A.D.62. Chrift Jefus, which are at Philippi, with the bishops and dea cons: our Lord Jefus Chrift, to the Bifhops and Deacons, and the whole Chriftian Church of Philippi. 2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jefus Chrift. 3 I thank my 6 Being confident of 3, 4 & 5. Your Converfion to the Chriftian Faith, and your Steddinefs in it, from the very firft Propagation of it to you, to this Day, is Matter of fuch Joy and Satiffaction to me, that I am ever blefling God for it, and praying for your further Conftancy in it, in every Petition I put up to him. 6. Being fufficiently fatisfied, that God, who has called you Gentiles as well as the Jews, to the Profeffion of the Gospel, will so assist the Faith and Practice of it to the your Endeavours, as to keep you in Great Day of Chrift's Recompence and Reward. 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; in as much as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For 7 Nor can I but thus efteem and pray for you, that have thus diftinguifh'd your Refpects to me, in adhering fo firmly to the Doctrine I preached to you, and fuffering for it now along with me, who am a Prifoner for the Truth and Confirmation of it . 8. And + Euxapis, I give Thanks. Which fhows St. Paul to be the Author of the Epiftle, though Timothy was joined in the Salutation. Because I have you in my Heart. Die To xew pe ἐν napdía iμãs. Or, Because you have me at Heart. Ver. 7 Partakers of my Grace or Gift. It is a dubious Expreffion. It may fignify, as in the Paraphrafe, their being Partakers of the Honour of his fuffering for the Gospel; or their being Guyzowovo, Contributors to the Gift the Philippians fent him by Epaphroditus, Chap. iv. 18. See Mr. Peirce in Loc. * 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be fincere, and without offence till 12 But I would ye fhould understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the fur therance of the gospel. 13 8. And God can teftify, what A. D. 6z. a hearty Degree of Chriftian Love, I, in Return, bear toward your whole Church. 9. And how earnestly I pray that your Love of Chrift, and of me his Apoftle, may continually encreafe, by a more compleat and perfect understanding of the great Truths of his Religion. 12. But, to give you an Account of my prefent State and Condition, according to your Defire, Know then, that my Imprisonment at Rome has been no Hindrance, but rather an Advantage to the Chriftian Cause. So that my bonds 13. For 'tis now publickly known in Christ are manifeft in the Emperor's Court, and through in all the palace, and all the City, that I am a Prifoner in all other places. for the Chriftian Faith, and particularly for preaching it to the Gentile World. 14. And *Ver. 10. That ye may approve the Things that are Excellent, εις τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τὰ διαφέροντα, "That ye may examine "into, and [proportionably] approve of, Things, according as they differ in their Excellency and Importance. A.D.62. 2, 3, &c. 14 And many of are much more bold 15 Some indeed preach Chrift even of •See Cap.ii. envy and ftrife, and fome alfo of good will. 16 The one preach Chrift of contention, not fincerely +, fuppofing to add affliction to my bonds: 14. And my Patience and Courage under it has raised the Spirits of feveral Chriftians, to profefs and preach the fame Doctrine openly and undauntedly. a 15, 16, & 17. There is indeed Sett of Jewish Converts, that preach it more out of Oppofition to me, than out of Love to the Gospel itself. Their Business is to deprefs my Character, and encrease my Sufferings, (becaufe I will not allow the Ceremonial Law to be neceffary to a Chriftian's Salvation.) But, thank God, there are others that stand up for me and my Principles, being fully fatisfied what I preach is by Divine Commiffion, and that I am a Sufferer for the true Gospel Doctrine. 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am fet for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Chrift is preached ; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this fhall turn to my falvation through your prayer, and the fupply of the Spirit of Jefus Chrift. 18. And tho' these two Parties preach out of very different and contrary Designs; yet there is this Advantage, that they both contribute to make the Chriftian Religion in general more known in the World; which is, and always fhall be a great Satisfaction to me. 19. And I am affured the prefent Malice intended against me will prove fo fhort of fucceeding, that it will rather contribute to my Deliverance. For which I queftion not your Prayers, and the Spirit of Christ, to affist me to plead my Cause t 20 As + Ver. 16. Not fincerely, xyvas: Not without Mixture, viz. of Jewish Ceremonies with the Chriftian Faith. Turn to my Salvation ; is σwonfiav: Not to his future Sal vation, but to his Deliverance at his Trial at Rome. 20 According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I fhall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, fe now alfo Chrift fhall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or 21 For to me to live is Chrift, and to die is gain. 20. As therefore the only Thing A.D.62. I defire is, to demonftrate the Power and Excellency of Chrift's Religion, either by living longer to preach it, or by couragioufly dying for it; I fhall not fail, in this Juncture, to defend it publickly, as I have always hitherto done. by death. 21. The only Difference between Life and Death, to me is, that by the one I fhall continue the longer in Chrift's Service, and by the other fhall be the fooner rewarded. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour; yet what I shall choose 22. 'Tis infinitely worth my Pains and Sufferings indeed, to continue here ftill, and do Service to his Religion; yet is the Profpect of my future Happiness fo ravifhing and fweet, that, were it left to my own Choice, I fhould hardly know which to determine as beft for me. I wot not. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I fhall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith: 26 That your re 23 & 24. Thus are my Defires ftreightned between the two Conditions of longer Life and present Death. To die and be with Chrift would be much the more immediate Benefit to me; but to live longer is better for you and the Chriftian Church; and I am very free to do it. 25 & 26. And because it is fo, I am fully perfwaded God will fo order it, that I fhall live and fee you again, to your ftill further Advancement and Comfort in the Christian Faith. joicing may be more abundant in Jefus Chrift for me, by my coming to you again. 27 Only A.D. 62. 27 Only let your converfation be as it your becometh the gospel 28 And in nothing 27. But whether I do or not, let me earnestly exhort you to go on in a Life agreeable to the Gospel Religion; that I may hear a comfortable Account how vigorously and unanimoufly you promote the Credit and Honour of the Chriftian Faith; without partial Diftinction betwixt Circumcifed and Uncircumcised Converts. 28. And how undauntedly you bear the Threats and Perfecutions of your Adverfaries, which, while they fhow them to be an obftinate and incurable People, bent upon their own Destruction; fo will the patient suffering under them become to you a means of eternal Happiness and Salvation. and that of God. + Ver. 28. Which is to them an evident Token of Perdition, &c. Note, The Word Which may refer to the Philippians ftanding faft; and the Token of Perdition to Them may fignify, That their Adverfaries took this Stedfaftnefs of theirs to be a Token of their Perdition; but, fays the Apostle, look you upon it as a Token of your Salvation. CHAP. |