Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
TJianJcs for Supplies from PhUippi. PHILIPPIANS IV Prayer and Salatalions.
Philippi. M-hen I departed from Macedonia—(Acts 17
"Virtue," the standing word in heathen ethics, Is found once only lu St. Paul's Epistles, and once in' St. Peter's (2 Peter 1.5); and this in uses diflerent from those in heatlien
14.) The Philippians liad followed Paul witli their bounty when he left Macedonia and came to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 11. 8, 9 thus accor<ls with the passage here, the dates assigned to the donation in botli Epistles agreeing, viz., " in tlie begin7iing of the Gospel " here, and there, at the time of his first visit to Corinth. [Pai-EY's Hoi-ce PauUr\ce.\ However, tlie supply meant here is not that whicli lie received at Corinth, but the supply sent to him when "in Thessaloiiica, once and again " (y. 16). [Alford.] as concerning giving and receiving—In the account between 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 tlie New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparoble. 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, praisewhatever is praiseworthy; not that Cliristians should make man's praise their aim (of. John 12.43); but they should live so as todeserve men's praise, tliiiik on—have a continual regard to, so as to "do" these things (ti. 9) whenever the occasion arises. 9. both — rather, "The things aUo which ye ha%'e learned, &c.,&c., these pracus, "tiie giving" was all on your part; "the receiving" all on mine, ye only—We are not to wait for others in a good v,-ork, saying, " I will do so, when others do it." We must go forward though alone. IG. even iu Thessalonica —" even " as early as when I had got no further than Thessalonica, ye sent me supplies for my necessities more tlian once. 17. WL gift— Greek, "the gift." Translate, "It is not that T seek after Wiegifl, but I do seek after the fruit that aboundeth 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 (Hetirews 6. 10). 18. But—Though " the gift " is not what I cliiefly " seek after" (v. 17), yet I am grateful for the tice;" the things which besides recommending them in words, have been also recommended by my ezamjjle, carry Into practice, heard—though ye have not yet sut Kciently "received" them, seen—though ye have not as yet sufficiently " learned" them. [Bengel.] and—"and then," as the necessary result (u. 7). Not only " the peace of God," but "the God of peace" Himself "shall be with you."
10. But—Transitional conjunction. But "npw" to pass to another subject. In the liord—He views everything with reference to Christ, at the last—"at last;" implying he was expecting their gift, not from a selfish view, but as a " fruit" of their faith, and to " abound" gift, and hereby acknowledge it as amplefor all myneeds.
Translate, "I have all" that I want, "and more than enough," lit., as English Version, "I abound" over and above my needs. lam full Greek, " I am filled fuU." the odour of a s%veet smell (Note, Ephesians 5. 2.) The figure isdrawn from tliesweet-smelling incense which wasburnt along with the sacrifices; their gift being in faith was not so much to Paul, as to God (Matthew 25. 40), before whom to their account {v. 11, 17). Though long in coming, owing to Epaphroditus' sickness and other delays, he does not imply their gift was too late, your care . . . hath flourished agjiln — Greet, "Ye have flourished again (?-ei'tuerf, as trees sprouting forth again in spring) In your care for me." wherein ye were also careful— In respect to which (reuttiai, viz., the sending of a supply it "came upfora memorial" (Acts 1(5. 4), sweet-smelling in God's presence (Genesis S. 21 ; Revelation 8. 3, 4). sacrifice acceptable—(Hebrews 13. 16.) 19. my—Paul calls God here " my God," to imply that God would reward tlieir bounty to His servant, by " fully supplying " (translate so, lit., fill 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 " (ch. 2. 30), was owing to your having "lacked opportunity." 11. 1 have learned —The/in Greek is emphatical. I leave ittoothers if they to the full) their every " need " (2 Corinthians 9. 8), even as tliey had "fully" supplied his "need" (r. 16, 18). My Master will fully repay you, I cannot. The Philippians invested their bounty well, since it got tliem such a glorious return, according to his viclies—^The measure of His supply to you will be the immeasurable "riches of His grace " (Ephesitins 1. 7). in glory—Tliese 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 ail your need." by Christ Jesus—by virtue of your being " in " (so Greek, not " by") Christ Jesus, the Giveraiul Mediator of all spiritual blessings. 20. God and our Fatlxer—translate, " Unto our God and Father." be glory—rather as the Greek, " be the glory." Not to us, but to Him l)e " t/ie glory " alike of your gift, and of His gracious recompense to you. 81. Salute every saint iirdividiially. greet—salute you. The brethren which arewUh me—Perhaps Jewish believers are meant (Acts 28. 21). I think ch. 2. 20 precludes our thinking of " closer friends," "colleagues in the ministry " [Alford] ; he had only one close friend with him, viz., Timothy. 83. they that are of Csesar's household—tlie slaves and dependants of Nero who had been probably converted through Paul's teaching whilst he was a prisoner in the PrsBtorian barrack attached to tlie palace. Philippi was a Roman " colony," hencu there might arise a tie between the citizens of tlie mother cit5' and those of the colony; especially between those of both cities who were Christians, converted as many of them were by the same aposwill, to be discontented. I, for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence (Hebrews 5. 8), to be content in every state, content —The Greek, lit., expresses "independent of others, and having sujfficiency inone's self." ButChristianity has raised the term above the hauglity self-sufficiency of the heatlien Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency
Is not in self, but in God (1 Corinthians 3. 5; 1 Timothy 6. 6, 8; Hebrews 13. 5; cf. Jeremiah 2. 36; 45. 5). 13. abased—in low circumstances (2 Corinthians 4. 8; 6. 9, 10). everywhere—riitlier [Ar,F0RD], "in each, and in all things." Instructed-in the secret. Lit., "initiated" in a secret teaching, which is a mystery unknown to the world. 13. lean do all tUtngs— Greefe, "J have strengthfor \ things;" not merely " liow to be abased and how to abound." After special instances he declares his universal power—how triumphantly, yet how humbly! [Meyer.] through Christ which strcngtheneth me—The oldest MSS. omit "Christ;" then translate, "In i/im who giveth me poiver," i. e., by virtue of my living union and identification with
Him, who is my strength (Galatians 2. 20). Cf. 1 Timothy
1. 12, whence probably, "Christ" was inserted here V)y transcribers. 14. He here guards against tlieir tl)inking from what he has just fta\(i, that he makes lis;lit of their bounty, ye did communicate with my afilicdon—i. e., ye made yourselves sharers with me in my present aflllction, 112., by sympathy; of which sympatliy your contribution is the proof. 15. Now—"Moreover." Arrange as Greek, " Ye also know" (as well as I do myself), in the beginning of tlie Gospel—dating from tlie Philippian Christian era; at the first preaching of tl'e Gospel at tle, and under like circumstances, he having been imprisoned at Philippi, as he now is at Rome. 23. (Galatians fi. 18.) be with you all. Amen—The oldest MSS. read, " Be witli your spirit," and omit " Amen.'