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 ...

CHAP. IV.

THere remains now the last way of confirming the Philippians in Faith and Holiness, by some Ex∣hortations, and a Commendation of their liberality to∣wards him.

There are especially two parts of the Chapter: In the first hee exhorts them unto Christian virtues, unto vers. 10. In the other hee shews his gratitude towards the Phi∣lippians for that present which they sent him, to vers. 20. After these follows the conclusion of the whole Epistle.

Vers. 1. Therefore, my Brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my Ioy and Crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

The Exhortations to Christian Virtues are seven.

(1) That they would safely keep the Doctrine of Christs Grace and Virtue, stedfastly persevering in Faith and Holiness. The Arguments hereof are two, (1) From the earnest love which the person exhorting bears towards them, which hee discovers by various compellations. (2) Yee have hitherto been so constant, and have so profited in the Faith of the Gospel, that you have brought both joy and credit to mee your Teacher: Therefore hold on still.

Vers. 2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntiche, that they bee of the same mind in the Lord.

Exhort. (2) Is particular, unto two women that were no mean ones in the Church, who, as it seems, did not agree with the Church in matters pertaining to Religi∣on, and were at variance betwixt themselves, these hee entreats by name, that laying aside disagreement in opinions and affections, they would maintain such a holy and sincere peace, as God should approve of.

Vers. 3. And I intreat thee also, true yoak fol∣low, help those Women which laboured with mee in

the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Exhort. (3) To some one of the Pastors, who was in∣timate with the Apostle, and better known to him than others, that hee would do his indeavour to reduce these women to the right way, and to agreement betwixt them∣selves. The reason i••, Because that when the Apostle did first gather a Church at Philippi, these two women did earnestly labour and strive, according to their place, to promote the business of the Gospel, together with o∣ther brethren, whereof Clement was one, and some other private beleevers who were the Apostles helpers in ga∣thering the Church of the Philippians, all which though it were needless to name, yet hee sayes their names were written in the book of life, that is, they are of the Elect, which may suffice them.

Vers. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoyce.

Exhort. (4.) That acknowledging the matter of joy in Christ, they would rejoyce with stedfast gladness in both prosperity and adversity, and in every change of their condition whatsoever.

Vers. 5. Let your moderation bee known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Exhort. (5.) That they would not deal in strictness of Law with their neighbours, but rather considering their condition, lose something of their own right, that every one might take notice of this their moderation. The reason is, because the Lord is in the midst of us, by the presence of his Spirit, and also his visible coming to Judgement is not far off.

Vers. 6. Bee carefull for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests bee made known unto God.

Exhort. (6.) That endeavouring to fulfil their duties, they would take heed of having a distrustful carefulness in any business, and that in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving they would cast their cares into the lap of God.

Vers. 7. And the peace of God which passeth all under∣standing, shall keep your hearts and mindes through Christ Iesus.

The reason of the Exhortation is, because by this means they might gain that peace or tranquillity of minde (transcending any capacity of natural reason) which God hath granted to beleevers, as if thereby hee would guard their hearts by a kinde of Military engine, against the temptations of the Devil and the world, and would preserve their mindes stedfast in Christ.

Vers. 8. Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there bee any virtue, and if there bee any praise, think on these things.

Exhort. (7.) That they would not bee averse from any vertue which they observed among the Heathens, but on the other side, after a serious examination would im∣brace whatever they found true, grave, or honourable, just, and pure, and whatever was lovely in manners, or worthy of commendation.

Vers. 9. Those things which yee have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in mee, do; and the God of peace shall bee with you.

Hee confirms this Exhortation by two Arguments.

Argum. 1. From his own example, that the Apostle had both taught and done these things when hee was a∣mong them, as they themselves could witness.

And the God] Argum. 2. From the blessed effect, that by this means, they should finde the peace of God, and communion with the God of peace more firm and constant.

The Second Part.

Vers. 10. But I rejoyced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of mee hath flourished again, wherein you were also careful, but yee lacked oppor∣tunity.

The second part of the Chapter follows, where∣in that hee may shew his thankfulness to the Phi∣lippians, for the money they sent him by Epaphroditus, hee commends this their action by ten Arguments. (1.) Because that relief sent from them was very ac∣ceptable to him. (2.) Because the sending of that pre∣sent did proceed from the vertue and habit of Christian liberallty which was in them, which habit like a living root, had manifested it self in this action. Argum. (3.) Because hereby it might bee perceived their backward∣ness to send this succour, was not caused by any defect of charity, but want of opportunity.

Vers. 11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to bee content.

12. I know both how to bee abased, and I know how to abound; every where, and in all things I am in∣structed, both to bee full, and to bee hungry, both to abound and suffer need.

By the way in preventing an Objection, hee removes a suspicion of himself, as if hee had been more sorrow∣full before the receiving of this succour, or that for his own sake hee was glad of the money sent to him: This hee proves by his own equanimity and moderation of minde in every condition, that hee was one who had learned to bear both prosperity and adversity with an e∣qual minde, and was ever content with the present main∣tenance of his life.

Vers. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengthneth mee.

Hee ascribes the glory of this equanimity and mode∣rate minde in all things unto Christ, by vertue of whom he was inabled thereunto.

Vers. 14. Notwithstanding, yee have well done that you did communicate with my affliction.

Argum. (4.) Hee commends their deed, in that it was a communicating with his affliction.

Vers. 15. Now yee Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Ma∣cedonia, no Church communicated with mee, as con∣cerning giving and receiving, but yee only.

Argum 5. Because they only of all the Churches in Macedonia, from the first preaching of the Gospel, until that time, had communicated with him, by way of giving and receiving.

Vers. 16. For even in Thessalonica yee sent once and again unto my necessity.

Argum. 6. That this was the third time they had ex∣ercised their liberality towards him.

Vers. 17. Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Argum. 7. Because this was a fruit of their faith which God would recompence at the day of judgement, in which fruit hee professeth, hee is more delighted than in any particular advantage of his own.

Vers. 18. But I have all, and abound, I am full, ha∣ving received the things of Epaphroditus which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sa∣crifice acceptable, well-pleasing unto God.

Argum. 8. That the sum of mony they writ to him of, was very large (at least in respect of the Apostles esteem and thriftiness) all which whole summe hee acknow∣ledges was delivered to him by Epaphroditus.

An odour] Argum. 9. That this benevolence was no less pleasing and acceptable to God, than any sacrifice which was wont to bee offered under the Law with the most fragrant incense.

Vers. 19. But my God shall supply all your need, accord∣ing to his riches in glory, by Christ Iesus.

Argum. 10. Because that God will reward them in this life for what ever they have bestowed on him, and

that not for any merit of theirs, but out of his own rich and glorious grace through Christ.

Vers. 20. Now unto God and our Father bee glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Now follows the conclusion of the Epistle, which hath three parts. In the first, hee praiseth God for all the a∣foresaid benefits bestowed, or to bee bestowed, as the God, and Father of Beleevers, who out of his Covenant and Fatherly love, doth, and will bestow all good things on them.

Vers. 21. Salute every Saint in Christ Iesus; the Bre∣thren which are with mee greet you.

22. All the Saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesars houshold.

In the second hee placeth his, and those Evangelists sa∣lutations which were with him, whom hee particularly calls Brethren, in respect of their Pastoral office; then hee adds the salutations of the rest of the Saints which were at Rome, putting a distinction betwixt Brethren, labouring in the Ministery of the Gospel, and other Saints, among whom hee particularly names those of the houshold of Nero, that they might know there were also some Courtiers even in Neroes Palace, who durst profess Faith in Christ, and communion with other loving Christians.

Vers. 23. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with you all. Amen.

In the third hee shuts up the Epistle with the accusto∣med Apostolical benediction, wishing the Philippians the favour of Christ, and all good things which flow there∣from.