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, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
And when we came into Rome, they let Paul have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him.
But for this reason I sent for you, to see and have talk with you: for because of the hope of Israel I am in these chains.
And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him,
And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him,
And for the space of two years, Paul was living in the house of which he had the use, and had talk with all those who went in to see him, Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.
Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.
We are without fear, desiring to be free from the body, and to be with the Lord.
And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news, For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons of the church:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons of the church:
So it is right for me to take thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news, making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace.
Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences;
Now it is my purpose to make clear to you, brothers, that the cause of the good news has been helped by my experiences; So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;
So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;
So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;
So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ;
So that it became clear through all the Praetorium, and to all the rest, that I was a prisoner on account of Christ; And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear.
And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear.
And most of the brothers in the Lord, taking heart because of my chains, are all the stronger to give the word of God without fear. Though some are preaching Christ out of envy and competition, others do it out of a good heart: read more. These do it from love, conscious that I am responsible for the cause of the good news: But those are preaching Christ in a spirit of competition, not from their hearts, but with the purpose of giving me pain in my prison. What then? only that in every way, falsely or truly, the preaching of Christ goes on; and in this I am glad, and will be glad.
I am in a hard position between the two, having a desire to go away and be with Christ, which is very much better:
Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account:
Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account: Fighting the same fight which you saw in me, and now have word of in me.
Fighting the same fight which you saw in me, and now have word of in me.
If then there is any comfort in Christ, any help given by love, any uniting of hearts in the Spirit, any loving mercies and pity, Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in harmony and of one mind;
And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all:
And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all: And in the same way do you be glad and have a part in my joy.
And in the same way do you be glad and have a part in my joy. But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you.
But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you.
But I am hoping in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you before long, so that I may be comforted when I have news of you. For I have no man of like mind who will truly have care for you.
For I have no man of like mind who will truly have care for you. For they all go after what is theirs, not after the things of Christ. read more. But his quality is clear to you; how, as a child is to its father, so he was a help to me in the work of the good news. Him then I am hoping to send as quickly as possible, when I am able to see how things will go for me:
Him then I am hoping to send as quickly as possible, when I am able to see how things will go for me: But I have faith in the Lord that I myself will come before long.
But I have faith in the Lord that I myself will come before long. But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;
But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;
But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need;
But it seemed to me necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, who has taken part with me in the work and in the fight, and your servant, sent by you for help in my need; Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:
Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:
Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill:
Because his heart was with you all, and he was greatly troubled because you had news that he was ill: For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.
For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.
For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief.
For in fact he was ill almost to death: but God had mercy on him; and not only on him but on me, so that I might not have grief on grief. I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.
I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow.
I have sent him, then, the more gladly, so that when you see him again, you may be happy and I may have the less sorrow. So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is:
So take him to your hearts in the Lord with all joy, and give honour to such as he is: Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, putting his life in danger to make your care for me complete.
Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, putting his life in danger to make your care for me complete.
Because for the work of Christ he was near to death, putting his life in danger to make your care for me complete.
For the rest, my brothers, be glad in the Lord. Writing the same things to you is no trouble to me, and for you it is safe. Be on the watch against dogs, against the workers of evil, against those of the circumcision: read more. For we are the circumcision, who give worship to God and have glory in Jesus Christ, and have no faith in the flesh: Even though I myself might have faith in the flesh: if any other man has reason to have faith in the flesh, I have more: Being given circumcision on the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in relation to the law, a Pharisee: In bitter hate I was cruel to the church; I kept all the righteousness of the law to the last detail. But those things which were profit to me, I gave up for Christ. Yes truly, and I am ready to give up all things for the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, which is more than all: for whom I have undergone the loss of all things, and to me they are less than nothing, so that I may have Christ as my reward, And be seen in him, not having my righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may have knowledge of him, and of the power of his coming back from the dead, and a part with him in his pains, becoming like him in his death; If in any way I may have the reward of life from the dead.
If in any way I may have the reward of life from the dead. Not as if I had even now got the reward or been made complete: but I go on in the hope that I may come to the knowledge of that for which I was made the servant of Christ Jesus. read more. Brothers, it is clear to me that I have not come to that knowledge; but one thing I do, letting go those things which are past, and stretching out to the things which are before, I go forward to the mark, even the reward of the high purpose of God in Christ Jesus. Then let us all, who have come to full growth, be of this mind: and if in anything you are of a different mind, even this will God make clear to you:
So my brothers, well loved and very dear to me, my joy and crown, be strong in the Lord, my loved ones. I make request to Euodias and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
But I am very glad in the Lord that your care for me has come to life again; though you did in fact take thought for me, but you were not able to give effect to it. But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself. read more. It is the same to me if I am looked down on or honoured; everywhere and in all things I have the secret of how to be full and how to go without food; how to have wealth and how to be in need. I am able to do all things through him who gives me strength. But you did well to have care for me in my need. And you have knowledge, Philippians, that when the good news first came to you, when I went away from Macedonia, no church took part with me in the business of giving to the saints, but you only; Because even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to me in my need. Not that I am looking for an offering, but for fruit which may be put to your credit. I have all things and more than enough: I am made full, having had from Epaphroditus the things which came from you, a perfume of a sweet smell, an offering well pleasing to God.
All the saints send their love to you, specially those who are of Caesar's house.
Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love.
And make a room ready for me; for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.