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,11,17);">Phl 4:11, 17</a>). Though long in coming, owing to Epaphroditus' sickness and other delays, he does not imply their gift was too late.
<br><br><b>your care...hath flourished again</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "Ye have flourished again (<i>revived,</i> as trees sprouting forth <i>again</i> in spring) in your care <i>for</i> me."
<br><br><b>wherein ye were also careful</b>&#8212;in respect to which (<i>revival,</i> namely, the sending of a supply to me) "ye were also (all along) careful, but ye lacked opportunity"; whether from want of means or want of a messenger. Your "lack of service" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,30);">Phl 2:30</a>), was owing to your having "lacked opportunity."
<p id="Php4_11"><b>11. I have learned</b>&#8212;The <i>I</i> in <i>Greek</i> is emphatical. I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented. <i>I,</i> for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,8);">Hbr 5:8</a>), to be content in every state.
<br><br><b>content</b>&#8212;The <i>Greek,</i> literally expresses "independent of others, and having <i>sufficiency in one's self.</i>" But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty <i>self-sufficiency</i> of the heathen Stoic to the <i>contentment</i> of the Christian, whose <i>sufficiency</i> is not in <i>self,</i> but in <i>God</i> (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,5);">2Cr 3:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,6,8);">1Ti 6:6, 8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,5);">Hbr 13:5</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,36);">Jer 2:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',45,5);">45:5</a>).
<p id="Php4_12"><b>12. abased</b>&#8212;in low circumstances (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,8);">2Cr 4:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',6,9,10);">6:9-10</a>).
<br><br><b>everywhere</b>&#8212;rather, "in each, and in all things" [ALFORD].
<br><br><b>instructed</b>&#8212;in the secret. Literally, "initiated" in a secret teaching, which is a <i>mystery</i> unknown to the world.
<p id="Php4_13"><b>13. I can do all things</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "<i>I have strength for all things</i>"; not merely "how to be abased and how to abound." After special instances he declares his <i>universal</i> power&#8212;how triumphantly, yet how humbly! [MEYER].
<br><br><b>through Christ which strengtheneth me</b>&#8212;The oldest manuscripts omit "Christ"; then translate, "In <i>Him</i> who giveth me <i>power,</i>" that is, by virtue of my living union and identification with Him, who is my strength (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',2,20);">Gal 2:20</a>). Compare <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',1,12);">1Ti 1:12</a>, whence probably, "Christ" was inserted here by transcribers.
<p id="Php4_14"><b>14.</b> He here guards against their thinking from what he has just said, that he makes light of their bounty.
<br><br><b>ye did communicate with my affliction</b>&#8212;that is, ye made yourselves <i>sharers with</i> me in my present affliction, namely, by sympathy; of which sympathy your <i>contribution</i> is the proof.
<p id="Php4_15"><b>15. Now</b>&#8212;"Moreover." Arrange as <i>Greek,</i> "Ye also know (as well as I do myself)."
<br><br><b>in the beginning of the gospel</b>&#8212;dating from the <i>Philippian</i> Christian era; at the first preaching of the Gospel at Philippi.
<br><br><b>when I departed from Macedonia</b>&#8212; (<a onclick="return mV('Act',17,14);">Act 17:14</a>). The Philippians had followed Paul with their bounty when he left Macedonia and came to Corinth. <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',11,8,9);">2Cr 11:8-9</a> thus accords with the passage here, the dates assigned to the donation in both Epistles agreeing; namely, "in the <i>beginning</i> of the Gospel" here, and there, at the time of his <i>first</i> visit to Corinth [PALEY, <i>Horae Paulinae</i>]. However, the supply meant here is not that which he received at Corinth, but the supply sent to him when "in Thessalonica, once and again" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,16);">Phl 4:16</a>), [ALFORD].
<br><br><b>as concerning giving and receiving</b>&#8212;In the account between us, "the giving" was all on your part; "the receiving" all on mine.
<br><br><b>ye only</b>&#8212;We are not to wait for others in a good work, saying, "I will do so, when others do it." We must go forward, though <i>alone.</i>
<p id="Php4_16"><b>16. even in Thessalonica</b>&#8212;"even" as early as when I had got no further than Thessalonica, ye sent me supplies for my necessities more than once.
