Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Ephesians Colossians
Philippians 4
Concise Complete
The apostle exhorts the Philippians to stand fast in
the Lord. (1) Gives directions to some, and to all in general. (2-9) Expresses
contentment in every condition of life. (10-19) He concludes with prayer to God
the Father, and his usual blessing. (20-23)
Verse 1 The
believing hope and prospect of eternal life, should make us steady and constant
in our Christian course. There is difference of gifts and graces, yet, being
renewed by the same Spirit, we are brethren. To stand fast in the Lord, is to
stand fast in his strength, and by his grace.
Verses 2-9 Let
believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. As the apostle had found
the benefit of their assistance, he knew how comfortable it would be to his
fellow-labourers to have the help of others. Let us seek to give assurance that
our names are written in the book of life. Joy in God is of great consequence in
the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. It
more than outweighs all causes for sorrow. Let their enemies perceive how
moderate they were as to outward things, and how composedly they suffered loss
and hardships. The day of judgment will soon arrive, with full redemption to
believers, and destruction to ungodly men. There is a care of diligence which is
our duty, and agrees with a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care
of fear and distrust, which is sin and folly, and only perplexes and distracts
the mind. As a remedy against perplexing care, constant prayer is recommended.
Not only stated times for prayer, but in every thing by prayer. We must join
thanksgivings with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good,
but own the mercies we have received. God needs not to be told our wants or
desires; he knows them better than we do; but he will have us show that we value
the mercy, and feel our dependence on him. The peace of God, the comfortable
sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope
of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed.
This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us
from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with
inward satisfaction. Believers are to get and to keep a good name; a name for
good things with God and good men. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and
abide therein; then, whether our praise is of men or not, it will be of God. The
apostle is for an example. His doctrine and life agreed together. The way to
have the God of peace with us, is to keep close to our duty. All our privileges
and salvation arise in the free mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends
on our sincere and holy conduct. These are works of God, pertaining to God, and
to him only are they to be ascribed, and to no other, neither men, words, nor
deeds.
Verses 10-19
It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of
true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their
troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds,
imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring
his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain
hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present
things, make men discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray
for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly
mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always.
And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence,
nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to
be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the
temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and
want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such
kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace
to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have
all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.
Verses 20-23
The apostle ends with praises to God. We should look upon God, under all our
weakness and fears, not as an enemy, but as a Father, disposed to pity us and
help us. We must give glory to God as a Father. God's grace and favour, which
reconciled souls enjoy, with the whole of the graces in us, which flow from it,
are all purchased for us by Christ's merit, and applied by his pleading for us;
and therefore are justly called the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4:
| 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
