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
Philippians 1
Concise Complete
The apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for
the good work of grace in the Philippians. (1-7) He expresses affection, and
prays for them. (8-11) Fortifies them against being cast down at his sufferings.
(12-20) He stood prepared for glorifying Christ by life, or death. (21-26)
Exhortations to zeal, and constancy in professing the gospel. (27-30)
Verses 1-7 The
highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be servants of Christ. And
those who are not really saints on earth, never will be saints in heaven. Out of
Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. There is no
peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine favour. And
there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of
all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit
of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank our God for the
graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we receive the benefit,
and God receives the glory. The work of grace will never be perfected till the
day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may always be confident
God will perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has really begun it by
regeneration; though we must not trust in outward appearances, nor in any thing
but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to their ministers, when they
receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should
be dear one to another.
Verses 8-11
Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who
abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may
approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are
excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind.
Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it
is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence,
and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which
most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any
good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge,
and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.
Verses 12-20
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he
shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him
known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire
after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How
wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and
to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was
easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we
ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ;
and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and
hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be
upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ,
which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or
suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him,
or dying to his honour in suffering for him.
Verses 21-26
Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly
comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end
of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and
brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between
living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no
comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in
another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to
Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can
make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with
Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But
those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in
the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected
mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.
Verses 27-30
Those who profess the gospel of Christ, should live as becomes those who believe
gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and depend upon gospel promises. The
original word "conversation" denotes the conduct of citizens who seek the
credit, safety, peace, and prosperity of their city. There is that in the faith
of the gospel, which is worth striving for; there is much opposition, and there
is need of striving. A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who would go to
heaven, must look about him and be diligent. There may be oneness of heart and
affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment about many
things. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ; the ability and disposition
to believe are from God. And if we suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are
to reckon them a gift, and prize them accordingly. Yet salvation must not be
ascribed to bodily afflictions, as though afflictions and worldly persecutions
deserved it; but from God only is salvation: faith and patience are his gifts.
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
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