<p id="Php4_17"><b>17. a gift</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "<i>the</i> gift." Translate, "It is not that <i>I seek after</i> the gift, but <i>I do seek after the</i> fruit that <i>aboundeth</i> to your account"; what I do seek is your spiritual good, in the abounding of fruits of your faith which shall be put down to your account, against the day of reward (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',6,10);">Hbr 6:10</a>).
<p id="Php4_18"><b>18. But</b>&#8212;Though "the gift" is not what I chiefly "seek after" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,17);">Phl 4:17</a>), <i>yet</i> I am grateful for the gift, and hereby acknowledge it as ample for all my needs. Translate, "I have all" that I want, "and more than enough." Literally, as <i>English Version,</i> "I abound" over and above my needs.
<br><br><b>I am full</b>&#8212;<i>Greek,</i> "I am filled full."
<br><br><b>the odour of a sweet smell</b>&#8212; (See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Eph/Eph005.html#Eph5_2">Eph 5:2</a>). The figure is drawn from the sweet-smelling incense which was burnt along with the sacrifices; their gift being in faith was not so much to Paul, as <i>to God</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',25,40);">Mat 25:40</a>), before whom it "came up for a memorial" (<a onclick="return mV('Act',10,4);">Act 10:4</a>), sweet-smelling in God's presence (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',8,21);">Gen 8:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',8,3,4);">Rev 8:3-4</a>).
<br><br><b>sacrifice acceptable</b>&#8212; (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,16);">Hbr 13:16</a>).
<p id="Php4_19"><b>19. my</b>&#8212;Paul calls God here "my God," to imply that God would reward their bounty to HIS servant, by "fully supplying" (translate so, literally, <i>fill to the full</i>) their every "need" (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',9,8);">2Cr 9:8</a>), even as they had "fully" supplied his "need" (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,16);">Phl 4:16,18</a>). My Master will fully repay you; I cannot. The Philippians invested their bounty well since it got them such a glorious return.
<br><br><b>according to his riches</b>&#8212;The measure of His supply to you will be the immeasurable "riches of His grace" (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,7);">Eph 1:7</a>).
<br><br><b>in glory</b>&#8212;These words belong to the whole sentence. "Glory" is the element in which His rich grace operates; and it will be the element IN which He will "supply fully all your need."
<br><br><b>by Christ Jesus</b>&#8212;by virtue of your being "IN" (so <i>Greek,</i> not "by") Christ Jesus, the Giver and Mediator of all spiritual blessings.
<p id="Php4_20"><b>20. God and our Father</b>&#8212;Translate, "Unto <i>our God and Father.</i>"
<br><br><b>be glory</b>&#8212;rather as the <i>Greek,</i> "be <i>the</i> glory." Not to us, but to Him be "<i>the</i> glory" alike of your gift, and of His gracious recompense to you.
<p id="Php4_21"><b>21. Salute every saint</b>&#8212;<i>individually.</i>
<br><br><b>greet</b>&#8212;salute you.
<br><br><b>The brethren which are with me</b>&#8212;Perhaps Jewish believers are meant (<a onclick="return mV('Act',28,21);">Act 28:21</a>). I think <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,20);">Phl 2:20</a> precludes our thinking of "closer friends," "colleagues in the ministry" [ALFORD]; he had only one close friend with him, namely, Timothy.
<p id="Php4_22"><b>22. they that are of Caesar's household</b>&#8212;the slaves and dependents of Nero who had been probably converted through Paul's teaching while he was a prisoner in the Praetorian barrack attached to the palace. Philippi was a Roman "colony," hence there might arise a tie between the citizens of the mother city and those of the colony; especially between those of both cities who were Christians, converted as many of them were by the same apostle, and under like circumstances, he having been imprisoned at Philippi, as he now is at Rome.
<p id="Php4_23"><b>23.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',6,18);">Gal 6:18</a>).
<br><br><b>be with you all. Amen</b>&#8212;The oldest manuscripts read, "Be with your spirit," and omit "Amen."
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