2. Fulfil--that is, Make full. I have joy in you, complete it by
that which is still wanting, namely, unity
(Php 1:9).
likeminded--literally, "that ye be of the same mind"; more general
than the following "of one mind."
having the same love--equally disposed to love and be loved.
being of one accord--literally, "with united souls." This pairs
with the following clause, thus, "With united souls, being of one mind";
as the former two also pair together, "That ye be likeminded, having the
same love."
3. Let nothing be done--The italicized words are not in the
Greek. Perhaps the ellipsis had better be supplied from the Greek
(Php 2:2),
"Thinking nothing in the way of strife" (or rather, "factious
intrigue," "self-seeking," see on
Php 1:16).
It is the thought which characterizes the action as good or bad
before God.
lowliness of mind--The direct relation of this grace is to God
alone; it is the sense of dependence of the creature on the Creator as
such, and it places all created beings in this respect on a level. The
man "lowly of mind" as to his spiritual life is independent of men, and
free from all slavish feeling, while sensible of his continual
dependence on God. Still it INDIRECTLY affects his behavior toward his
fellow men; for, conscious of his entire dependence on God for all his
abilities, even as they are dependent on God for theirs, he will not
pride himself on his abilities, or exalt self in his conduct toward
others
(Eph 4:2;
Col 3:12)
[NEANDER].
let each esteem--Translate as Greek, "esteeming each other superior
to yourselves." Instead of fixing your eyes on those points in which
you excel, fix them on those in which your neighbor excels you: this is
true "humility."
5. The oldest manuscripts read, "Have this mind in you," &c. He does not put forward himself (see on Php 2:4, and Php 1:24) as an example, but Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but "humbled Himself" (Php 2:8), first in taking on Him our nature, secondly, in humbling Himself further in that nature (Ro 15:3).
6. Translate, "Who subsisting (or existing, namely, originally: the Greek is not the simple substantive verb, 'to be') in the form of God (the divine essence is not meant: but the external self-manifesting characteristics of God, the form shining forth from His glorious essence). The divine nature had infinite BEAUTY in itself, even without any creature contemplating that beauty: that beauty was 'the form of God'; as 'the form of a servant' (Php 2:7), which is in contrasted opposition to it, takes for granted the existence of His human nature, so 'the form of God' takes for granted His divine nature [BENGEL], Compare Joh 5:37; 17:5; Col 1:15, 'Who is the IMAGE of the invisible God' at a time before 'every creature,' 2Co 4:4, esteemed (the same Greek verb as in Php 2:3) His being on an equality with God no (act of) robbery" or self-arrogation; claiming to one's self what does not belong to him. ELLICOTT, WAHL, and others have translated, "A thing to be grasped at," which would require the Greek to be harpagma, whereas harpagmos means the act of seizing. So harpagmos means in the only other passage where it occurs, PLUTARCH [On the Education of Children, 120]. The same insuperable objection lies against ALFORD'S translation, "He regarded not as self-enrichment (that is, an opportunity for self-exaltation) His equality with God." His argument is that the antithesis (Php 2:7) requires it, "He used His equality with God as an opportunity, not for self-exaltation, but for self-abasement, or emptying Himself." But the antithesis is not between His being on an equality with God, and His emptying Himself; for He never emptied Himself of the fulness of His Godhead, or His "BEING on an equality with God"; but between His being "in the FORM (that is, the outward glorious self-manifestation) of God," and His "taking on Him the form of a servant," whereby He in a great measure emptied Himself of His precedent "form," or outward self-manifesting glory as God. Not "looking on His own things" (Php 2:4), He, though existing in the form of God, He esteemed it no robbery to be on an equality with God, yet made Himself of no reputation. "Being on an equality with God, is not identical with subsisting in the form of God"; the latter expresses the external characteristics, majesty, and beauty of the Deity, which "He emptied Himself of," to assume "the form of a servant"; the former, "HIS BEING," or NATURE, His already existing STATE OF EQUALITY with God, both the Father and the Son having the same ESSENCE. A glimpse of Him "in the form of God," previous to His incarnation, was given to Moses (Ex 24:10, 11), Aaron, &c.
