An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

The Second Part.

Vers. 19. But I trust in the Lord Iesus, to send Ti∣motheus shortly unto you, that I also may bee of good comfo••t, when I know your estate.

The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein hee comforts the Philippians by the commendation of Timothy, who was about to come unto them; (adding hope of his comming) and of Epaphroditus, who was now come to them: for the Philippians had need of these helps against seducers, and ill-spirited idle men, who lay in wait to ensnare them, and to make work for them.

That I also] The Apostle shews the end of his sending Timothy to bee this, That they might receive comfort from the tydings of his freedome from bonds, brought un∣to them by Timothy, and that hee also by Timothies re∣turn from them might have comfort from the tydings of their prosperous condition.

Vers. 20. For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.

The Arguments of Timothies commendation are three.

Argum. 1. Because there was no one who had so rea∣dy and sincere a mind for their salvation, or their state, and to further their comfort, as Timothy.

Vers. 21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Iesus Christs.

Argum. 2. Because that when almost all that were with him, seeking their own profit and ease, did refuse to take so long a journey for the Philippians comfort; Timothy alone was ready for the journey, preferring the business of Christ and the Church, before his own ease and advantage.

Vers. 22. But yee know the proof of him, that as a Son with the Father, hee hath served with mee in the Gospel.

Argum. 3. Because they knew by experience that Timothy had formerly served them in the Gospel with the same mind that the Apostle did.

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

24. But I trust in the Lord, that I also my self shall come shortly.

Hee shews that the time of sending Timothy shall bee as soon as hee is assured of his freedome from bonds; hee also gives them hope of his own comming: for hee him∣self did hope that by the goodness of God, ere it were long, hee should bee delivered from prison.

Vers. 25. Yet I supposed it necessary, to send unto you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour, and fellow-souldier, but your messenger, and hee that ministred to my wants.

Th••s far of the hope of the Apostles own coming, and of Timothies; now follows the sending back of Epaphroditus the Philippians Pastor, who had brought mony for Pauls use, and for a time had ministred to him in prison: Hee commends him in five honourable Epithites or Titles. (1) His Brother. (2) His companion in labour. (3) Fellow-souldier. (4) The faithful messenger of the Phi∣lippians: And (5) The publick Minister to the Apostles necessity in prison.

Vers. 26. For hee longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that yee had heard that hee had been sick.

Hee adds four causes of sending him back, which would serve also for his commendation. (1) The Pastoral love of Epaphroditus towards the Philippians. (2) His trouble for the Philippians grief, because hee knew they would hear certainly of his sickness, but nothing of his recovery.

Vers. 27. For indeed hee was sick nigh unto death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him onely, but on mee also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Hee confirms the tydings of Epaphroditus his sickness, and commends the special grace of God shewn to Epa∣phroditus and himself, whereby God was careful to re∣store Epaphroditus to health, lest the Apostle should bee too much afflicted.

Vers. 28. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that when yee see him again, yee may rejoyce, and that I may bee the less sorrowful.

(3) The joy of the Philippians was another cause. (4) The ease of the Apostles sickness, who for the Philippians sake would deprive himself of Epaphroditus his service, otherwise very necessary to him, rather than hee would suffer them any longer to want their Minister.

Vers. 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in reputation.

Hence hee wisheth them to receive him according to his worth, and to esteem of him and such Ministers, as Jewels and treasures.

Vers. 30. Because for the work of Christ hee was nigh

unto death, not regarding his life to supply your lack of service towards mee.

Hee adds four Reasons of his desire; (1.) Because hee had carried on the work of Christ in comforting the Apostle. (2.) Because hee had ministred to the Apostle with danger of his life. (3.) Because hee preferred the service hee undertook before his own life, being more heedless of his own health, than of taking care of the Apostles business. (4.) Because hee had supplied the Philippians absence (who as they ought) did earnestly desire to serve the Apostles necessities.