Phil. 4 Phil. 4:1 Paul exciteth to steadfastness in Christ, Phil. 4:2 and after some particular admonitions, Phil. 4:3–4 exhorteth generally to religious joy, Phil. 4:5 moderation, Phil. 4:6–7 trust in God with prayer, Phil. 4:8–9 and to every branch of moral goodness. Phil.

Therefore; this particle connotes that which follows to be inferred by way of conclusion from what he had premised in the close of the former chapter, in opposition to the shame of the earthly-minded, concerning the glory of the heavenly-minded.

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche: after his general persuasive to perseverance, he doth here particularly by name with great affectionateness importune two women, who had been very useful in that church for the furtherance of the gospel, that they would come to a better understanding of each…

And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow; he subjoins his most importunate request to some eminent person who did faithfully and sincerely draw in the same yoke of Christ with him, even such another in that church at Philippi, (whom they well knew from the freedom he used when he planted the…

He doth here, considering the importance of Christian cheerfulness, which he had twice before put them upon, Phil. 2:18, Phil. 3:1, stir them up to true rejoicing, not only by repetition of the injunction, but by extending the duty to all times, and under all conditions.

Let your moderation be known; exercising an even temper of mind, in governing the sensual appetite, with modesty, patience, and gentleness, in opposition to all impetuousness and inordinacy of affections, yea, to all excess and exorbitances in words and actions.

Be careful for nothing; he dissuades not from a spiritual care, arising from a good principle, according to a right rule, for a good end; this care of diligence, in a due manner, within our own sphere, is incumbent on us, both for spirituals and temporals; as Phil. 2:20; with Rom. 12:11, 2 Cor.

He adds, as an encouragement to prayer, the peace of God, who was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, so that upon believing and obeying the gospel, they who really do so are reconciled to him, 2 Cor. 5:19–20, and at peace with him, Rom.

As to what remains, he doth, with the fair compellation of brethren, furthermore propose to their serious consideration, living in the neighbourhood of the Gentiles, what he doth here, hastening to a conclusion, heap up and fold together: especially, whatsoever things are true, agree with truth and…

Those things, which ye have both learned; he recommends to their serious practice not new things, but those weighty matters which they had before learned of him when preaching amongst them. And received, and heard; yea, and approved as worthy to be kept.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly; he signifies that he had been much raised in true spiritual (not carnal) joy, that the Lord had by his Spirit wrought in them such enlargedness of heart, as did show itself in their care of him for the sake of Christ.

Not that I speak in respect of want: he doth anticipate any conceit they might have, as if he had a mean soul, and his joy were solely for the fruit of their care be had received in the supply of his want, as the same word is elsewhere used, Matt. 12:44.

He explains the equality of his mind he had through grace attained to, in a free submission to God, either in the absence or affluence of external good things.

Having written of the great things he had learned, that it might not be attributed to his proud conceit, or give occasion to any others’ vanity to boast, (as he had recourse before to the Divine efficiency to will and do, Phil.

Lest any should suspect, from what he had suggested of his contentment, that he was not much affected with their liberality, but might have done as well without as with it, and they might have spared their bounty and labour, he doth prudently commend their Christian commiseration, (as the phrase…

He amplifies the present favour the Christians at Philippi had vouchsafed to him, by a thankful recollection of their former liberality. In the beginning of the gospel; soon after he had preached and planted the good things of salvation amongst them, Phil. 2:22, Acts 16:12–13, Acts 16:40.

They, for their parts, were most commendable in this matter, that when he was in Thessalonica, the mother city, (not above twenty-five miles distant), their care for his comfortable livelihood was more than once manifested, he passing again and again through Macedonia, 1 Cor. 16:5, 2 Cor.

Neither would he have any of them to think, as if his commendation of them were any oblique insinuations, with design to draw something more from them; he would have them to understand he did not seek himself, or theirs for his use, (as elsewhere, 1 Cor. 10:33, 2 Cor.

He further testifies his thankfulness from the effect their gratuity had upon him, by three words here which declare the same thing, viz. that he was abundantly satisfied, having all that he could wish, even enough and more; so that he did not expect any thing more than what he had already received…

But my God: see Phil. 4:3; he saith my God, because he imputeth and owneth that to be done to himself which is done according to his mind unto any of his ambassadors, he having received the gift from their hand by Paul.

From thanking of the Philippians, the holy man passeth to a giving of thanks unto God, the first cause, that they might not be elated. He had my God, Phil.

He doth friendly embrace and wish happiness to all and every sanctified one who is a member of Christ, hath entirely resigned up to him, and doth abide in him.

The rest of the Christians at Rome do the same; more especially they of Nero the emperor’s own family and court, his domestics, Phil. 1:13. It seems there were some there truly pious and Christian: but however some conceit, there is no real evidence that Seneca was of that number; he being not a…

He concludes this (like his other Epistles) much as he began, (see on Phil. 1:2), praying the same grace of the Lord might abide with them, which he had prayed to them all, Phil. 1:1. Amen; not at all doubting, but with full confidence trusting, all should be firm, as he had prayed.