7. made himself of no reputation, and . . . and--rather as the Greek, "emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." The two latter clauses (there being no conjunctions, "and . . . and," in the Greek) expresses in what Christ's "emptying of Himself" consists, namely, in "taking the form of a servant" (see on Heb 10:5; compare Ex 21:5, 6, and Ps 40:6, proving that it was at the time when He assumed a body, He took "the form of a servant"), and in order to explain how He took "the form of a servant," there is added, by "being made in the likeness of men." His subjection to the law (Lu 2:21; Ga 4:4) and to His parents (Lu 2:51), His low state as a carpenter, and carpenter's reputed son (Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3), His betrayal for the price of a bond-servant (Ex 21:32), and slave-like death to relieve us from the slavery of sin and death, finally and chiefly, His servant-like dependence as man on God, while His divinity was not outwardly manifested (Isa 49:3, 7), are all marks of His "form as a servant." This proves: (1) He was in the form of a servant as soon as He was made man. (2) He was "in the form of God" before He was "in the form of a servant." (3) He did as really subsist in the divine nature, as in the form of a servant, or in the nature of man. For He was as much "in the form of God" as "in the form of a servant"; and was so in the form of God as "to be on an equality with God"; He therefore could have been none other than God; for God saith, "To whom will ye liken Me and make Me equal?" (Isa 46:5), [BISHOP PEARSON]. His emptying Himself presupposes His previous plenitude of Godhead (Joh 1:14; Col 1:19; 2:9). He remained full of this; yet He bore Himself as if He were empty.
8. being found in fashion as a man--being already, by His "emptying Himself," in the form of a servant, or likeness of man (Ro 8:3), "He humbled Himself (still further by) becoming obedient even unto death (not as English Version, 'He humbled Himself and became,'&c.; the Greek has no 'and,' and has the participle, not the verb), and that the death of the cross." "Fashion" expresses that He had the outward guise, speech, and look. In Php 2:7, in the Greek, the emphasis is on Himself (which stands before the Greek verb), "He emptied Himself," His divine self, viewed in respect to what He had heretofore been; in Php 2:8 the emphasis is on "humbled" (which stands before the Greek "Himself"); He not only "emptied Himself" of His previous "form of God," but submitted to positive HUMILIATION. He "became obedient," namely, to God, as His "servant" (Ro 5:19; Heb 5:8). Therefore "God" is said to "exalt" Him (Php 2:9), even as it was God to whom He became voluntarily "obedient." "Even unto death" expresses the climax of His obedience (Joh 10:18).
9. Wherefore--as the just consequence of His self-humiliation and
obedience
(Ps 8:5, 6; 110:1, 7;
Mt 28:18;
Lu 24:26;
Joh 5:27; 10:17;
Ro 14:9;
Eph 1:20-22;
Heb 2:9).
An intimation, that if we would hereafter be exalted, we too must,
after His example, now humble ourselves
(Php 2:3, 5;
Php 3:21;
1Pe 5:5, 6).
Christ emptied Christ; God exalted Christ as man to equality with God
[BENGEL].
highly exalted--Greek, "super-eminently exalted"
(Eph 4:10).
given him--Greek, "bestowed on Him."
a name--along with the corresponding reality, glory and majesty.
which--Translate, namely, "that which is above every name." The name
"JESUS"
(Php 2:10),
which is even now in glory His name of honor
(Ac 9:5).
"Above" not only men, but angels
(Eph 1:21).
10. at the name--rather as Greek, "in the name."
bow--rather, "bend," in token of worship. Referring to
Isa 45:23;
quoted also in
Ro 14:11.
To worship "in the name of Jesus," is to worship Jesus Himself
(compare
Php 2:11;
Pr 18:10),
or God in Christ
(Joh 16:23;
Eph 3:14).
