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 man's silver or gold or clothing; you yourselves know that these hands have served my necessities and those with me. read more. I have showed you all things, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
that in much trying affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your minds being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his call, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, read more. and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty power, which he performed in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly [worlds], above every principality and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this life but also in that to come, and put all things in subjection under his feet, and made him head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all things in all.
For by grace are you saved through the faith; and that not of you; [it is] the gift of God;
that at that time you were without Christ, alienated from the polity of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world;
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow-citizens of the saints and of the family of God,
as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace. For God is my witness, how much I desire you all with the tender affections of Christ Jesus. read more. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding, that you may prove the excellent, that you may be without fault and without offense in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. But I wish you to know, brothers, that the things as to me have resulted in the advancement of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium 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 a robbery to be equal with God; read more. but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man, and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross. Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
But our kingdom is in heaven, from which also we expect the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
And you know also, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only;
who is the likeness of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation, for by him were all things created which are in heaven and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through him and for him, read more. and he is before all things, and in him all things consist, and he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that he might himself be preeminent in all things, for in him [God] was well pleased that all fullness should dwell, and through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens.
Hastings
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO
1. The Church of Philippi.
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and thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a colony. And we spent some days in that city.
and thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a colony. And we spent some days in that city. And on the sabbath we went out of the gate, by the river, where the proseuche [place of prayer] usually was, and sitting down we spoke to the women who came together. read more. And a certain woman by the name of Lydia, a dealer in purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard, whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the [words] spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her house, she requested saying, If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay; and she constrained us. And when we went to the proseuche, a certain female servant having a spirit, a diviner, met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining. She following Paul and us, cried, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us the way of salvation; and this she did for many days. And Paul being grieved turned around and said to the spirit, I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out of her in that hour. And her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, seizing Paul and Silas dragged them to the market, to the rulers, and bringing them before the prefects said, These men, being Jews, greatly trouble the city, and preach customs which it is not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. And the multitude came together against them, and the prefects tearing off their clothes gave orders to beat them with rods, and having inflicted many blows on them cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God, and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were removed. And the jailer awaking from sleep and seeing the doors of the prison opened, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. And asking for a light he sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, and bringing them out said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all those in his house. And taking them that hour of the night, he washed them from their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his, immediately, and conducting them up into his house he set a table, and rejoiced with all his house, having believed in God. And when it was day the prefects sent the lictors, saying, Let those men go. And the jailer told these words to Paul; The prefects have sent to let you go; now, therefore, go, and depart in peace. But Paul said to him, They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, being Romans, and cast us into prison; and now do they privately cast us out? No, indeed: but let them come themselves and conduct us out. And the lictors told these words to the prefects, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans; and they came and besought them, and conducting them out desired them to leave the city. And going out of the prison they entered into the house of Lydia, and having seen the brothers they exhorted them, and departed.
And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.
while Paul maintained in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I done any wrong.
that in much trying affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes he became poor, though rich, that you by his poverty might be rich.
Have I done wrong to humble myself that you might be exalted, that I preached the gospel of God to you gratuitously?
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. I thank my God at every remembrance of you,
I thank my God at 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 till now,
for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day till now, having this same confidence, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on till the day of Jesus Christ,
having this same confidence, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on till the day of Jesus Christ, as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace.
as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace.
as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace. For God is my witness, how much I desire you all with the tender affections of Christ Jesus.
For God is my witness, how much I desire you all with the tender affections of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding, read more. that you may prove the excellent, that you may be without fault and without offense in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. But I wish you to know, brothers, that the things as to me have resulted in the advancement of the gospel,
But I wish you to know, brothers, that the things as to me have resulted in the advancement of the gospel, so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places,
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places,
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places,
so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Praetorium and in all other places, and many of the brothers having been made confident by my bonds in the Lord have more abundant courage to speak the word without fear.
and many of the brothers having been made confident by my bonds in the Lord have more abundant courage to speak the word without fear.
and many of the brothers having been made confident by my bonds in the Lord have more abundant courage to speak the word without fear. For some indeed preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also because of good will;
For some indeed preach Christ because of envy and strife, and some also because of good will; [\ul Note: The text of verse
comes after the text of verse
[\ul Note: The text of verse
comes after the text of verse in Sawyer]those from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel,
but those from contention preach Christ not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for my bonds.
in Sawyer]those from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel,
but those from contention preach Christ not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for my bonds.
in Sawyer]those from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel,
but those from contention preach Christ not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for my bonds. What then? nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice. But I also will rejoice;
What then? nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice. But I also will rejoice; for I know that this will result in salvation to me, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
for I know that this will result in salvation to me, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but with all boldness as always also now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
according to my expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but with all boldness as always also now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh [is allowed me], I have this fruit of my work, and which I shall choose I know not.
