1.
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2.
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Verse 2
Fulfill ye my joy; make my joy complete and full.--That ye be like-minded; that ye be agreed in mind.
3.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Verse 4
His own things; his own attainments and excellences.
5.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Verse 6
In the form of God; in respect to his divine nature and character. There has been much discussion in respect to the import of the phrase translated "thought it not robbery to be equal with God;" the meaning, however, of the whole passage is clear. The example of Christ is appealed to as an example of condescension, and of a willingness to humble one's self for the good of others. The meaning, therefore, is, that he voluntarily gave up the glory which he had with the Father, (John 17:5; John 1:1,) to become a man, and pass a life of ignominy and suffering upon the earth for the good of mankind. The passage seems to involve, in the most unequivocal manner, the idea that, in the case of Christ, birth was not the commencement of existence to the subject of it,--but that it was the mysterious assuming of human nature by a being who voluntarily descended to it from a previous condition of the highest glory.
7.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11.
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Verse 12
With fear and trembling; with earnest solicitude.
13.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Verse 13
Both to will and to do; that is, the very disposition to turn to him, as well as every act of obedience, comes from his influence and agency. It is very remarkable that this absolute dependence upon God, far from being allowed to encourage sloth and inaction, is made, by the apostle, the motive for the utmost diligence and solicitude in seeking salvation. We might theoretically expect that the effect would be the reverse; but in the experience of believers the result corresponds with this injunction of the apostle. In all ages, they who have felt most fully the helpless condition of the human soul while in its sins, and its entire dependence on a re-creating influence from above, have been most solicitous and most active in personal efforts of preparation for heaven.
14.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15.
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16.
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Verse 16
Holding forth the word of life; exhibiting its power and influence in the example of your life and conversation.
17.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Verse 17
Upon the sacrifice; as a sacrifice.
18.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19.
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Verse 19
When I know your state; by means of the account which Timothy would give on his return.
20.
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Verse 20
Like-minded; that is, with Timothy; no one who would feel so deep an interest in their welfare.--Naturally care. Timothy had been with Paul when he preached at Philippi, and would consequently feel a natural interest in that church.
21.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22.
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23.
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
Verse 23
How it will go with me; in respect to the result of his imprisonment.
24.
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25.
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Verse 25
Your messenger; the one whom they had sent to Paul from Philippi, with their contribution for his wants. (Philippians 4:18.)
26.
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27.
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Verse 27
Sorrow upon sorrow. The death of Epaphroditus at Rome, far from his home, whither he had come on Paul's account, would of course have been a very severe trial to the mind of the apostle.
28.
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Verse 28
I sent him--the more carefully; I was the more careful or anxious to send him.
29.
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30.
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Verse 30
Nigh unto death; as mentioned above. (Philippians 2:27.)--Your lack of service, your need of service. That is, he hazarded his life in executing the commission necessary to accomplish their kind designs towards him.