Compare "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (that
is, whosoever shall call on the Lord in His revealed character)
shall be saved"
(Ro 10:13;
1Co 1:2);
"all that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (compare
2Ti 2:22);
"call on the Lord";
Ac 7:59,
"calling upon . . . and saying, Lord Jesus"
(Ac 9:14, 21; 22:16).
of things in heaven--angels. They worship Him not only as God, but
as the ascended God-man, "Jesus"
(Eph 1:21;
Heb 1:6;
1Pe 3:22).
in earth--men; among whom He tabernacled for a time.
under the earth--the dead; among whom He was numbered once
(Ro 14:9, 11;
Eph 4:9, 10;
Re 5:13).
The demons and the lost may be included indirectly, as even they
give homage, though one of fear, not love, to Jesus
(Mr 3:11;
Lu 8:31;
Jas 2:19,
see on
Php 2:11).
11. every tongue--Compare "every knee"
(Php 2:10).
In every way He shall be acknowledged as Lord (no longer as
"servant,"
Php 2:7).
As none can fully do so "but by the Holy Ghost"
(1Co 12:3),
the spirits of good men who are dead, must be the class directly
meant,
Php 2:10,
"under the earth."
to the glory of God the Father--the grand end of Christ's mediatorial
office and kingdom, which shall cease when this end shall have been
fully realized
(Joh 5:19-23, 30; 17:1, 4-7;
1Co 15:24-28).
12. Wherefore--Seeing that we have in Christ such a specimen of
glory resulting from "obedience"
(Php 2:8)
and humiliation, see that ye also be "obedient," and so "your
salvation" shall follow your obedience.
as ye have . . . obeyed--"even as ye have
been obedient," namely, to God, as Jesus was "obedient" unto God
(see on
Php 2:8).
not as, &c.--"not as if" it were a matter to be done "in my
presence only, but now (as things are) much more (with more earnestness)
in my absence (because my help is withdrawn from you)" [ALFORD].
work out--carry out to its full perfection. "Salvation" is "worked
in"
(Php 2:13;
Eph 1:11)
believers by the Spirit, who enables them through faith to be justified
once for all; but it needs, as a progressive work, to be "worked
out" by obedience, through the help of the same Spirit, unto
perfection
(2Pe 1:5-8).
The sound Christian neither, like the formalist, rests in the means,
without looking to the end, and to the Holy Spirit who alone can make
the means effectual; nor, like the fanatic, hopes to attain the end
without the means.
your own--The emphasis is on this. Now that I am not present to
further the work of your salvation, "work out your own salvation"
yourselves the more carefully. Do not think this work cannot go on
because I am absent; "for
(Php 2:13)
it is God that worketh in you," &c. In this case adopt a rule different
from the former
(Php 2:4),
but resting on the same principle of "lowliness of mind"
(Php 2:3),
namely, "look each on his own things," instead of "disputings"
with others
(Php 2:14).
salvation--which is in "Jesus"
(Php 2:10),
as His name (meaning God-Saviour) implies.
with fear and trembling--the very feeling enjoined on
"servants," as to what ought to accompany their "obedience"
(Eph 6:5).
So here: See that, as "servants" to God, after the example of Christ,
ye be so "with the fear and trembling" which becomes servants; not
slavish fear, but trembling anxiety not to fall short of the
goal
(1Co 9:26, 27;
Heb 4:1,
"Let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest,
any should come short of it"), resulting from a sense of our human
insufficiency, and from the consciousness that all depends on the power
of God, "who worketh both to will and to do"
(Ro 11:20).
"Paul, though joyous, writes seriously" [J. J. WOLF].
13. For--encouragement to work: "For it is God who worketh in
you," always present with you, though I be absent. It is not said,
"Work out your own salvation, though it is God," &c., but,
"because it is God who," &c. The will, and the power
to work, being first instalments of His grace, encourage us to
make full proof of, and carry out to the end, the "salvation" which He
has first "worked," and is still "working in" us, enabling us to
"work it out." "Our will does nothing thereunto without grace;
but grace is inactive without our will" [ST.
