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2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2:12 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.

2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 2:15 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; 2:16 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.

2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

2:19 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.

2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

2:23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

2:25 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.

2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

2:27 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.

2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.



Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Philippians
Book: Philippians
Chapter: 2

Overview:
Exhortations to a kind, humble Spirit and behaviour. (1-4) The
Example of Christ. (5-11) Diligence in the affairs of Salvation,
and to be examples to the world. (12-18) The Apostle's purpose
of visiting Philippi. (19-30)

1-4 Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to
like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the Example
of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the Law of Christ's kingdom, the
lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives
to brotherly Love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the
benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one
to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people
like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us
a Spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and
quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable
allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not
be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor
outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind.

5-11 The Example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We
must resemble him in his Life, if we would have the benefit of
his Death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature,
and human nature. Who being in the form of God, partaking the
Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, Joh
1:1, had not thought it a Robbery to be equal with God, and to
receive Divine Worship from men. His human nature; herein he
became like us in all things except Sin. Thus low, of his own
will, he stooped from the Glory he had with the Father before
the world was. Christ's two states, of humiliation and
exaltation, are noticed. Christ not only took upon him the
likeness and fashion, or form of a Man, but of one in a low
state; not appearing in splendour. His whole Life was a Life of
poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the
Death of the Cross, the Death of a malefactor and a Slave;
exposed to public Hatred and scorn. The exaltation was of
Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of
Jesus, not the mere sound of the Word, but the authority of
Jesus, all should pay solemn homage. It is to the Glory of God
the Father, to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his
will, that all men should honour the Son as they honour the
Father, Joh 5:23. Here we see such motives to self-denying
Love as nothing else can supply. Do we thus Love and obey the
Son of God?

12-18 We must be diligent in the use of all the means which
lead to our Salvation, persevering therein to the End. With
great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short.
Work out your Salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This
encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be
in vain: we must still depend On the Grace of God. The working
of God's Grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours.
God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do
your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with
it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By
peaceableness; give No just occasion of Offence. The children of
God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others
are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless
and harmless. The doctrine and Example of consistent believers
will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and
Holiness, even as the Light-House warns mariners to avoid rocks,
and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to
shine. The Gospel is the Word of Life, it makes known to us
eternal Life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness
and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes
constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that
believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are So
happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice
with them.

19-30 It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us.
Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a
willing Heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own
credit, ease, and safety, before Truth, Holiness, and duty; but
Timothy did not So. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take
pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to
go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who
had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was
caused By the work of God. The Apostle urges them to Love him
the more On that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our
mercies restored By God, after great danger of their removal;
and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer
to Prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.

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