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rwp@1Corinthians:7:29 @{But this I say} (\touto de phˆmi\. Note \phˆmi\ here rather than \leg“\ (verses 8,12|). A new turn is here given to the argument about the present necessity. {The time is shortened} (\ho kairos sunestalmenos estin\). Perfect periphrastic passive indicative of \sustell“\, old verb to place together, to draw together. Only twice in the N.T., here and strkjv@Acts:5:6| which see. Found in the papyri for curtailing expenses. Calvin takes it for the shortness of human life, but apparently Paul pictures the foreshortening of time (opportunity) because of the possible nearness of and hope for the second coming. But in Philippians Paul faces death as his fate (Phillipians:1:21-26|), though still looking for the coming of Christ (3:20|). {That henceforth} (\to loipon hina\). Proleptic position of \to loipon\ before \hina\ and in the accusative of general reference and \hina\ has the notion of result rather than purpose (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 997). {As though they had none} (\h“s mˆ echontes\). This use of \h“s\ with the participle for an assumed condition is regular and \mˆ\ in the _Koin‚_ is the normal negative of the participle. Songs:the idiom runs on through verse 31|.

rwp@1Corinthians:9:6 @{Have we not a right to forbear working?} (\ouk echomen exousian mˆ ergazesthai;\). By \ˆ\ (or) Paul puts the other side about Barnabas (the only allusion since the dispute in strkjv@Acts:15:39|, but in good spirit) and himself. Perhaps (Hofmann) Paul has in mind the fact that in the first great mission tour (Acts:13; 14|), Barnabas and Paul received no help from the church in Antioch, but were left to work their way along at their own charges. It was not till the Philippian Church took hold that Paul had financial aid (Phillipians:4:15|). Here both negatives have their full force. Literally, Do we not have (\ouk echomen\, expecting the affirmative reply) the right not (\mˆ\, negative of the infinitive \ergazesthai\) to do manual labour (usual meaning of \ergazomai\ as in strkjv@4:12|)?" There was no more compulsion on Paul and Barnabas to support themselves than upon the other workers for Christ. They renounced no rights in being voluntarily independent.

rwp@1Corinthians:9:25 @{corruptible crown} (\phtharton stephanon\). \Stephanos\ (crown) is from \steph“\, to put around the head, like the Latin _corona_, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. "Yet these were the most coveted honours in the whole Greek world" (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ's head see strkjv@Matthew:27:29; strkjv@Mark:15:17; strkjv@John:19:2,5|. \Diadˆma\ (diadem) was for kings (Revelation:12:3|). Favourite metaphor in N.T., the crown of righteousness (2Timothy:4:8|), the crown of life (James:1:12|), the crown of glory (1Peter:5:4|), the crown of rejoicing (1Thessalonians:2:9|), description of the Philippians (Phillipians:4:1|). Note contrast between \phtharton\ (verbal adjective from \phtheir“\, to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and \aphtharton\ (same form with \a\ privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory (1Peter:5:4|).