BERNARD]. Man is, in different senses, entirely
active, and entirely passive: God producing all, and we acting
all. What He produced is our own acts. It is not that God does
some, and we the rest. God does all, and we do all. God is the only
proper author, we the only proper actors. Thus the same things in
Scripture are represented as from God, and from us. God makes a new
heart, and we are commanded to make us a new heart; not merely because
we must use the means in order to the effect, but the effect itself is
our act and our duty
(Eze 11:19; 18:31; 36:26)
[EDWARDS].
worketh--rather as Greek, "worketh effectually." We cannot of
ourselves embrace the Gospel of grace: "the will"
(Ps 110:3;
2Co 3:5)
comes solely of God's gift to whom He will
(Joh 6:44, 65);
so also the power "to do" (rather, "to work effectually," as the
Greek is the same as that for "worketh in"), that is, effectual
perseverance to the end, is wholly of God's gift
(Php 1:6;
Heb 13:21).
of his good pleasure--rather as Greek, "FOR
His good pleasure";
in order to carry out His sovereign gracious purpose towards you
(Eph 1:5, 9).
14. murmurings--secret murmurings and complaints against your
fellow men arising from selfishness: opposed to the example of Jesus
just mentioned (compare the use of the word,
Joh 7:12, 13;
Ac 6:1;
1Pe 4:9;
Jude 16).
disputings--The Greek is translated "doubting" in
1Ti 2:8.
But here referring to profitless "disputings" with our fellow men, in
relation to whom we are called on to be "blameless and harmless"
(Php 2:15):
so the Greek is translated,
Mr 9:33, 34.
These disputings flow from "vain glory" reprobated
(Php 2:3);
and abounded among the Aristotelian philosophers in Macedon, where
Philippi was.
15. blameless and harmless--without either the repute of mischief, or
the inclination to do it [ALFORD].
sons--rather as Greek, "the children of God"
(Ro 8:14-16).
Imitation of our heavenly Father is the instinctive guide to our duty
as His children, more than any external law
(Mt 5:44, 45, 48).
without rebuke--"without (giving handle for) reproach." The whole
verse tacitly refers by contrast to
De 32:5,
"Their spot . . . not . . . of His
children . . . a perverse and crooked
generation" (compare
1Pe 2:12).
ye shine--literally, "appear" [TRENCH]. "Show yourselves"
(compare
Mt 5:14-16;
Eph 5:8-13).
as lights in the world--The Greek expresses "as luminaries in the world," as the sun and moon, "the lights," or "great lights," in
the material world or in the firmament. The Septuagint uses the
very same Greek word in the passage,
Ge 1:14, 16;
compare Note,, see on
Re 21:11.
16. Holding forth--to them, and so applying it (the
common meaning of the Greek; perhaps here including also the
other meaning, "holding fast"). The image of
light-bearers or luminaries is carried on from
Php 2:15.
As the heavenly luminaries' light is closely connected with the
life of animals, so ye hold forth the light of Christ's "word"
(received from me) which is the "life" of the Gentiles
(Joh 1:4;
1Jo 1:1, 5-7).
Christ is "the Light of the world"
(Joh 8:12);
believers are only "light-bearers" reflecting His light.
that I may rejoice in--literally, "with a view to (your being)
a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ"
(Php 4:1;
2Co 1:14;
1Th 2:19).
that I have not run in vain--that it was not in vain that I labored
for your spiritual good.
17. Yea, and if--rather as Greek, "Yea, if even"; implying that
he regarded the contingency as not unlikely: He had assumed the
possibility of his being found alive at Christ's coming (for in
every age Christ designed Christians to stand in preparedness for His
coming as at hand): he here puts a supposition which he regards as more
likely, namely, his own death before Christ's coming.
I be offered--rather as Greek, "I am poured out." "I am made a
libation." Present, not future, as the danger is threatening him
now. As in sacrifices libations of wine were "poured upon" the
offerings, so he represents his Philippian converts, offered through
faith (or else their faith itself), as the sacrifice, and
his blood as the libation "poured upon" it (compare
Ro 15:16;
2Ti 4:6).
service--Greek, "priest's ministration"; carrying out the image
of a sacrifice.
I joy--for myself
(Php 1:21, 23).
His expectation of release from prison is much fainter, than in the
Epistles to Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, written somewhat
earlier from Rome. The appointment of Tigellinus to be Prætorian
Prefect was probably the cause of this change. See
Introduction.
rejoice with you all--ALFORD translates, "I congratulate you all,"
namely on the honor occurring to you by my blood being poured out on the
sacrifice of your faith. If they rejoiced already (as
English Version represents), what need of his urging them, "Do
ye also joy."
18. "Do ye also rejoice" at this honor to you, "and congratulate me" on my blessed "gain" (Php 1:21).
19.
Php 2:22,
"ye know the proof of him . . . that . . . he hath
served with me," implies that Timothy had been long with Paul at
Philippi; Accordingly, in the history
(Ac 16:1-4; 17:10, 14),
we find them setting out together from Derbe in Lycaonia, and
together again at Berea in Macedonia, near the conclusion of
Paul's missionary journey: an undesigned coincidence between the
Epistle and history, a mark of genuineness [PALEY]. From
Php 2:19-30,
it appears Epaphroditus was to set out at once to allay the anxiety of
the Philippians on his account, and at the same time bearing the
Epistle; Timothy was to follow after the apostle's liberation was
decided, when they could arrange their plans more definitely as to
where Timothy should, on his return with tidings from Philippi,
meet Paul, who was designing by a wider circuit, and slower progress,
to reach that city. Paul's reason for sending Timothy so soon after
having heard of the Philippians from Epaphroditus was that they were
now suffering persecutions
(Php 1:28-30);
and besides, Epaphroditus' delay through sickness on his journey to
Rome from Philippi, made the tidings he brought to be of less recent
date than Paul desired. Paul himself also hoped to visit them shortly.
But I trust--Yet my death is by no means certain; yea, "I hope (Greek) in the Lord (that is, by the Lord's help)"
unto you--literally, "for you," that is, to your satisfaction,
not merely motion, to you.
I also--that not only you "may be of good courage" (so
Greek) on hearing of me
(Php 2:23),
but "I also, when I know your state."
20. His reason for sending Timothy above all others: I have none so
"like-minded," literally, "like-souled," with myself as is Timothy.
Compare
De 13:6,
"Thy friend which is as thine own soul"
(Ps 55:14).
Paul's second self.
naturally--Greek, "genuinely"; "with sincere solicitude." A
case wherein the Spirit of God so changed man's nature, that to be
natural was with him to be spiritual: the great point to be
aimed at.
21. Translate as Greek, "They all" (namely, who are now with
me,
Php 1:14, 17;
Php 4:21:
such Demas, then with him, proved to be,
Col 4:14;
compare
2Ti 4:10;
Phm 24).
seek their own--opposed to Paul's precept
(Php 2:4;
1Co 10:24, 33; 13:5).
This is spoken, by comparison with Timothy; for
Php 1:16, 17
implies that some of those with Paul at Rome were genuine Christians,
though not so self-sacrificing as Timothy. Few come to the help of the
Lord's cause, where ease, fame, and gain have to be sacrificed. Most
help only when Christ's gain is compatible with their own
(Jud 5:17, 23).
22. Rare praise
(Ne 7:2).
as a son with the father--Translate, "as a
child (serveth) a father."
served with me--When we might expect the sentence to run thus.
"As a child serveth a father, so he served me"; he
changes it to "served with me" in modesty; as Christians are not
servants TO one another," but
servants of God WITH one another
(compare
Php 3:17).
in the gospel--Greek, "unto," or "for the Gospel."
23. so soon as I shall see--that is, so soon as I shall have known for certain.
24. also myself--as well as Timothy.
25. I supposed--"I thought it necessary."
to send--It was properly a sending Epaphroditus back
(Php 4:18).
But as he had come intending to stay some time with Paul, the latter
uses the word "send" (compare
Php 2:30).
fellow soldier--in the "good fight" of faith
(Php 1:27, 30;
2Ti 2:3; 4:7).
your messenger--literally, "apostle." The "apostles" or "messengers
of the churches"
(Ro 16:7;
2Co 8:23),
were distinct from the "apostles" specially commissioned by
Christ, as the Twelve and Paul.
ministered to my wants--by conveying the contributions from Philippi.
The Greek "leitourgon," literally, implies
ministering in the ministerial office. Probably Epaphroditus was a
presbyter or else a deacon.
26. For--reason for thinking it "necessary to send" "Epaphroditus.
Translate as Greek, "Inasmuch as he was longing after you
all."
full of heaviness--The Greek expresses the being
worn out and overpowered with heavy grief.
because that ye had heard that he had been sick--rather, "that he
was sick." He felt how exceedingly saddened you would be in hearing it;
and he now is hastening to relieve your minds of the anxiety.
27. Epaphroditus' sickness proves that the apostles had not ordinarily
the permanent gift of miracles, any more than of inspiration: both
were vouchsafed to them only for each particular occasion, as the Spirit
thought fit.
lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow--namely, the sorrow of losing
him by death, in addition to the sorrow of my imprisonment. Here only
occurs anything of a sorrowful tone in this Epistle, which generally is
most joyous.
29. Receive him--There seems to be something behind respecting him.
If extreme affection had been the sole ground of his "heaviness," no
such exhortation would have been needed [ALFORD].
in reputation--"in honor."
30. for the work of Christ--namely, the bringing of a supply to me,
the minister of Christ. He was probably in a delicate state of health in
setting out from Philippi; but at all hazards he undertook this service
of Christian love, which cost him a serious sickness.
not regarding his life--Most of the oldest manuscripts read,
"hazarding," &c.
to supply your lack of service--Not that Paul would imply, they
lacked the will: what they "lacked" was the "opportunity"
by which to send their accustomed bounty
(Php 4:10).
"That which ye would have done if you could (but which you could not
through absence), he did for you; therefore receive him with all joy"
[ALFORD].
Php 2:1-30. CONTINUED EXHORTATION: TO UNITY: TO HUMILITY AFTER CHRIST'S EXAMPLE, WHOSE GLORY FOLLOWED HIS HUMILIATION: TO EARNESTNESS IN SEEKING PERFECTION, THAT THEY MAY BE HIS JOY IN THE DAY OF CHRIST: HIS JOYFUL READINESS TO BE OFFERED NOW BY DEATH, SO AS TO PROMOTE THEIR FAITH. HIS INTENTION TO SEND TIMOTHY: HIS SENDING EPAPHRODITUS MEANTIME.
1. The "therefore" implies that he is here expanding on the exhortation (Php 1:27), "In one Spirit, with one mind (soul)." He urges four influencing motives in this verse, to inculcate the four Christian duties corresponding respectively to them (Php 2:2). "That ye be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind"; (1) "If there be (with you) any consolation in Christ," that is, any consolation of which Christ is the source, leading you to wish to console me in my afflictions borne for Christ's sake, ye owe it to me to grant my request "that ye be like-minded" [CHRYSOSTOM and ESTIUS]: (2) "If there be any comfort of (that is, flowing from) love," the adjunct of "consolation in Christ"; (3) "If any fellowship of (communion together as Christians, flowing from joint participation in) the Spirit" (2Co 13:14). As Pagans meant literally those who were of one village, and drank of one fountain, how much greater is the union which conjoins those who drink of the same Spirit! (1Co 12:4, 13) [GROTIUS]: (4) "If any bowels (tender emotions) and mercies (compassions)," the adjuncts of "fellowship of the Spirit." The opposites of the two pairs, into which the four fall, are reprobated, Php 2:3, 4.