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,
If. App-118 .
consolation . Greek. paraklesis. See Luke 6:24 . See App-134 .
in . App-104 .
Christ . App-98 .
comfort . Greek. stimulating force, incentive. Greek. paramuthion. Only here. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:8 . John 11:19 ,
love . App-135 .
Spirit . App-101 . There is no article, and the whole context is an exhortation to being of one mind. Compare Philippians 1:27 .
bowels . See Philippians 1:8 .
mercies . Greek. oiktirmos. See Romans 12:1 .
2.
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Fulfil = Complete. App-125 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
be likeminded = mind, or think the same thing. Greek. phroneo.
of one accord . Greek. sumpsuchos . Only here.
of one mind = minding (Greek. phroneo, as above) the one thing.
3.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
nothing. Greek medeis.
through = according to. App-104 .
strife . Greek. eritheia . See Philippians 1:16 .
vainglory . Greek. kenodoxia. Only here.
in = by. No preposition. Dative case.
lowliness of mind . Greek. tapeinophrosune. See Acts 20:19 .
let each , &c. = reckoning one another.
better . Greek. huperecho, See Romans 13:1 .
4.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Look. Greek. slopeo. See Luke 11:35 .
not . App-105 .
every man = each one.
also , &c. = on the things of others also.
others . App-124 .
5.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Let , &c. Literally Mind, or think, this. Greek. phroneo, as in Philippians 2:2 .
you = yourselves, i, e, your hearts.
also, &c. = in Christ Jesus also.
Christ Jesus . App-98 .
6.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
being = subsisting, or being essentially. Greek. huparcho. See Luke 9:48
form = the essential form, including all the qualities which can be made visible to the eye. Greek. morphe. Only here, Philippians 2:7 , and Mark 16:12 .
God. App-98 .
thought = reckoned. Some word as "esteem", Philippians 2:3 .
not . App-105 .
robbery = an act of robbery, or usurpation.
to be equal = the being on an equality.
7.
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
made Himself of no reputation = emptied Himself. Greek. kenoo. See Romans 4:14 . Of what He divested Himself is not stated, but Geo. Herbert's words, "He laid his glory by", i.e. the outward attributes of Deity, well suggest the meaning here. "It is assumed by some that when taking the form of a bondservant, He not only divested Himself of His Divine powers, but became as His fellows, and limited Himself (or was limited) to the knowledge and "mental status" of the age in which He lived. In support of this Luke 2:52 and Mark 13:32 are adduced, but neither affords any warrant whatever for such assumption. The Lord's wisdom and knowledge were astonishing to the Rabbis (Luke 2:37 ). He came only to accomplish the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4 ), so He only spoke the words the Father gave Him (John 3:34 ; John 7:16 ; John 8:28 ; John 12:49 , John 12:50 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 , John 17:14 ). His perfect obedience (as far as death, Philippians 2:8 ) was shown in that He did and said only what was appointed Him to do and say, not His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him (Hebrews 10:5-7 ).
and took, &c. = having taken.
servant . App-190 .
was made. Literally becoming.
likeness Greek. homoioma . See Romans 1:23 .
men . App-123 .
8.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
fashion . Greek. schema. Only here and 1 Corinthians 7:31 . The noun morphe ; Occurs thrice and is used only of the Lord; here (verses: Philippians 2:6 , Philippians 2:7 ), and Mark 16:12 , schema Occurs only here and 1 Corinthians 7:31 , as above. For their compounds see the Notes.
humbled. Greek. tapeinoo. See 2 Corinthians 11:7 .
and became . Literally becoming.
obedient . Greek. huperkoos. See Acts 7:39 .
unto = as far as,
cross . That death, the shame of which made it such a stumbling-block to the Jews. Compare Hebrews 12:2 . The seven successive steps of the Lord's humiliation illustrate the Figure of speech Catabasis . App-6 . The seven steps upward in His glorification are given in verses: Philippians 2:9-11 .
9.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
hath . Omit.
highly exalted . Greek. huperupsoo. Only here. Compare John 12:32 .
given = gave. App-184 . The texts read the.
above . App-104 .
10.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
at = in. App-104 .
Jesus . App-98 .
bow . Greek. kampto. See Romans 11:4 . Compare Isaiah 45:23 , Romans 14:11 .
in heaven . Greek. epouranios. S. Ephesians 3:10 .
in earth . Greek. epigeios . See 1 Corinthians 15:40 (terrestrial).
under the earth . Greek. katachthonios. Only here. Compare Proverbs 15:24 , These are the dead who shall yet be reused to give glory to Him, Compare Revelation 5:13 ; and the angels and demons of the abyss. Luke 8:31 .Revelation 9:11 . And see Psalms 148 .
11.
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
Lord . App-98 .
to . App-104 .
Father . App-98 .
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.
beloved. App-135 .
presence . Greek. paroesia. This and Philippians 1:26 (coming) are the only one. of parousia in the epistles written from Paul's prison at Rome. See Matthew 24:3 .
absence . Greek. apousia . Only here.
with . App-104 .
fear and trembling . See 1 Corinthians 2:3 .
13.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
worketh . Greek. energeo. Not the same as "work out" (Philippians 2:12 ), katergazomai (see Ephesians 6:13 ).
will . App-102 .
do = work. Greek. energeo .
of . App-104 .
good pleasure . Greek. eudokia . See Romans 10:1 .
14.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
murmurings . Greek. gongusmos. See Acts 6:1 .
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;
be . Literally become.
blameless . Greek. amemptos. Only here; Philippians 3:6 . Luke 1:6 . 1 Thessalonians 3:13 .Hebrews 8:7 .
harmless . Greek. akeraios. See Romans 16:19
sons . App-108 .
without rebuke. Greek. amometos. Only here and 2 Peter 3:14 , but the texts read amomos (as Ephesians 1:4 ), Both words are akin to amemptos.
crooked . Greek., skolios . See Acts 2:40 .
perverse . See Acts 13:8 .
nation = generation.
among . App-104 .
shine = appear. App-106 .
lights . App-130 .
world . App-129 . Compare Matthew 5:14 .
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.
Holding forth . Greek. epecho. See Acts 3:5 ,
word . App-121 .
life , App-170 .
that I may , &c. = for ( App-104 ) rejoicing to me. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:19 , 1 Thessalonians 2:20 .
in . App-104 .
in vain . Greek. eis kenon , See Galatians 4:11 .
17.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
and if = even if ( App-118 )
offered = poured out (as a drink offering). Greek. spendomai. Only here and a Tim Philippians 4:6 .
upon . App-101 .
service . App-190 .
faith. App-150 .
18.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
For the same, &c. = In respect to the same thing do ye also joy.
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.
trust = hope. Greek. elpizo.
send. App-174 .
shortly = quickly.
unto = to,
be, &c. Greek. eupsucheo . Only here,
know. App-132 .
your state = the things concerning ( App-104 .) you.
20.
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
no man = no one. Greek. oudeis .
likeminded = of equal mind. Greek. isopsuchos. Only here.
naturally . Greek. gnesios. Only here. Compare Philippians 4:3 . 1 Timothy 1:2 .
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.
proof . Greek. dokime. See Romans 5:4 .
hath . Omit.
served . App-190 .
with . App-104 .
gospel . App-140 .
23.
Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
hope . As trust, Philippians 2:19 .
presently = forthwith.
see . Greek. apeidon, used as aorist of aphorao. App-133 .
how . . . me = the things concerning me, as verses: Php 19:20 .
24.
But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
trust. App-150 .
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.
supposed. Same word in Philippians 2:3 (esteem) and Philippians 2:6 (thought).
to. App-104 .
Epaphroditus , See Philippians 4:18 .
companion in labour . Greek. sunergos, fellowlabourer, I as Philippians 4:3 ; &c.
fellowsoldier . Greek. sustratiotes. Only here and Phm. Philippians 1:2 .
messenger = apostle. App-189 .
he that ministered = minister. App-190 .
wants . See Philippians 4:16 (necessity), Philippians 4:19 (need).
26.
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
longed = was longing, On epipotheo, as Philippians 1:8 .
full of heaviness . Greek. ademoneo, Only here; Matthew 26:37 . Mark 14:33 .
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.
nigh , Greek. paraplesion. Only here.
unto = to.
lest = in order that (Greek. hina) not ( App-105 ).
upon . App-104 .
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.
carefully = diligently. see. App-133 .
less sorrowful = more free from grief. Greek. alupoteros. Only here.
29.
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
in reputation = as honourable. or esteemed. Greek. entirnos. Here, Luke 7:2 ; Luke 14:8 . 1 Peter 2:4 , 1 Peter 2:6 ,
30.
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
for . App-104 .Philippians 2:2 .
was = drew.
not regarding = disregarding. Greek. parabouleuomai, The texts read paraboleuomai, to expose to danger.
life. App-110 .
to = that (Greek. hina) he might.
supply = fill up. Greek. anapleroo. See 1 Corinthians 14:16 . Compare App-125 .
service , App-190 .
toward . App-104 . Paul's joy at their kind ministration lacked one thing, their personal presence. This Epaphroditus, their messenger, supplied.