But if to live in the flesh [is allowed me], I have this fruit of my work, and which I shall choose I know not. But I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ; for this is far better;
But I am in a strait between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ; for this is far better; but to continue in the flesh is more necessary for you.
but to continue in the flesh is more necessary for you. And fully believing this, I know that I shall continue, and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of the faith,
And fully believing this, I know that I shall continue, and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of the faith,
And fully believing this, I know that I shall continue, and continue with you all, for your advancement and joy of the faith, that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus by me through my coming again to you.
that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus by me through my coming again to you. Only conduct yourselves as citizens worthily of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
Only conduct yourselves as citizens worthily of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, terrified in nothing by the adversaries, which is to them a token of destruction, but to you of salvation, and this from God; read more. because it was given to you in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear of in me.
If therefore there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if any participation of the Spirit, if any affections and compassions, fulfil my joy, that you have the same mind, having the same love, sympathizing with each other, having one opinion. read more. Do nothing in strife or vain glory, but in humility let each esteem others better than himself, and let each consider not his own interests, but also those of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not a robbery to be equal with God;
who being in the form of God thought it not a robbery to be equal with God; but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man,
but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man, and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross.
and being found in form like a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient even till death, and the death of the cross. Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name,
Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth,
that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of beings in heaven and in the earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
that you may be blameless and sincere, children of God without blame in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as luminaries in the world, holding fast the word of life, for my glorying in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, nor labor in vain.
do you also rejoice with the same joy and congratulate me. But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I may be refreshed when I know your affairs. read more. For I have no one like minded who really will care for your interests;
For I have no one like minded who really will care for your interests; for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know his tried virtue, that as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. read more. Him therefore I hope to send to you as soon as I know how it will be with me; and I hope in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, the brother and my fellow-laborer and fellow-soldier, but your apostle and servant of my need,
But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, the brother and my fellow-laborer and fellow-soldier, but your apostle and servant of my need, for he greatly desired you all and was anxious, because you heard that he was sick.
for he greatly desired you all and was anxious, because you heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick nigh to 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 nigh to death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him again you may rejoice and I be less sorrowful.
I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him again you may rejoice and I be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in estimation,
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in estimation, because on account of the work he was nigh to death, not having consulted properly for his life, that he might fully supply your lack of service to me.
because on account of the work he was nigh to death, not having consulted properly for his life, that he might fully supply your lack of service to me.
FINALLY, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord; for to write the same things to you is not grievous to me, and is safe for you.
FINALLY, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord; for to write the same things to you is not grievous to me, and is safe for you.
FINALLY, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord; for to write the same things to you is not grievous to me, and is safe for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision.
Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision.
Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision.
Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision.
Beware of the dogs, beware of evil laborers, beware of the concision.
But for the same reason also I consider all things to be a loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them worthless that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my righteousness by the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by the faith, read more. that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the participation of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, that I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Be followers of me, brothers, and observe those who walk so as you have us for an example. For many walk, of whom I told you often and now also tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ;
But our kingdom is in heaven, from which also we expect the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our humble body, and make it like his glorious body, by the power by which he is able also to subject all things to himself.
So, my beloved and much desired brothers, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
So, my beloved and much desired brothers, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I beseech Euodias and I beseech Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord.
I beseech Euodias and I beseech Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord.
I beseech Euodias and I beseech Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord. Yes, I beseech you also, faithful yoke-fellow, help those women who strove in the gospel with me, with Clement and the rest of my co-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Yes, I beseech you also, faithful yoke-fellow, help those women who strove in the gospel with me, with Clement and the rest of my co-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Yes, I beseech you also, faithful yoke-fellow, help those women who strove in the gospel with me, with Clement and the rest of my co-laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men; the Lord is near.
Let your gentleness be known to all men; the Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are reputable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, consider these things;
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are reputable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, consider these things;
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are reputable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, consider these things; and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
and what you learned and received and heard and knew in me, these things do; and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me].
But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me].
But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me].
But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, that now at length you began again to care for me, for whom also you did care, but had no opportunity [to serve me]. Not that I speak of want; for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am to be contented.
Not that I speak of want; for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am to be contented.
Not that I speak of want; for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am to be contented. I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; in every thing and in all conditions I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer want.
I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; in every thing and in all conditions I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer want.
I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound; in every thing and in all conditions I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer want. I endure all things with him that strengthens me.
I endure all things with him that strengthens me. But you did well to communicate with my affliction,
But you did well to communicate with my affliction, And you know also, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only;
And you know also, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica and once and again you sent to my need.
for even in Thessalonica and once and again you sent to my need. Not that I desire a gift, but I desire the fruit which abounds to your account.
Not that I desire a gift, but I desire the fruit which abounds to your account. But I have all things and abound, I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a perfume of good odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
But I have all things and abound, I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a perfume of good odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And God shall fully supply all your need, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
And God shall fully supply all your need, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever; amen. read more. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me salute you. All the saints salute you, especially those of Caesar's family.
All the saints salute you, especially those of Caesar's family. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.
and you being dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made you alive with him, having forgiven us all sins,
Tychicus will inform you of all things relating to me, who is a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord,