Introduction:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Ephesians Colossians
Introduction to Philippians
In the epistle to the Philippians we find much more of christian
experience, and the development of the exercise of the heart, than in the
generality of the epistles. It is in fact proper christian experience.
Doctrine and practice are found in them all, but, with the exception of the
second to Timothy which is of another nature, there is none that contains
like this, the expression of the Christian's experience in this toilsome
life, and the resources which are open to him in passing through it, and
the motives which ought to govern him. We may even say that this epistle
gives us the experience of christian life in its highest and most perfect
expression-say, rather, its normal condition under the power of the Spirit
of God. God has condescended to furnish us with this beautiful picture of
it, as well as with the truths that enlighten us, and the rules that direct
our walk.
The occasion for it was quite natural. Paul was in prison, and the
Philippians (who were very dear to him, and who, at the commencement of his
labours, had testified their affection for him by similar gifts) had just
sent assistance to the apostle by the hand of Epaphroditus at a moment
when, as it appears, he had been for some time in need. A prison, need, the
consciousness that the assembly of God was deprived of his watchful care,
this expression on the part of the Philippians of the love that thought of
him in his necessities, although at a distance-what could be more adapted
to open the apostle's heart, and lead to his expressing the confidence in
God that animated him, as well as what he felt with regard to the assembly,
unsupported now by his apostolic care, and having to trust God Himself
without any intermediate help? And it was most natural that he should pour
out his feelings into the bosom of these beloved Philippians, who had just
given him this proof of their affection. The apostle therefore speaks more
than once of the Philippians' fellowship with the gospel: that is to say,
they took part in the labours, the trials, the necessities which the
preaching of the gospel occasioned to those who devoted themselves to it.
Their hearts united them to it-like those of whom the Lord speaks who
received a prophet in the name of a prophet.
This brought the apostle into a peculiarly intimate connection with this
assembly; and he and Timotheus, who had accompanied him in his labours in
Macedonia, his true son in the faith and in the work, address themselves to
the saints and to those who bore office in this particular assembly. This
is not an epistle which soars to the height of God's counsels, like that to
the Ephesians, or which regulates the godly order which becomes Christians
everywhere, like the two to the Corinthians; nor is it one which lays the
foundation for the relationship of a soul with God, like that to the
Romans. Neither was it destined to guard Christians against the errors that
were creeping in among them, like some of the others which were written by
our apostle. It takes the ground of the precious inner life, of the common
affection of Christians towards each other, but of that affection as
experienced in the heart of Paul, animated and directed by the Holy Ghost.
Hence also we find the ordinary relationships which existed within an
assembly: there are bishops and deacons, and it was the more important to
remember them, since the immediate care of the apostle was no longer
possible. The absence of this immediate care forms the basis of the
apostle's instructions here, and gives its peculiar importance to the
epistle.
Introduction:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Ephesians Colossians
This version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1995 by L. Hodgett. Used by permission. This material may be freely copied for private use or for distribution without charge but must not be used commercially without written permission from the compiler--L. Hodgett. A special thanks to L. Hodgett for permission to create and post this version of Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
