Reference: Philippians, Epistle to
Easton
was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in Rome (Php 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61.
The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the necessities of the apostle; and on his return Paul sent back with him this letter. With this precious communication Epaphroditus sets out on his homeward journey. "The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the church of Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the church itself passes from our view. To-day, in silent meadows, quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation the letter written in a dungeon at Rome, and carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light divine and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths of life" (Professor Beet).
The church at Philippi was the first-fruits of European Christianity. Their attachment to the apostle was very fervent, and so also was his affection for them. They alone of all the churches helped him by their contributions, which he gratefully acknowledges (Ac 20:33-35; 2Co 11:7-12; 2Th 3:8). The pecuniary liberality of the Philippians comes out very conspicuously (Php 4:15). "This was a characteristic of the Macedonian missions, as 2Co 8 and 2Co 9 amply and beautifully prove. It is remarkable that the Macedonian converts were, as a class, very poor (2Co 8:2); and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed support of the great missionary and his work, are deeply harmonious. At the present day the missionary liberality of poor Christians is, in proportion, really greater than that of the rich" (Moule's Philippians, Introd.).
The contents of this epistle give an interesting insight into the condition of the church at Rome at the time it was written. Paul's imprisonment, we are informed, was no hindrance to his preaching the gospel, but rather "turned out to the furtherance of the gospel." The gospel spread very extensively among the Roman soldiers, with whom he was in constant contact, and the Christians grew into a "vast multitude." It is plain that Christianity was at this time making rapid advancement in Rome.
The doctrinal statements of this epistle bear a close relation to those of the Epistle to the Romans. Compare also Php 3:20 with Eph 2:12,19, where the church is presented under the idea of a city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's writings. The personal glory of Christ is also set forth in almost parallel forms of expression in Php 2:5-11, compared with Eph 1:17-23; 2:8; and Col 1:15-20. "This exposition of the grace and wonder of His personal majesty, personal self-abasement, and personal exaltation after it," found in these epistles, "is, in a great measure, a new development in the revelations given through St. Paul" (Moule). Other minuter analogies in forms of expression and of thought are also found in these epistles of the Captivity.
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I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Moreover, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to those that were with me. read more. I have showed you in all things how that so labouring, ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
how that in a great trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; illuminating the eyes of your understanding, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints read more. and what is the exceeding greatness of his power in us who believe, by the operation of the power of his strength, which operated in the Christ, raising him from the dead and setting him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come, And has put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the congregation , which is his body, and he is the fullness of her: who fills all things in everyone.
For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,
that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world,
Now therefore ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God,
Even as it is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are joint partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. read more. And this I pray that your charity may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all perception, that ye may approve the best, that ye may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ, being filled with fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places;
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, read more. but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross . Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord in the glory of God the Father.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Now ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by him were all things created, that are in the heavens and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by him and in him; read more. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the congregation , who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell and by him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross , whether they are the things in the earth or the things in the heavens.
Hastings
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO
1. The Church of Philippi.
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and from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony; and we were in that city abiding certain days.
and from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony; and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on one of the sabbaths we went out of the city by a river side, where it was customary to pray; and we sat down and spoke unto the women who gathered there. read more. Then a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who feared God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a Pythian spirit met us, which brought her masters much gain by divination: she followed Paul and us and cried out, saying, These men are the slaves of the most high God, who announce unto us the way of deliverance. And she did this for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city and teach rites which are not lawful for us to receive neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight as Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them, then suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light and came inside and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spoke unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison made these words known unto Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore depart and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out in secret? no indeed; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the sergeants returned and told these words unto the magistrates; and they feared when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and bringing them out, asked them to depart out of the city. And leaving the prison, they entered into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
who also has gone about to profane the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law.
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar have I sinned in anything at all.
how that in a great trial of tribulation the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be enriched.
Have I committed an offence in humbling myself that ye might be exalted because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy,
always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Even as it is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are joint partakers of my grace.
Even as it is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are joint partakers of my grace.
Even as it is right for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are joint partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray that your charity may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all perception, read more. that ye may approve the best, that ye may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ, being filled with fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel,
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places;
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places;
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places;
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach the Christ even out of envy and strife, but others also out of good will.
Some indeed preach the Christ even out of envy and strife, but others also out of good will. Some preach the Christ out of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add tribulation to my bonds,
Some preach the Christ out of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add tribulation to my bonds, but the others out of charity, knowing that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel.
but the others out of charity, knowing that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel.
but the others out of charity, knowing that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, and will even rejoice.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, and will even rejoice. For I know that this shall become my saving health through your prayer and the nourishment of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
For I know that this shall become my saving health through your prayer and the nourishment of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, yet I do not know what to choose.
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, yet I do not know what to choose. For I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better:
For I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better: nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith,
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith,
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith, that your glorying in Jesus Christ may be more abundant by my coming to you again.
that your glorying in Jesus Christ may be more abundant by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as is worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, unanimous, working together for the faith of the gospel,
Only let your conversation be as is worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, unanimous, working together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of saving health and that of God. read more. For unto you it is granted regarding Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which ye saw in me and now hear to be in me.
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same charity, unanimous, minding the one thing. read more. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in humility let each esteem others better than themselves, with each one not looking to their own things, but also to the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God,
who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, made in the likeness of men,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross .
and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross . Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name,
Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord in the glory of God the Father.
and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord in the glory of God the Father.
that ye may be blameless and innocent, children of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, that I may glory in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
For the same cause ye also have joy and rejoice with me. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. read more. For I have no one likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
For I have no one likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he has served with me in the gospel. read more. Therefore, I hope to send him presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour and fellowsoldier, but your messenger and he that ministered to my needs.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour and fellowsoldier, but your messenger and he that ministered to my needs. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he had been sick
For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because ye had heard that he had been sick For indeed he was sick near unto death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
For indeed he was sick near unto death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him, therefore, the more carefully, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice and that I may be the less sorrowful.
I sent him, therefore, the more carefully, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness and esteem such
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness and esteem such because for the work of the Christ he was near unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
because for the work of the Christ he was near unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
It remains, my brethren, that ye rejoice in the Lord. It does not bother me to write the same things to you, and for you it is safe.
It remains, my brethren, that ye rejoice in the Lord. It does not bother me to write the same things to you, and for you it is safe.
It remains, my brethren, that ye rejoice in the Lord. It does not bother me to write the same things to you, and for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
And doubtless I even count all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: read more. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Brethren, be imitators of me and consider those who so walk, as ye have us for a pattern. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ;
For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall transform our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is also able to subdue all things unto himself.
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and with my other fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and with my other fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also and with my other fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is near.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
Be anxious for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, exercise yourselves in these things.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, exercise yourselves in these things.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, exercise yourselves in these things. Those things, which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.
Those things, which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.
Those things, which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.
Those things, which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again, in which ye were also concerned, but ye lacked opportunity.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again, in which ye were also concerned, but ye lacked opportunity.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again, in which ye were also concerned, but ye lacked opportunity.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again, in which ye were also concerned, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.
Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.
Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance; in everything and by all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance; in everything and by all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance; in everything and by all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Notwithstanding ye have done well, that ye did communicate with my tribulation.
Notwithstanding ye have done well, that ye did communicate with my tribulation. Now ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Now ye Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
But I have all and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. read more. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, chiefly those that are of the Caesar's household.
All the saints greet you, chiefly those that are of the Caesar's household.
All the saints greet you, chiefly those that are of the Caesar's household.
All the saints greet you, chiefly those that are of the Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
And you, being dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
All my affairs shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother and a faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord,