So being in the form of God, and not something to be grasped to be equal with God. Let nobody suppose me to insinuate that a woman is not in place when exercising, according to the Scripture, any gift God has given her. SMS Message: Haider, City will have played Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in their cup run this season. If he desired for them that they should be without one stumble till the day of Christ, it was the purpose to which grace had girded up his own loins. The apostles were commissioned to proclaim "the full message of this new life" (Acts 5:20), also called "this message of salvation" (Acts 13:26). These are fruits of that humility to which he had exhorted them. To him theology and action were always bound together. In the original temptation, Satan got Eve to doubt the goodness of God, and ever since he seeks to do the same. _ It is God who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish. What he means by forgetting the things that are behind is, that we should not think of any progress we may have made in following Christ, that we should lose sight of everything calculated to give us self-satisfaction. Welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and hold such men in honour, because he came near to death because of his work for Christ, hazarding his life, that he might fill up that part of your service to me which you were personally unable to supply. The Christians election is so that he will be blameless (Ephesians 1:4). Such experience is both a real and a precious boon. The pathetic pressing of the duty. "Not," says he, "that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am," this is the great design of the epistle; it was not truth that was made known simply, but experience that was grown into "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Such did, such was, Christ. But Paul says that if his life is poured out as a drink offering on the altar, if it was upon the sacrifice and service of the Philippians faith, he rejoiced and shared that joy with them. Not so: Christ is always better; and so says he, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. For his was a heart deeply sensible of love, and consequently he was not one that had sought either to make the saints dependent upon him, and still less did the apostle depend on the saints for anything that was the fruit of grace in them. This word focuses on inward moral integrity, which is the proper root of outwardly blameless behavior. The peace which God has in everything He will communicate to keep you in everything; and not only so, but the heart, being free from care, will enter into what pleases Him. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." And so Paul's appeal to them now, a very powerful appeal: if there is any consolation in Christ, if there is any comfort in love, and surely there is consolation in Christ, how we are consoled by Him, how we are comforted in the love, and especially the time of death, the fellowship in the Spirit, the compassion and the mercy fulfill my joy. One of the features of Paul's writing is his love of pictures from the life of the athlete. Impossible that He could be made Jehovah. However his outward schema ( G4976) might alter, he remained in essence divine. So he could settle now about his life and death. The passive shines in Christ coming down; the active is realized by the eye that is fixed on Christ, who is actually in glory. (iii) The fact that they share in the Holy Spirit should keep Christians from disunity. They were bonds in Christ; how then could he be impatient under them? "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection from the dead. For murmurings and disputations spring up, whenever any one, aiming beyond measure at his own advantage, (126) gives to others occasion of complaint. When we grumble, whether about a church leader we dont like or about some trial were going through, were really saying, God, youre not doing a very good job of directing my life. Nor does it mean that it is wrong to question church leaders about problem areas. Their actions are to be consistent with their calling of being Gods children. In the Old Testament, light comes from God (Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 60:20; Micah 7:8). And let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves ( Philippians 2:3 ). Not evil things, these are to be abhorred, shunned, and avoided, even all appearance of them, they are not to be done, even the sake of good; nor all indifferent things at all times, and under all circumstances, when the peace and edification of others are in danger of being hurt by so doing; but all good things . is it wrong to complain to those in charge? I do catch myself at times murmuring over some of the pressures, over some of the things. that I have not run in vain: This phrase indicates Paul has not run or worked in vain. Hence he thus opens, "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown." "In nothing," says he, "terrified by your adversaries [this is the other side]: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. And so, He puts it in me to will, and then He gives me the capacity to do of His good pleasure.Several years ago I was supposed to speak in Ventura on a Sunday evening, and I decided to go up on Saturday and spend the night with my aunt in Santa Barbara. No Christian should be satisfied with anything less than the total benefits of the gospel. (ii) The power of Christian love should keep us in unity. (a) It is God that works in us the desire to be saved. So often it is by a sudden inspiration, a thought, an idea, God is working in you to will, and then to do. This verse is short, but clear, and difficult to misunderstand. In Greek, the letter a negates something. Oh that the Lord might make it true of His own! The great warning of what complaining and disputing can lead to is Israels 10 instances of complaining in the wilderness. As they "hold fast the word of life," they will preserve unity. Every word is chosen by Paul with meticulous care to show two things--the reality of the manhood and the reality of the godhead of Jesus Christ. Such was the apostle's faith. He is exalting Christ. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. God in his mercy spared the life of Epaphroditus and so spared Paul yet more sorrow. Better not make them known to men; it is a dangerous snare. Paul now leaves his use of the figure of stars lighting up the sky by explaining how the Philippians can live as Gods children in the world. Tell me, one asked, just what did you come here for today?. It was not that he wanted more. This is the only allusion, as far as I know, to flesh in this epistle, but it is flesh in its religious form, and not as a source of evil lusts and passions. And this puts the doctrine, as far as there is doctrine in the epistle, in a very clear light. "My bonds in Christ," he says, "are manifest in all the palace." He emptied Himself. Their affections were right. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation."[ a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. When God raises up a good man in any place, he sets up a light in that place. Why? "lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. It is a great joy to ministers when they perceive that they have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain; and it will be their rejoicing in the day of Christ, when their converts will be their crown. Then, after this mighty demonstration of Gods power and of His care for His chosen people, we read next that they came to a place, three days journey into the wilderness, where there was no water (Exod. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 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; 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. Let nothing be done () . "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, the Word was God" ( John 1:1 ). Then we also must be above reproach. In one sense these words are synonyms, but they never mean entirely the same thing; they always have some special flavour. The day will come when men will call Jesus Lord, but they will do so to the glory of God the Father. 15:22). "Do all things without disputing, wrangling, and debating one another; because the light of truth and the life of religion are often lost in the heats and mists of disputation." In fact, the word translated all things is emphatic in the Greek text. Who would have expected that the timid man Nicodemus, and the honourable councillor Joseph of Arimathea, would have been brought out at the very time when even the apostles themselves had fled trembling with fear? May you walk in His love, and in His grace, in Jesus' name. (Psalms 35:19.) He was in prison, long shut out from that which had been his joyful service, though in constant toil and suffering for so many years. (c) The word which is translated without blemish is amomos ( G299) and describes what the Christian is in the sight of God. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. So he tells them that he always thus remembered them for their "fellowship with the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.". Thus easily do we fall into error, because the human mind likes to have either one thing or another, and thus avoid all difficulty in Scripture, having each squared according to our notions. I remember when God began convicting me of my grumbling spirit. If a Christians life isnt what it should be, should he give verbal witness of Christ? So Epaphroditus almost died. The Christian should desire to focus men's eyes not upon himself but on God. You want to be great in God's kingdom? It may be that the parents are truly loving, caring, people who provide well for their kids. He is the patron saint of all those who are quite content with the second place, so long as they can serve. May it be so with us! " I will be up for dinner, spend the night with you, and then I will come back to Ventura tomorrow night and speak." Php_2:8 : He was found in fashion as a man; he came in appearance as a man for all to recognise. It is not sentiment, but a genuine feeling, thus "looking not each at his own things, but each also at the things of others." But in my opinion the sense, and even the Greek, seems bad; for on the one hand both and the drift of the argument point to a resurrection of favour and blessedness, not to that in which the unjust must rise to judgment; while on the other hand would imply the dead, i.e. Cp. It is not one who cherished a trust in the Lord's fidelity spite of what was visible. The work of salvation is begun, continued and ended in God. We can neither have a will, nor begin, nor fulfil any thing of ourselves, in order to a reward in heaven. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. . It was the exact reverse in good of what the Galatians were in evil, for they had been cordial and bright when the apostle was with them; but directly his back was turned, their hearts were alienated. Do they grumble and dispute with God: How could You do this to me when Ive faithfully followed You? Or, filled with joy in the Lord, do they shine forth as lights in the darkness? Others might be consumed with selfish ambition; but Timothy's one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." 2:5-11 Have within yourselves the same disposition of mind as was in Christ Jesus, for he was by nature in the very form of God, yet he did not regard existence in equality with God as something to be snatched at, but he emptied himself, and took the very form of a slave, and became like men. Selfishness, self-seeking and self-display destroy our likeness to Christ and our fellowship with each other. This verb describes a state which is not a permanent state. Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, Bible > Philippians > Chapter 2 > Verse 14 eBibles Free Downloads Audio Philippians 2:14 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do everything without grumbling or arguing, New Living Translation Its a world marked by grumbling and complaining. You may be perfectly sure of an answer when you make known your requests: therefore let it be with thanksgiving. And why, I don't know. In the Philippian Church there were those whose aim was to focus men's eyes upon themselves; the aim of Jesus was to focus men's eyes upon God. Could Paul think it worth while to shed his blood for the service of the church, and shall we think it much to take a little pains? that I may rejoice in the day of Christ: "In the day of Christ" explains when Pauls boast will occur. Thus he anticipates the removal of the last trace of the first Adam; he looks for our being brought fully, even as to the body, into the likeness of the Second Man, the last Adam. The word used for form is morphe ( G3444) , which we have seen means the essential form. One of the elements of heavenly happiness will be the calm and settled knowledge of all that we have been here below. He desired not anything for himself, but only what should abound to their account in the day of Jesus Christ. Alter and Matthaei followed according to their plan the manuscripts before them; but the latter was too good a scholar not to feel the difference, though he appears to impute it to a corrector for the sake of elegance in his second edition. THE SIGNS OF SALVATION ( Php_2:12-18 continued). Our testimony as children of God requires that we be marked, not by grumbling and disputing, but by joy, even in trials. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). This passage concludes with two vivid pictures, which are typical of Paul's way of thinking. Nothing in our lives should give an occasion for scandal, where unbelievers can look at how we live and say, I thought he was a Christian! But God doesn't heal everybody, I recognize that. Jacob became Israel when God entered into the new relationship with him ( Genesis 32:28). You know, "We want to be first so we can be honored." Php_2:11 is one of the most important verses in the New Testament. He did feel it. Thayer defines the word as "the thinking of a man deliberating with himself; a thought, inward reasoning; purpose, design; a deliberating, questioning about what is true; hesitation, doubting; disputing, arguing" (139). We are to be without the blemish of complaining because we want this crooked and perverse generation to know that our Heavenly Father is a good, loving, and caring God. This was precisely what he desired when a Jew. How Paul wants the Philippians to live with each other. admits that the external testimony is quite in its favour, though it is hard to see what he means by the internal evidence being in this case denied; for he suggests himself that may have been a correction proceeding from those who thought that the sense which the context requires, "the resurrection from the dead," could not be extracted from . The great characteristics of Jesus' life were humility, obedience, and self-renunciation. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus." "Being confident," he therefore says, "of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ, even as it is meet for me to think this of you all." Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. "Finally," says he, "my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. There is selfish ambition. ", "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." If there be therefore any consolation The , if, does not express any doubt here, but on the contrary is to be considered as a strong affirmation; as there is consolation in Christ, as there is comfort of love, c.. body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself." Here we see One who is in glory, and on whom the eye of the believer is set; and accordingly the judgment of evil is from the side of heaven. Then they grumbled because there was no meat, so the Lord provided quails (16:8-13). Not so Paul. Christian love is that unconquered good-will which never knows bitterness and never seeks anything but the good of others. Is this the life that is practically exercised? He associates Timothy with himself, not merely, as elsewhere, himself apostle and Timothy in some other relation, but here conjointly "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ." Blameless and sincere; so some read it. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Satan was disputing when he said to Eve, Indeed, has God said, ? "Let your moderation be known unto all men. Of course there is consolation in Christ ! All we want is, that the eye of faith be a little open; but it is only Christ before the eye that keeps it open. Hence he says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." It can be used of removing things from a container, until the container is empty; of pouring something out, until there is nothing left. A great scholar, he was the Roman governor of the province of Liguria and Aemilia, and he governed with such loving care that the people regarded him as a father. Instead of occupying oneself with all one hears that would cast down, now that we have committed all. "For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state." Now the saint that has Christ Himself before him looks abroad with desires according to the activity of divine love. Philippians 2:15. Vainglory.Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory. He was made Lord and Christ. He was a native either of Derbe or of Lystra. Where is Romaine, you know, he is not around to clean up this mess." He did not make a mistake. should not of itself have the same sense as that conveyed, with more propriety of expression (and for that reason likely to be adopted in the early Uncial MSS. My head is bloody but unbowed." But in lowliness of mind, just esteem others better than yourself. Those people who speak so despairingly of Him now, those people who still mock His name, those who use His name so carelessly in their profanity, those who have spoken out so adversely against Him, one day they too shall bow their knee, and they shall confess Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yea [not and], I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labour with me." Here Paul uses the most vivid possible word to make clear the sacrifice of the Incarnation. "We are going to put the names up here on the wall. The very fact, or way of putting it, supposes Him to be a divine person. He desires for them, not anxiety about the issue of it, but true gravity of spirit, because of feeling that it is a question between God and the devil, and that we have to do with that struggle in the most direct way. It makes us stand out. Paul is clear about the lonely and ultimate supremacy of God. To the confession of His Lordship is added "to the glory of God the Father." What do they do? How lovely that this it was that pained him unselfish love! It was not thus that the true-hearted Philippians felt; and spiritual feeling is worth more than all reasoning. (a) The word translated blameless is amemptos ( G273) and expresses what the Christian is to the world. This epistle is therefore eminently instructive to those who could not have an apostle with them. There are two significant things about it; it is always used of the action of God, and it is always used of effective action. It was used in the Greek language to refer to pure wine, without any mixture of water in it. Nothing but the righteousness that was of God as its source satisfied him. (126) Cerchant outre mesure son proufit et vtilite particuliere; Seeking beyond measure his own particular profit and advantage., (127) Le vice qui est en plusieurs quils sont pleins de complaints contre les autres; The fault that is in very many that they are full of complaints as to others.. Do all things without murmurings . All who believe shall surely shine in His glory; and the universal creation, which, belonging to Him as His inheritance, He will share with His own, shall be reconciled and delivered in due time. Nevertheless there is that which is suited only to the conditions of time; there is that which, given here, survives all change. "And the fellowship of his sufferings" again and certainly a present thing, not relating to heaven. What a God is ours, so to treat that which, connected with the world, Christ Himself calls "unrighteous mammon!" Modern editors of value, however differing in their system of recension agree in the ancient as against the received reading; so Scholz, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Ellicott, Alford, Tregelles, Wordsworth, etc. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. The critical reading he owns has force and propriety; but he does "not see why . If right here, we are at one, so to speak, with His present purposes. It is the apostle giving us what his heart was occupied with when he could not go forth in the activities of work, and when it seemed as if he had nothing to do. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. (b) It is the witness of a life that is absolutely straight in a world which is warped and twisted. Jesus had to empty Himself to become a servant. It was a calm, fixed, cordial habit of their souls, which indeed had distinguished them from the first. So we come to the end of this passage; and, when we come to its end, we come back to its beginning. Was this all the apostle had to say? The New International Version translates the word "appear" (phainesthe) as "shine." So the word means, the opposite of moma. Thus the very suffering which unbelief might interpret wrongly, and regard as a severe chastening, and so cause the heart to be cast down, instead of taking comfort before God, the suffering for Christ's sake is a gift of His love, as much a gift as the believing in Christ for the salvation of the soul. Now, you may not want to make that confession now. As I said, in the context Paul especially means grumbling and disputing against one another. It is God who has put that yearning in your heart. Philippians 2:14 - Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E . There is therefore not the slightest ground to countenance the rather dangerous idea, that the apostle did not employ a phrase analogous to the correct one which is found elsewhere in the New Testament, and adopted "a popular and familiar mode of expression," i.e. They shared the conflict of the gospel; they partook of the reproach that covered those who preached it. He is regarded as the true adversary, working, of course, by human means; but none the less is it his power. But this is not the character of Christian joy. This Christian missionary endeavour has two aspects: (a) It is the proclamation of the offer of the gospel in words which are clear and unmistakable. At present, He is allowing evil to go on. He knew the foot-race, most famous of all the contests. I believe, therefore, that , especially if be supposed to be fetched (as Dr. B. says) from , is incompatible with , the one conveying the notion of a selected company, and the other of the dead universally. The trial is to keep that joy undimmed in the midst of the difficulties and sorrows that every day may bring. Also, we are to be innocent. It has nothing to do with a person's righteousness. It was so as to the Corinthians; nay, it was not wholly wanting for the Galatians, though that which they allowed imperilled the foundations of grace and faith. He says that they had happened rather for the furtherance of the gospel, "so that my bonds in Christ are manifest;" for this is the way in which he looks at it "my bonds in Christ." Why should such as they face the unmannerly officials that took advantage of the imperial government to treat with injury those identified with the gospel? I said, "They don't have any farms in Los Angeles." Heading up towards the Ventura freeway, when I got to Sunset Boulevard I thought, "Oh, this is such a beautiful day. (i) It began by meaning master or owner. Little probable is it that the reading, . Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Spiritual Life, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. "I send Timothy because he has my heart for you; he cares for you as I do. It is used, for instance, of wine or milk which is not mixed with water and of metal which has no alloy in it. But, also, we have a message we hold forth: the word of life (2:16). Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery [something to be grasped] to be equal with God ( Philippians 2:6 ): He didn't grasp, have to grasp equality with God; He was with God. Thus then he writes, telling them, "I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." Then he turns to what had drawn out the epistle. I speak of Christian love, of course. We live in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation that refuses to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. "if I live in the flesh, it is worth my while." This chapter then looks for the working of the gracious feelings of Christ Himself in the Christian individually, showing us, first, the fulness of them all in Christ in contrast with the first Adam. It is often said in courts of law that the proceedings must not only be just but must be seen to be just. Christians are to be lights in the world. Cyprian, the Christian bishop, gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from destruction and desolation. It was a bad testimony to the nations around them, that the God who had provided a mighty deliverance for Israel would not also provide for their basic needs. There is a word in this passage which later had a famous usage. But there are the things, or if you will, the persons under the earth which can never be delivered. "That I may win Christ," therefore he says; "and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law." ", And this nearness of Christ I take simply to be the blessed hope here made a practical power. Who have had more palpable witness that service may become the object rather than Christ? I can give it a try. But the practical ways and spirit of the Philippians were the living evidence not only of life, but, so to speak, of vigorous health in Christ. To be a Christian was to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (compare Romans 10:9). It is not a mere reaction of the heart, as human love is; it is a victory of the will, achieved by the help of Jesus Christ. And what did the apostle do with all this roll of fleshly advantages? I worked with the Boys Brigade program when Daniel was younger. It was seen laid in the grave of Christ. Living in the light of the day of Christ means that we must daily submit ourselves in every situation to a sovereign God. Therefore he intreated them to "do all things without murmurings and reasonings, that they might be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom they shone as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." There is nothing so unaffectedly humble as real faith, and, above all, that character of faith which lives on Christ, and which consequently lives Christ. The Christian must not only be pure, but the purity of his life must be seen by all. Christ will present the church as His bride without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but rather, holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27; Judges 1:24; Revelation 14:5). When his enemies wanted to find some charge against him to bring him down, because they were jealous of his position, they finally concluded, We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God (Dan. "That I may know him." The supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus shows itself in dependence, and this expresses itself therefore in prayer to God. We cannot tell how or when he was converted to Christianity, but on his second missionary journey Paul met him and saw in him one whom he could clearly use in the service of Jesus Christ. It is not love growing less but more, and this abounding in intelligence and knowledge, which could not be looked for in saints just beginning their career. Such is the meaning here. To explain and apply Pauls words, I want to consider 4 things: What is the chief end of man? There is, however, a sure and only divine standard: as far as we have attained, our call is to walk in the same path. They really mean, this is worth my while, a well-known phrase in Latin too. 2:15, [Revell], p. 734). This was a simple creed, yet all-embracing. Strange way of God! Habitually, indeed throughout this epistle, we find the word " me," and a very different "me" from the "me" of Romans 7:1-25. (128) The term is used by Aristotle. Now let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.". Timothy's great use was that, whenever Paul wished for information from some Church or wished to send advice or encouragement or rebuke and could not go himself, it was he whom he sent. There is no more common device of Satan than to seek the destruction of the power of testimony by the allowance of evil insinuations against him who renders it. Yet these shall bow, no less than those in heaven, or on earth. "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Weve seen that our testimony should be uppermost in our thinking so that it affects all our attitudes and behavior, to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. Philippians 2:14 Do &c. The general principle of holiness of life in the power of the Divine Indweller is now carried into details, with a view to the special temptations and failings of the Philippians. The people murmured against Moses ( Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:2; Numbers 16:41). There are two chief stages of His humiliation flowing out of His perfect love. Reason and sense are out of the question, though reason must reject a creature's becoming God. , A man may either cherish both in himself or rouse them in others, Do all things without murmurings and disputings, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. He is God equally with the Father. It was not merely their calling in Christ, their being Christians, that was before him, but a walk as it became the gospel of Christ. I took him aside once and explained to him that Gods name is holy and that we shouldnt use it carelessly, as he was. If youre in a bad situation (work, home, etc.) Why did you appoint this man to lead us into this mess? Were wrongly questioning God. How truly he accounted himself less than the least of them! We should aim and endeavour, not only to get to heaven, but to get thither without a blot; and, like Demetrius, to have a good report of all men, and of the truth,3 John 1:12. It is not only his reckoning in the first fervour of love for the Saviour. Because when I do things and I am murmuring, He usually speaks to me and says, "Why are you doing it?" God says, "My ways are not your ways, they are beyond your finding out." Philippians 2, Barclay's Daily Study Bible, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work . But Paul knew that it was time that Epaphroditus went back home, and in all probability he was the bearer of this letter. Read full chapter. The Greek cities were often at variance and frequently at war; but when the Olympic Games came round, no matter what dispute was raging, a month's truce was declared that there might be a contest in fellowship between them. Then, as to our practical every-day expectation, "the Lord is at hand." That's the last thing they need, for you to come in and say, "Well, brother, there must be something wrong with you, some sin in your life that you are so sick. "That I may win Christ, and be found in him" where not a vestige of self remains, but all will be Christ, and nothing but Christ. This is the great value of Christian experience. In other words what he is saying to the Philippians is: "Your Christian fidelity and loyalty are already a sacrifice to God; and if death for Christ should come to me, I am willing and glad that my life should be poured out like a libation on the altar on which your sacrifice is being made.". His goodness can even take this up and thus make it fragrant even to Himself. This is what he did, and accordingly this is the source, not merely of a firm faith and confidence as to the issue, but of present joy and all-overcoming power. doctrine as this to the Philippians. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be [not rejoicing here, but] the less sorrowful." 1706.return to 'Jump List'. "To hold forth" or "hold out" could mean either to offer the word of life or to hold fast to it. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly ( Philippians 2:24 ). What is it that brings us into the blessed fellowship that we enjoy? And mark, it is not the anticipation of light with Christ in heaven, but His light now while He is in heaven shining on the heart, and on the circumstances of the pathway here below. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. Its possible to put on a good front at church, but to be leading a double life. Thats Pauls point in our text. Thus our testimony is built on our life in Christ, a life free from grumbling and disputing, a life filled with the joy of Christ and the salvation He has given us, even in trials. Elsewhere it is God's or divine righteousness. Such people pervert the right ways of God (Acts 13:10; Acts 20:30). The offer of God is there; without it there can be no such thing as salvation. Jesus draws men to himself that he may draw them to God. Here that simple idea is stated with a fulness which is without parallel. 16 as you hold firmly to the word . Yes. Christ is the sovereign balm for every wound; and it was the apostle's joy, whatever men's spirit might be, not only to enjoy Christ himself, but that His name was being proclaimed far and wide by many lips, that souls might hear and live. 2. "Beware of evil workers; beware of the concision. In affliction, in prison, everywhere. Thus the true bearing of the passage is, that from the first the eye of faith is fixed steadily on the end of the journey. So he says here, "For the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung." But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know of your state. The apostle not only ran and laboured for them with satisfaction, but shows that he was ready to suffer for their good (Philippians 2:17; Philippians 2:17): Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. ", Only he desires that their conversation should be as it became the gospel of Christ. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation [generation], among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain ( Philippians 2:15-16 ). Do all things without murmurings . God had worked a miracle, causing the Red Sea to part and the people walked across on dry land. that is miserable to God, we can go on delighting in the goodness of God, as well as in its fruits. He means the Lord, really, personally, at hand; as he had said in the end of the last chapter, that this was what we look for. It may be that as Israels complaining was directed toward Moses, yet was in truth against God, Paul is telling them that when they grumble against their leaders, they are actually grumbling against God. There was evidently energy among these Philippians. And those who are emphasizing a "works" gospel, which is not a gospel, because you tell me I have to work to be saved, that is not good news, that is bad news. in sorrow? In a certain sense too he could not, and in another he would not choose. Christian purity must issue in a complete sincerity of thought and character. "Help them" (says he) "with Clement also, and with my other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. Oh, it is a blessed thing, that in the midst of the sorrows of this world, the Holy Spirit knows how thus to blend the name of Christ, as the sweetest balm, with the sorrow, however bitter, and to make the very memory of the grief pleasant because of Christ, who deigns to let Himself into it all. Through the wonderful sight of the love of Christ, this answered the question to his faith, leaving all circumstances entirely aside. Morphe ( G3444) is the essential form which never alters; schema ( G4976) is the outward form which changes from time to time and from circumstance to circumstance. Let us take the phrases one by one. The appearing of a light is at the same time a shining, so both translations are essentially the same. Why should women expose, themselves? It is true that "our hearts are restless till they rest in him," and it is also true that "we could not even begin to seek him unless he had already found us." Thirdly. Evidently, therefore, two glories of Jesus are referred to here. In the Greek world there were the great Isthmian Games at Corinth, the great Pan-Ionian Games at Ephesus, and, greatest of all, the Olympic Games, held every four years. Observe, Where there is no true religion, little is to be expected but crookedness and perverseness; and the more crooked and perverse others are among whom we live, and the more apt to cavil, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. Be patient in, and contented with, your work; and see that ye fall not out by the way. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ( Philippians 2:8 ). I die happy knowing that God has worked in your life through my ministry. "The new nature is ours by gift of God, but the activation of that new nature in terms of new character and new conduct is through the responsive work of obedience, the hard graft of the daily warfare." For we can all understand joy in believing; we can readily feel how natural is joy to the Christian who dwells on his eternal portion. (i) Salvation is of God. Do all things without murmurings and disputings ( Philippians 2:14 ): Now, I have to confess that I don't always succeed in this particular injunction. The word the King James Version has translated fashion and which we have translated appearance is schema ( G4976) , and we have seen that this indicates a form which alters. But no man can ever receive salvation unless he answers God's appeal and takes what he offers. Jesus is Jehovah, although a man; consequently the bowing in that name to the glory of God the Father does not occur to the apostle. Two words are most carefully chosen to show the unchangeable godhead of Jesus Christ. So we have to use competition to motivate them. Had He not been God in His own being and title, it would have been no humiliation to be a servant, nor could it be indeed a question of taking such a place. I have been healed many times, I know that. Accordingly he prays for them, that as they had shown this true and unabated love for himself as Christ's servant, so their love might abound yet more and more, and this too in knowledge and in all judgment. Their true and constant progress was what the apostle had before his own soul in prayer for them, instead of coolly giving up the saints, as if the new nature must grow feebler day by day as if the things of the world must overcome faith, and the things which are seen outweigh those which are unseen and eternal. From him all carpers at other men, and rigid censurers of their works, were called Momi. It is His nature to dispel darkness. "The phrase in vain (which is used only by Paul in the New Testament) is found in the papyri as describing water running to waste" (Loh and Nida 72). After telling the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, because it was none other than God who was at work in their midst, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (2:12-13), Paul goes from preaching to meddling: He applies it specifically by telling them (and us) to do all things without grumbling and disputing. Furthermore, the only other time Paul specifically refers to the complaining of the children of Israel is in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 when he is writing to a congregation plagued by dissension. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. Epaphroditus was his fellow-servant, and indeed more than that "my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Codd. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. Furthermore, if the gospel is held firm, then Paul will have no occasion for shame or regret that his work at Philippi had failed. Php_2:6-8 form a very short passage; but there is no passage in the New Testament which so movingly sets out the utter reality of the godhead and the manhood of Jesus and makes so vivid the sacrifice that he made when he laid aside his godhead and took manhood upon him. THE CURE OF DISUNITY ( Php_2:1-4 continued). The word , translated here consolation, is in other places rendered exhortation, and is by several critics . "And not on him only, but on me also," (what a difference is made when love interprets!) We know very little detail about Timothy but the record of his service with Paul shows his fidelity. The word Paul uses for questionings is dialogismos ( G1261) which describes useless, and sometimes ill-natured, disputing and doubting. This is the more remarkable because it is so intensely practical. But I am confident in the Lord that I myself too will soon come to you. "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up" ( James 4:10 ). So here are Gods people, delivered from bondage to sin by Gods mighty salvation through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Do all things without murmurings and disputings - In a quiet, peaceful, inoffensive manner. It is useless to ask how; we can only stand in awe at the sight of him, who is almighty God, hungry and weary and in tears. When the distinction of the resurrection of the just from that of the unjust got lost in Christendom, and all were merged in the error of one general indiscriminate resurrection, one can understand that people would not feel the impropriety of substituting for (for as to , of which Dr. B. speaks, it exists in no document whatever). This will be, no doubt, at the end of the journey: the faithful win Christ where He is. This man who prayed with us, he is the foreman of this ranch." It is ignorance and absurdity to answer such scriptures by the text, that in Christ there is neither male nor female. There is no necessity and where is the epistle that more thoroughly disproves the thought of any necessity? The Lord Jesus not only comes down into the place of servant in love among men, but goes down into the last fortress of the enemy's power. They must both be translated form, because there is no other English equivalent, but they do not mean the same thing. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Explanation - These are notes organized by verse that you might find of help in preparing your sermon on Philippians 2:1-4. . The direction is given without exceptions, aiming the intent at everything a believer does. For a discussion of this sin, see my Commentary on Acts, Acts 6:1. the word of life: "The word of life" is synonymous with "the gospel." ", Blessed is this confidence in Christ, and wondrous are His ways! It points to our outwardly observable behavior, including our attitudes. They have seen His power. Let us uphold the glory of His person, but, nevertheless, let us not forget how the apostle's picture of the saint resembles the Master! The idea is that of becoming, and it describes a changing phase which is completely real but which passes. InMatthew 23:1-39; Matthew 23:1-39 we have woe upon woe pronounced upon scribes and Pharisees, and so it is here. Paul could speak of him as his child in the Lord ( 1 Corinthians 4:17). She was the stores millionth customer. However, the rendering "hold fast" is preferable to many scholars. Is it too much to say that many a groan would have gone forth from us that are here? There is no epistle in the New Testament which gives so little space to the development of. Then they get into a wilderness situation, a trial where they run out of some basic resource and dont have a clue where its going to come from. He had no theory that first love must necessarily wane and cool down, but the very reverse. 15:1-18), when you read about their lack of water, you think, So what? It is the only place in Scripture where the phrase means, not simply the righteousness of God in point of character, but the righteousness of God in point of source. He too in love still keeps up the servant-character, and gives them as it were the Christ-character. He knew well how much they might be tried by the report of his own imprisonment, and no deliverance coming as yet. Yet the truth as to this abides, not only at the starting-point, but all the way through. Aspirin, penicillin, cascara, magnesia all have the one morphe ( G3444) of drugs; but their schema ( G4976) is different. It was due to His humiliation and obedience; and so it is here treated. He thus takes a common place with his beloved son in the gospel. The apostle takes up, no doubt, the sweet affections of chapter 2, but then they are strengthened by the energy that Christ seen in glory imparts, as in chapter 3. So, I wound all the way down Sunset Boulevard, and as I was winding down Sunset Boulevard, I thought, "My, I don't remember it being this far down Sunset to the Coast. Thus, as at the beginning of the chapter, there was the energy that went out against the evil workers, with a religious mind after the flesh, so now there is the energy that bursts forth against those that were misusing Christianity, making it an earthly system, setting their mind on things here below, under the name of the Lord Jesus; and between the two, is set forth the positiveness, if one may so speak, of Christ Himself. The Christian offers to all the word of life, that is to say, the word which gives life. It is a description that might almost do for Christ himself, so high is the standard for those that belong to Christ. Nevertheless, God will surely teach His own, and knows how to clear up what is hidden from them. There is nothing assuredly right, on the other hand, where Christ is not the object of the soul. And so Epaphroditus was concerned, they were worried for him, because of that sickness.Interesting, Paul had a tremendous ministry of healing. He had learned practically what Christ is, and what He does, and what He can enable even the least to do, (as he says himself, "less than the least of all saints,") and so much the more, because the least in his own eyes. This separates from all, and judges the best of man to be dung, as the former conforms the heart after His love. They use this text so often, but they don't go into the very next verse where He declares: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure ( Philippians 2:13 ). What seemed to some the death of the gospel was in point of fact distinctly for the furtherance of it. and that, in a nutshell, is what this passage is about. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me ( Philippians 2:18 ). Christ was "without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation." Each of these words makes its contribution to the idea of Christian purity. He knows that his death may not be very far away, for he is writing in prison and awaiting trial. Thats the point we have to keep in mind as children of the Heavenly Father. ", Finally, he calls them again to rejoice, and now with more emphasis than ever. But the day is coming when every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." There is real power, there is strength from God that works in the saint; but the feelings of Christ, the mind of Christ morally, is better than all energy. The issue of Christianity: my attitudes, my attitudes toward myself and my attitudes towards others. Do all things without murmurings and questionings, that you may show yourselves blameless and pure, the spotless children of God in a warped and twisted generation, in which you appear like lights in the world, as you hold forth the word which is life, so that on the day of Christ it may be my proud claim that I have not run for nothing and that I have not toiled for nothing. Let us not mistake in this; let us not be driven from it by a too common misuse. In Php_2:3-4 he gives us the three great causes of disunity. His being out of sight rather made the remembrance of his words and ways the more distinct, and imparted a chastened earnestness to their desires of pleasing the Lord. But all things? It is not with a threat that Paul speaks to the Christians of Philippi but with the appeal of love, which ought ever to be the accent of the pastor, as it was the accent of his Lord. CO-OPERATION IN SALVATION ( Php_2:12-18 ). Clarke's Commentary. But it does confront our attitude in how we raise questions or disagreements. A boy came to that program whose parents went to a liberal church where the gospel was not preached. It may be remarked here, that from an expression often misunderstood in Philippians 2:1-30 it might seem as if the apostle wished somehow to weaken their confidence. But if my own life is to be poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and I do rejoice with you all. Now you talk about, "Hey, don't they know who I am? Again and again the New Testament is sure that only the man who humbles himself will be exalted ( Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14). 6. That tremendous plunge Jesus was willing to take for you. The word which Paul uses for murmurings (goggusmos, G1112) is unusual. A little old lady walked into a department store one day and was surprised when a band began to play and an executive pinned an orchid on her dress and handed her a crisp $100 bill. In many ways this is the greatest and most moving passage Paul ever wrote about Jesus. Thus, then, he prays for them, and to this end, not that they might become more intelligent merely not that they might grow more able to discourse of divine things, though I doubt not that there would be growth in these respects also; but all here has an eminently practical form, "that ye may approve things that are more excellent; that ye may be pure and without offence till the day of Christ." But that power displays itself not in our strength, or wisdom, or any conferred resources. They were coupled with the gospel in all its conflict and progress. "Let your moderation be known unto all men;" that is, the meekness and gentleness which bends to the blow, instead of resisting it in the spirit that ever asserts its rights and fights for them. The verb "run" is a favorite of Pauls (Romans 9:16; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 1 Corinthians 9:26; Galatians 2:2; Galatians 5:7; Philippians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). (b) The word translated innocent is akeraios ( G185) , and expresses what the Christian is in himself. Such is the force of the exhortation. Because he looks at Jesus, not in His own personal right and glory, where necessarily all must bow, but rather at Him in His official place as Lord the place He has righteously acquired as man. In every Greek city the gymnasium was far more than a physical training-ground. (iii) It became the title of the heathen gods. There is really no reason to suppose that they preached at all. Without his help there can be no progress in goodness; without his help no sin can be conquered and no virtue achieved. It is the proper term for physical tiredness induced by work, exertion, or heat (TDNT 3 827-830). himself had been sick? The fellow was looking for a job. As always with Paul, the words are meticulously chosen. If he has Christ as the companion of his way, he is inevitably the companion of every wayfarer. To "abound yet more and more," to have that love tempered by divinely given wisdom and divinely exercised judgment, is the very reverse of going back. Let me look at another as he is in Christ. And the effect of their service to the Lord is the rejoicing in the heart of Paul, realizing that his ministry to them has been an effective ministry, for he has brought them into the attitude and the mind of Christ, who was willing to step from His glory into this sin-cursed world to hang on a cross. Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? It is our progress then that we are to forget. He is working all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. (19-30) Commentary on Philippians 2:1-4 (Read Philippians 2:1-4) Himself the striking witness to the contrary, he looked for nothing less in the saints he so dearly loved.
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