fuch irreclaimable Prejudices and Practices God will de- A.D. 62, stroy their whole Nation with a moft exemplary De ftruction. 20 For our conver fation is in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jefus Christ: 20. Directly contrary to their worldly Principles, a Chriftian ought to look further and higher, and confider himself as a Citizen of Heaven, from whence he one Day expects to behold Jefus his Saviour descending, to raise and exalt him thither. 21. To transform these frail * up after him * See 1 Thef iv. 17. CHA P. IV. The CONTENTS. The Encouragements to Chriftian Conftancy, Chearfulness, and Refignation, continued. He exprefleth the due Senfe he had of the Philippians Kindness to him. The Apostle's Courage and Contentedness under all Conditions of Life. The Salutations and Conclufion. T Herefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, fo ftand faft in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I befeech Euodi 1. AND thus, my dear Chriftian Converts, in whofe Steddinefs to the Faith I glory and triumph, continne ftill firm and unanimous in your Profeffion, from all the foregoing Confiderations. 2. I particularly entreat Euodias as, and befeech Syn- and Syntiche to do thus, and not to tiche, that they be of be led afide by the Jewish Zealots. 3 And the fame mind in the Lord. ་་་་ 3. And A.D. 62. 3 And I intreat thee alfo,* true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fel low-labourers, whofe names are in the book of life. of everlasting Life |, 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I fay, rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 3. And I beg of you, my true Chriftian Brother and Fellow Apoftle, to give your Affistance to thofe + pious Women that laboured fo heartily to ferve me, while I preached in your Parts; along with Clement and all thofe my Fellow-labourers in the Christian Miniftry, who, I verily believe, are to be Partakers of the Reward as truly fincere Chriftians. 4. I exhort you again and again, to rejoice and be chearful under the Hopes and Privileges of your ChriStian Profeffion. 5. Show an even, patient, and contented Spirit toward all that oppofe and perfecute you: Be not rigorous in infifting upon your utmoft Right, nor impatient in fuffering Wrongs. Remember, the Judge is not far off, that will take Vengeance on your furious Adverfaries, and reward your Christian Patience. 6. Be *True Yoke fellow. Who the Apoftle particularly means, is not agreed upon by Interpreters. + Ver. 3. Thofe Women: Probably he means Euodias and Syntiche, beforementioned. With Clement and the reft, &c. These Words may be joined either to σύζυγε γνήσιε, True Yoke-fellow, or to αἵτινες συνήθλησαν pol, those who laboured with me and Clement. The latter seems most probable. Whofe Names are written in the Book of Life. It is a Jewish Phrafe, and does not at all imply any abfolute Decree or Predeftination to eternal Life; but fignifies their being Registered in that Corporation or Society where Eternal Life was the Privilege, on Condition of Faith and Obedience to Chrift's Religion: Alluding to both the Jewish, Greek, and Roman Cultom of Registering the Inhabitants of every City and great Town; and then blotting out their Names again as faft as they died. Exod. xxxii. 32. with my Note on that Paffage. See also my Note on Revelat. iii. 5. See 6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing, by prayer and fupplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which paffeth all understanding, fhall keep your hearts and minds, through Chrift Jefus. 6. Be not anxioufly careful, or A.D. 62. fhow any Diftraction under your greatest Sufferings. But commend yourselves and your Cause to God, in Prayer for his Affiftance, and in Thanksgiving for all his former Mercies; and he will not fail to comfort and fupport you. 7. For the continual Senfe of the divine Favour and Mercy, and the lively Hope of the Happiness and Reward procured for you by Jefus Chrift, will guard you under all Tryals, and give you that inward Satisfaction and Complacency of Mind that no Tongue can exprefs, nor any Heart conceive, but fuch as enjoy it. 8 Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are juft, what foever things are 8. In fine; be conftant in the Study and Practice of Truth, Decency, Juftice, and Purity; and of every Virtue that is lovely and commendable, or that favours of whatsoever things are a couragious and manly Difpofilovely, whatsoever tion. pure, things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Thofe things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and feen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the lait your care of me A.D. 62. 11 Not that I speak in refpect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abafed, and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am inftruct 11. Not that I was reduced to abfolute Want, or was uneasy, before you fent Epaphroditus to me; for though I had but little, I have learnt to be contented with any thing. 12. I am become fo perfectly Mafter of myfelf, as to bear, with an equal Mind, the utmoft Degrees either of Profperity or Adverfity. ed, both to be full 13 I can do all * * πάντα. me. 14 Notwithstanding, ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philip- municated with me, 13. I can do or suffer any Hardfhip in the Courfe of my Apoftolical* Office, through the Affiftance of Jefus Chrift, who is ever prefent to fupport me. 14. However, you did very Chriftianly and well, in fending me a Supply; and in the Tokens you have given me, how much you fympathize with me in my prefent Affliction. 15 & 16. And I must acknowledge, to your particular Credit, that while I was Preaching in your Parts, I received Contributions from no Church but yours, and especially at my leaving Macedonia, and while I was at Theffalonica, you fent Collections to me feveral times. 16 For even in Theffalonica ye fent once and again unto my neceffity. 17 Not because I defire a gift but I defire fruit that may abound to your account. 17. Nor do I remind you of this your Kindness to me, with the least Defign to draw more from you. My Acknowledgments for what is done to my felf, are purely purely to encourage you in general to fuch excellent A. D. 62. Acts of Chriftian Charity and Beneficence, as will be most amply and gloriously rewarded. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were fent from you, an odour of a fweet smell, a facrifice 19 But my God fhall fupply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jefus. 18. What you have now fent is abundantly enough for me; and God will accept it as the best Sacrifice you could offer up to him. acceptable, well-pleafing to God. 19. And the fame God, whofe Apostle I am, will not fail, out of the infinite Fulness of divine Goodnefs towards us, in the glorious Difpenfation of Jefus Chrift, to give you a plentiful Return of Supplies, for your Liberali ty towards me. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Salute every faint in Chrift Jefus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the faints 20 Now to him, our fupream Creator and Father, be Glory for ever and ever. Amen. the Chriftians in your Parts, as all 21 & 22. My hearty Love to all the Chriftian Brethren here give theirs to you and them; particufalute you, chiefly larly the Converts that belong to the Emperor's Court. they that are of Cefar's houfhold. 23 The grace of 23. The Love and Favour of our Lord Jefus Christ our Lord Jefus Chrift be with be with you all. Amen. you all. Amen. ¶ It was written to the Philippians from Rome, by Epaphroditus. *Ver. 21. The Brethren; viz. The Minifters, in Contradiflinction to the Saints here, and in the following Verse. A PARA |