Reference: Philippians, The Epistle To The
Fausets
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. The style, thought, and doctrine agree with Paul's. The incidental allusions confirm his authorship. Paley (Hor. Paul. 7) instances the mention of the object of Epaphroditus' journey to Rome, his sickness; the Philippian contribution to Paul's wants (Php 1:7; 2:25-30; 4:10-18); Timothy's having been long with Paul at Philippi (Php 1:1; 2:19); Paul's being for long a prisoner at Rome (Php 1:12-14; 2:17-28); his willingness to die for Christ (Php 1:23, compare 2Co 5:8); the Philippians having seen his maltreatment at Philippi (Php 1:29-30; 2:1-2).
EXTERNAL EVIDENCE. Polycarp (ad Philipp. 3 and 11, A.D. 107); so that Christians who heard Paul's epistle read for the first time may have spoken with Polycarp. Marcion in Tertullian (A D. 140) acknowledges its authenticity. So the Muratorian Fragment; Irenaeuns (adv. Haer, 4:18, section 4); Clemens Alex. (Paedagog. 1, 1:10); the epistle to the churches of Lyons and Vienne (A. D. 177) in Eusebius (H. E., 5:2); Tertullian (Resurr. Carnis, 23); Origen (Celsus, 1, 3:122); Cyprian (Testim. against the Jews, 3:39).
OBJECT. To thank them for contributions sent by Epaphroditus, who in returning takes back the epistle. Also to express Christian sympathy, and to exhort to imitation of Christ in humility and lowly love, instead of existing dissensions, as between Euodias and Syntyche (Php 4:2), and to warn against Judaizers. In this epistle alone are no positive censures; no doctrinal error or schism had as yet sprung up.
DIVISIONS.
I. Address: his state as a prisoner, theirs, his sending Epaphroditus to them (Philippians 1; 2). Epaphroditus probably was a presbyter of the Philippian church, who cheered Paul in iris imprisonment by bringing the Philippian token of love and liberality. By the fatigues of the journey that "brother, companion in labour, and fellow soldier" brought on himself dangerous sickness (Php 2:25-30). But now being well he "longed" to return to his Philippian flock and relieve them of their anxiety about him. So Paul takes the opportunity of sending an epistle by him.
II. Caution against Judaizers, contrasting his own former legalism with his present following Christ as his all (Philippians 3).
III. Admonitions to individuals and to the church, thanks for seasonable aid, concluding benedictions (Philippians 4). Paul writes from Rome in his first imprisonment (Ac 28:16,20,30-31). Compare Php 4:22, "Caesar's household"; Php 1:13, "the palace" (proetorium, i.e. the barrack of the Proetorian bodyguard attached to "the palace" of Nero). (See PALACE He was in custody of the Praetorian prefect, in "bonds" (Php 1:12-14). It was toward the close of the first imprisonment, for
(1) he expects his cause to be immediately decided (Php 2:23).
(2) Enough time had elapsed for the Philippians to hear of his imprisonment, to send Epaphroditus, and to hear of his arrival and sickness, and send word to Rome of their distress (Php 2:26).
(3) Epistles to the Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon had already been written from Rome; for Luke is no longer with him (Php 2:20), otherwise he would salute them as having formerly laboured among them; but in Col 4:14 he was with Paul (Phm 1:24). In Eph 6:19-20 he is free to preach; but, here in Php 1:13-18 he dwells on his "bonds"; not Paul himself but others preach and make his imprisonment known; instead of anticipating release (Phm 1:22) he knows not but that death is near.
(4) A long time has elapsed since his imprisonment began, for his" bonds" known far and wide have furthered the gospel (Php 1:13).
(5) His imprisonment is more rigorous (compare Ac 28:16,30-31 with Php 1:29-30; 2:27). In the second year of it (A.D. 62) Burrhue, the Praetorian prefect ("captain of the guard"), died. Nero, having divorced Octavia and married Poppaea a Jewish proselytess (who then caused Octavia to be murdered), promoted Tigellinus, the promoter of the marriage, a wicked monster, to the Praetorian prefecture. Paul was then removed from his hired house into the Praetorium or barrack of the Praetorian guards attached to the palace, for stricter custody. Hence he writes, doubtful of the issue (Php 2:17; 3:11). From the smaller Praetorian bodyguard at the palace the guards, who had been chained to his hand before, would carry the report of his "bonds" and strange story to the general Praetorian camp which Tiberius established N. of the city, outside the walls.
DATE. He arrived at Rome February A.D. 61. The" two whole years in his own hired house" (Ac 28:30) ended February A.D. 63. This epistle would be immediately after, spring or summer A.D. 63. God averted the danger. Tigellinus thought Paul beneath his notice. Nero's favorite, Pallas, brother of Felix, died, and so another source of danger passed away. Alate date is also implied in the mention (Php 1:1) of "bishop presbyters and deacons"; the church had already assumed the order laid down in the pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus.
STYLE. Abrupt and fervent, passing from one theme to another in strong feeling (Php 2:18-19,24-25,30; 3:1-15). Nowhere else does he use such warm expressions. He lays aside the official tone, and his title "apostle," to make them feel he regards them as friends and equals. Like his midnight song of praise in the Philippian prison, this epistle from his Roman confinement has a joyous tone throughout. At Php 4:1 he seems at a loss for words to express all the warmth of his love for them: "my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.
For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."
And he stayed there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him,
And he stayed there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him,
And he stayed there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
We are confident, I say, and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Now I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
so that my imprisonment for Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear.
and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear.
and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have been encouraged to speak the word of God without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. read more. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake,
For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news of you.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news of you.
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news of you. I have no one else like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
I have no one else like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. read more. But you know that he has proved his worth, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;
Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill.
for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill.
for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill.
for he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may have less anxiety.
Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may have less anxiety.
Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may have less anxiety. So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him,
So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those mutilators of the body. read more. For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, though I myself have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever was gain to me, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count everything to be loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith, that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. read more. Brethren, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.
Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you had no opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. read more. I know how to be in need, and I also know how to have plenty; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and want. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica you sent me a gift once and again for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope through your prayers to be granted to you.