rwp@Info_1Peter @ SOME BOOKS Alford, H., Vol. IV. 1 of his _Greek Testament_ (1870). Baldwin, _The Fisherman of Galilee_ (1923). Barnes, _St. Peter in Rome and His Tomb on the Vatican Hill_. Beck, J. T., _Erklarung der Briefe Petri_ (1895). Bennett, W. H., _New-Century Bible_ (1901). Bigg, C., _Intern. Crit. Comm_. (1901). Birks, _Studies in the Life and Character of St. Peter_ (1887). Blenkin, _The First Ep. General of St. Peter_ (1915). Camerlinck, _Commentarius in epistolas catholicas_ (1909). Cooke and Lumby, _Speaker's Comm_. (1881). Couard, _Commentaire_ (1895). Couard, _Simon Petrus der Apostel des Herrn_. Davidson, _St. Peter and His Training_. Elert, _Die Religiositat des Petrus_ (1911). Erbes, _Die Todestage der Apostels Paulus and Petrus_ (1899). Foakes-Jackson, F. J., _Peter Prince of Apostles_ (1927). Foster, Ora D., _The Literary Relations of the First Epistle of Peter_ (1913). Fouard, C., _St. Peter and the First Years of Christianity_ (1892). Gallagher, M., _Was the Apostle Peter Ever at Rome?_ (1894). Goutard, _Essai critique et historique sur la prem. e'pitre de S. Pierre_ (1905). Green, S. G., _The Apostle Peter: His Life and Letters_ (1880). Guignebert, _Lamentations:Primaute' de Pierre et la Venue de Pierre a Rome_ (1909). Gunkel, H., _Die Schriften d. N.T_. 3 Aufl. (1917). Hart, J. H. A., _Expos. Greek Test_. (1910). Henriott, _Saint Pierre_ (1891). Hort, F. J. A., _The First Epistle of St. Peter strkjv@1:1-2:17_ (1898). Howson, J., _Horae Petrinae_ (1883). Jenkins, R. C., _The Apostle Peter. Claims of Catholics_ (1875). Johnstone, _The First Epistle of Peter_ (1888). Kasteren, Van, _Deuteronomy:Eerste Brief Van d. Ap. Petrus_ (1911). Keil, C. F., _Comm. uber die Briefe des Petrus und Juda_ (1883). Knopf, R., _Die Briefe Petri und Juda_ (1912). Kogel, J., _Die Gedankenheit des Ersten Briefes Petri_ (1902). Kuhl, E., _Die Briefe Petri und Judae_ (Meyer Komm., 6 Aufl., 1897). Lietzmann, _Petrus and Paulus in Rom_. Lumby, J. R., _Expositor's Bible_ (1893). Masterman, J. H. B., _Epistles of St. Peter_ (1900). McInnis, J.M., _Simon Peter Fisherman and Philosopher_ (1928). Meyer, F. B., _Peter: Fisherman, Disciple, Apostle_ (1920). Moffatt, James, _Moffatt Comm. on N.T._ (1930). Monneir, J., _Lamentations:premiere e'pitre de l'apotre Pierre_ (1900). Perdelwitz, _Die Mysterienreligion und das Problem des ersten Petrusbriefes_ (1911). Plumptre, _Cambridge Bible_ (1879). Reagan, _The Preaching of Peter, the Beginning of Christian Apologetics_ (1922). Robinson, C. G., _Simon Peter: His Life and Times_ (1889). Ross, J. M. E., _The First Epistle of Peter_ (1913). Salmond, A. D. F., _Schaff's Comm_. (1883). Scharfe, _Die petrinische Stromung der neut. Literatur_ (1893). Schmid, _Petrus in Rome_ (1879). Seeley, _The Life and Writings of St. Peter_. Soden, Von, H., _Hand-Komm_. (3 Aufl., 1899). Taylor, W. M., _Peter the Apostle_ (1876). Thomas, W. H., Griffith, _The Apostle Peter_ (2nd ed., 1905). Thompson, _Life-Work of Peter the Apostle_. Upham, _Simon Peter Shepherd_ (1910). Usteri, J. M., _Wiss. und prakt. Komm. uber den I Petrus- brief_ (1887). Volter, D., _Der I Petrusbrief_ (1906). Weiss, B., _Die erste Petrusbrief und die Kritik_ (1906). _Der petrinische Lehrbegriff_ (1855). Williams, N. M., _American Comm_. Windisch, H., _Die Katholische Briefe. Handbuch zum N.T._ (2 Aufl., 1930). Wohlenberg, G., _Der erste und zweite Petrusbrief und der Judasbrief_. (Zahn Komm., 2 Aufl., 1915.) strkjv@1Peter:1:1 @{Peter} (\Petros\). Greek form for the Aramaic (Chaldaic) \Cˆphƒs\, the nickname given Simon by Jesus when he first saw him (John:1:42|) and reaffirmed in the Greek form on his great confession (Matthew:16:18|), with an allusion to \petra\, another form for a rock, ledge, or cliff. In strkjv@2Peter:1:1| we have both \Sim“n\ and \Petros\. Paul in his Epistles always terms himself Paul, not Saul. Songs:Peter uses this name, not Cephas or Simon, because he is writing to Christians scattered over Asia Minor. The nominative absolute occurs here as in strkjv@James:1:1|, but without \chairein\ as there, the usual form of greeting in letters (Acts:23:26|) so common in the papyri. {An apostle of Jesus Christ} (\apostolos Iˆsou Christou\). This is his official title, but in strkjv@2Peter:1:1| \doulos\ is added, which occurs alone in strkjv@James:1:1|. In II and III John we have only \ho presbuteros\ (the elder), as Peter terms himself \sunpresbuteros\ in strkjv@1Peter:5:1|. Paul's usage varies greatly: only the names in I and II Thessalonians, the title \apostolos\ added and defended in Galatians and Romans as also in I and II Corinthians and Colossians and Ephesians and II Timothy with "by the will of God" added, and in I Timothy with the addition of "according to the command of God." In Philippians Paul has only "\doulos\ (slave) \Christou Iˆsou\," like James and Jude. In Romans and Titus Paul has both \doulos\ and \apostolos\, like II Peter, while in Philemon he uses only \desmios\ (prisoner) \Iˆsou Christou\. {To the elect} (\eklektois\). Without article (with the article in strkjv@Matthew:24:22,24,31|) and dative case, "to elect persons" (viewed as a group). Bigg takes \eklektois\ (old, but rare verbal adjective from \ekleg“\, to pick out, to select) as an adjective describing the next word, "to elect sojourners." That is possible and is like \genos eklekton\ in strkjv@2:9|. See the distinction between \klˆtoi\ (called) and \eklektoi\ (chosen) in strkjv@Matthew:22:14|. {Who are sojourners} (\parepidˆmois\). Late double compound adjective (\para, epidˆmountes\, strkjv@Acts:2:10|, to sojourn by the side of natives), strangers sojourning for a while in a particular place. Songs:in Polybius, papyri, in LXX only twice (Genesis:23:4|; 38 or 39 12), in N.T. only here, strkjv@2:11; strkjv@Hebrews:11:13|. The picture in the metaphor here is that heaven is our native country and we are only temporary sojourners here on earth. {Of the Dispersion} (\diasporƒs\). See strkjv@John:7:35| for literal sense of the word for scattered (from \diaspeir“\, to scatter abroad, strkjv@Acts:8:1|) Jews outside of Palestine, and strkjv@James:1:1| for the sense here to Jewish Christians, including Gentile Christians (only N T. examples). Note absence of the article, though a definite conception (of the Dispersion). The Christian is a pilgrim on his way to the homeland. These five Roman provinces include what we call Asia Minor north and west of the Taurus mountain range (Hort). Hort suggests that the order here suggests that Silvanus (bearer of the Epistle) was to land in Pontus from the Euxine Sea, proceed through Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, to Bithynia, where he would re-embark for Rome. This, he holds, explains the separation of Pontus and Bithynia, though the same province. Only Galatia and Asia are mentioned elsewhere in the N.T. as having Christian converts, but the N.T. by no means gives a full account of the spread of the Gospel, as can be judged from strkjv@Colossians:1:6,23|.

rwp@2Corinthians:2:4 @{Anguish} (\sunochˆs\). Ablative case after \ek\ (out of). Old word from \sunech“\, to hold together. Songs:contraction of heart (Cicero, _contractio animi_), a spiritual _angina pectoris_. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Luke:21:25|. {With many tears} (\dia poll“n dakru“n\). He dictated that letter "through tears" (accompanied by tears). Paul was a man of heart. He writes to the Philippians with weeping (\klai“n\) over the enemies of the Cross of Christ (Phillipians:3:18|). He twice mentions his tears in his speech at Miletus (Acts:20:19-31|). {But that ye might know the love} (\alla tˆn agapˆn hina gn“te\). Proleptic position of \agapˆn\ and ingressive second aorist active subjunctive \gn“te\, come to know.

rwp@Acts:16:14 @{Lydia} (\Ludia\). Her birthplace was Thyatira in Lydia. She may have been named after the land, though Lydia is a common female name (see Horace). Lydia was itself a Macedonian colony (Strabo, XIII. 4). Thyatira (note plural form like Philippi and one of the seven churches of Asia here strkjv@Revelation:2:18|) was famous for its purple dyes as old as Homer (Iliad, IV. 141) and had a guild of dyers (\hoi bapheis\) as inscriptions show. {A seller of purple} (\porphurop“lis\). A female seller of purple fabrics (\porphura, p“lis\). Late word, masculine form in an inscription. There was a great demand for this fabric as it was used on the official toga at Rome and in Roman colonies. We still use the term "royal purple." See on ¯Luke:16:19|. Evidently Lydia was a woman of some means to carry on such an important enterprise from her native city. She may have been a freed-woman, since racial names were often borne by slaves. {One that worshipped God} (\sebomenˆ ton theon\). A God-fearer or proselyte of the gate. There was a Jewish settlement in Thyatira which was especially interested in the dyeing industry. She probably became a proselyte there. Whether this was true of the other women we do not know. They may have been Jewesses or proselytes like Lydia, probably all of them employees of hers in her business. When Paul writes to the Philippians he does not mention Lydia who may have died meanwhile and who certainly was not Paul's wife. She was wealthy and probably a widow. {Heard us} (\ˆkouen\). Imperfect active of \akou“\, was listening, really listening and she kept it up, listening to each of these new and strange preachers. {Opened} (\diˆnoixen\). First aorist active indicative of \dianoig“\, old word, double compound (\dia, ana, oig“\) to open up wide or completely like a folding door (both sides, \dia\, two). Only the Lord could do that. Jesus had opened (the same verb) the mind of the disciples to understand the Scriptures (Luke:24:45|). {To give heed} (\prosechein\). To hold the mind (\ton noun\ understood), present active infinitive. She kept her mind centred on the things spoken by Paul whose words gripped her attention. She rightly perceived that Paul was the foremost one of the group. He had personal magnetism and power of intellect that the Spirit of God used to win the heart of this remarkable woman to Christ. It was worth coming to Philippi to win this fine personality to the Kingdom of God. She will be the chief spirit in this church that will give Paul more joy and co-operation than any of his churches. It is not stated that she was converted on the first Sabbath, though this may have been the case. "One solitary convert, a woman, and she already a seeker after God, and a native of that very Asia where they had been forbidden to preach" (Furneaux). But a new era had dawned for Europe and for women in the conversion of Lydia.

rwp@Acts:24:27 @{But when two years were fulfilled} (\dietias de plˆr“theisˆs\). Genitive absolute first aorist passive of \plˆro“\, common verb to fill full. \Dietia\, late word in LXX and Philo, common in the papyri, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:28:30|. Compound of \dia\, two (\duo, dis\) and \etos\, year. Songs:Paul lingered on in prison in Caesarea, waiting for the second hearing under Felix which never came. Caesarea now became the compulsory headquarters of Paul for two years. With all his travels Paul spent several years each at Tarsus, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, though not as a prisoner unless that was true part of the time at Ephesus for which there is some evidence though not of a convincing kind. We do not know that Luke remained in Caesarea all this time. In all probability he came and went with frequent visits with Philip the Evangelist. It was probably during this period that Luke secured the material for his Gospel and wrote part or all of it before going to Rome. He had ample opportunity to examine the eyewitnesses who heard Jesus and the first attempts at writing including the Gospel of Mark (Luke:1:1-4|). {Was succeeded by} (\elaben diadochon\). Literally, "received as successor." \Diadochos\ is an old word from \diadechomai\, to receive in succession (\dia, duo\, two) and occurs here alone in the N.T. Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 115) gives papyri examples where \hoi diadochoi\ means "higher officials at the court of the Ptolemies," probably "deputies," a usage growing out of the "successors" of Alexander the Great (Moulton and Milligan's _Vocabulary_), though here the original notion of "successor" occurs (cf. Josephus, _Ant_. XX. 8, 9). Luke does not tell why Felix "received" a successor. The explanation is that during these two years the Jews and the Gentiles had an open fight in the market-place in Caesarea. Felix put the soldiers on the mob and many Jews were killed. The Jews made formal complaint to the Emperor with the result that Felix was recalled and Porcius Festus sent in his stead. {Porcius Festus} (\Porkion Phˆston\). We know very little about this man. He is usually considered a worthier man than Felix, but Paul fared no better at his hands and he exhibits the same insincerity and eagerness to please the Jews. Josephus (_Ant_. XX. 8, 9) says that "Porcius Festus was sent as a successor to Felix." The precise year when this change occurred is not clear. Albinus succeeded Festus by A.D. 62, so that it is probable that Festus came A.D. 58 (or 59). Death cut short his career in a couple of years though he did more than Felix to rid the country of robbers and _sicarii_. Some scholars argue for an earlier date for the recall of Felix. Nero became Emperor Oct. 13, A.D. 54. Poppaea, his Jewish mistress and finally wife, may have had something to do with the recall of Felix at the request of the Jews. {Desiring to gain favour with the Jews} (\thel“n te charita katathesthai tois Ioudaiois\). Reason for his conduct. Note second aorist (ingressive) middle infinitive \katathesthai\ from \katatithˆmi\, old verb to place down, to make a deposit, to deposit a favour with, to do something to win favour. Only here and strkjv@25:9| in N.T., though in some MSS. in strkjv@Mark:15:46|. It is a banking figure. {Left Paul in bonds} (\katelipe ton Paulon dedemenon\). Effective aorist active indicative of \kataleip“\, to leave behind. Paul "in bonds" (\dedemenon\, perfect passive participle of \de“\, to bind) was the "deposit" (\katathesthai\) for their favour. Codex Bezae adds that Felix left Paul in custody "because of Drusilla" (\dia Drousillan\). She disliked Paul as much as Herodias did John the Baptist. Songs:Pilate surrendered to the Jews about the death of Jesus when they threatened to report him to Caesar. Some critics would date the third group of Paul's Epistles (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) to the imprisonment here in Caesarea, some even to one in Ephesus. But the arguments for either of these two views are more specious than convincing. Furneaux would even put strkjv@2Timothy:4:9-22| here in spite of the flat contradiction with strkjv@Acts:21:29| about Trophimus being in Jerusalem instead of Miletus (2Timothy:4:20|), a "mistake" which he attributes to Luke! That sort of criticism can prove anything.

rwp@Acts:28:30 @{Two whole years} (\dietian holˆn\). Only here in N.T. and strkjv@24:27| which see. During these busy years in Rome Paul wrote Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Epistles that would immortalize any man, unless, forsooth, one or more of them was written from Ephesus or Caesarea, which has not yet been proven. {In his own hired dwelling} (\en idi“i misth“mati\). Old word, here only in N.T., that which is hired for a price (from \mistho“\ and that from \misthos\, hire). {Received} (\apedecheto\). Imperfect middle of \apodechomai\, received from time to time as they came, all that came (\eisporeuomenous\) from time to time. {Preaching} (\keruss“n\), {teaching} (\didask“n\), the two things that concerned Paul most, doing both as if his right hand was not in chains, to the amazement of those in Rome and in Philippi (Phillipians:1:12-14|). {None forbidding him} (\ak“lut“s\). Old adverb from \a\ privative and the verbal adjective \k“lutos\ (from \k“lu“\, to hinder), here only in the N.T. Page comments on "the rhythmic cadence of the concluding words." Page rejects the notion that the book is an unfinished work. It closes with the style of a concluded work. I agree with Harnack that Luke wrote the Acts during this period of two years in Rome and carried events no further because they had gone no further. Paul was still a prisoner in Rome when Luke completed the book. But he had carried Paul to "Rome, the capital of the world, _Urbi et Orbi_" (Page). The gospel of Christ has reached Rome. For the fate of Paul we must turn elsewhere. But Luke had the presence of Paul while he carried the Acts to its triumphant conclusion. Ramsay can give a good deal in proof of his claim that Luke is the greatest of all historians. Beyond a doubt his rank is high and the world can never repay its debt to this cultured physician who wrote the Gospel and the Acts.

rwp@Info_Colossians @ THE DATE Clearly it was sent at the same time with the Epistle to Philemon and the one to the Ephesians since Tychicus the bearer of the letter to Ephesus (Ephesians:6:21f.|) and the one to Colossae (Colossians:4:7f.|) was a companion of Onesimus (Colossians:4:9|) the bearer of that to Philemon (Philemon:1:10-12|). If Paul is a prisoner (Colossians:4:3; strkjv@Ephesians:6:20; strkjv@Philemon:1:9|) in Rome, as most scholars hold, and not in Ephesus as Deissmann and Duncan argue, the probable date would be A.D. 63. I still believe that Paul is in Rome when he sends out these epistles. If so, the time would be after the arrival in Rome from Jerusalem as told in strkjv@Acts:28| and before the burning of Rome by Nero in A.D. 64. If Philippians was already sent, A.D. 63 marks the last probable year for the writing of this group of letters.

rwp@Info_Epistles-Pastorial @ Objections on internal grounds are made on the lines laid down by Baur and followed by Renan. They are chiefly four. The "most decisive" as argued by McGiffert (_History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age_, p. 402) is that "the Christianity of the Pastoral Epistles is not the Christianity of Paul." He means as we know Paul in the other Epistles. But this charge is untrue. It is true that Paul here lists faith with the virtues, but he does that in strkjv@Galatians:5:22|. Nowhere does Paul give a loftier word about faith than in strkjv@1Timothy:1:12-17|. Another objection urged is that the ecclesiastical organization seen in the Pastoral Epistles belongs to the second century, not to the time of Paul's life. Now we have the Epistles of Ignatius in the early part of the second century in which "bishop" is placed over "elders" of which there is no trace in the New Testament (Lightfoot). A forger in the second century would certainly have reproduced the ecclesiastical organization of that century instead of the first as we have it in the Pastoral Epistles. There is only here the normal development of bishop (=elder) and deacon. A third objection is made on the ground that there is no room in Paul's life as we know it in the Acts and the other Pauline Epistles for the events alluded to in the Pastoral Epistles and it is also argued on late and inconclusive testimony that Paul was put to death A.D. 64 and had only one Roman imprisonment. If Paul was executed A.D. 64, this objection has force in it, though Bartlet (_The Apostolic Age_) tries to make room for them in the period covered by the Acts. Duncan makes the same attempt for the Pauline scraps admitted by him as belonging to the hypothecated imprisonment in Ephesus. But, if we admit the release of Paul from the first Roman imprisonment, there is ample room before his execution in A.D. 68 for the events referred to in the Pastoral Epistles and the writing of the letters (his going east to Ephesus, Macedonia, to Crete, to Troas, to Corinth, to Miletus, to Nicopolis, to Rome), including the visit to Spain before Crete once planned for (Romans:15:24,28|) and mentioned by Clement of Rome as a fact ("the limit of the west"). The fourth objection is that of the language in the Pastoral Epistles. Probably more men are influenced by this argument than by any other. The ablest presentation of this difficulty is made by P. N. Harrison in _The Problem of the Pastoral Epistles_ (1921). Besides the arguments Dr. Harrison has printed the Greek text in a fashion to help the eye see the facts. Words not in the other Pauline Epistles are in red, Pauline phrases (from the other ten) are underlined, _hapax legomena_ are marked by an asterisk. At a superficial glance one can see that the words here not in the other Pauline Epistles and the common Pauline phrases are about equal. The data as to mere words are broadly as follows according to Harrison: Words in the Pastorals, not elsewhere in the N.T. (Pastoral _hapax legomena_) 175 (168 according to Rutherford); words in the other ten Pauline Epistles not elsewhere in the N.T. 470 (627 according to Rutherford). Variations in MSS. will account for some of the difficulty of counting. Clearly there is a larger proportion of new words in the Pastorals (about twice as many) than in the other Pauline Epistles. But Harrison's tables show remarkable differences in the other Epistles also. The average of such words per page in Romans is 4, but 5.6 in II Corinthians, 6.2 in Philippians, and only 4 in Philemon. Parry (_Comm._, p. CXVIII) notes that of the 845 words in the Pastorals as compared with each other 278 occur only in I Tim., 96 only in Titus, 185 only in II Tim. "If vocabulary alone is taken, this would point to separate authorship of each epistle." And yet the same style clearly runs through all three. After all vocabulary is not wholly a personal problem. It varies with age in the same person and with the subject matter also. Precisely such differences exist in the writings of Shakespeare and Milton as critics have long ago observed. The only problem that remains is whether the differences are so great in the Pastoral Epistles as to prohibit the Pauline authorship when "Paul the aged" writes on the problem of pastoral leadership to two of the young ministers trained by him who have to meet the same incipient Gnostic heresy already faced in Colossians and Ephesians. My judgment is that, all things considered, the contents and style of the Pastoral Epistles are genuinely Pauline, mellowed by age and wisdom and perhaps written in his own hand or at least by the same amanuensis in all three instances. Lock suggests Luke as the amanuensis for the Pastorals.

rwp@Info_Epistles-Paul @ THE REASON FOR HIS EPISTLES In a real sense Paul's Epistles are tracts for the times, not for the age in general, but to meet real emergencies. He wrote to a particular church or group of churches or persons to meet immediate needs brought to his attention by messengers or letters. Dr. Deissmann contends strongly for the idea of calling Paul's Epistles "letters" rather than "Epistles." He gives a studied literary character to "epistles" as more or less artificial and written for the public eye rather than for definite effect. Four of Paul's Epistles are personal (those to Philemon, Titus, and Timothy) beyond a doubt, but in these which can properly be termed personal letters there are the principles of the gospel applied to personal, social, and ecclesiastical problems in such a pungent fashion that they possess permanent value. In the earliest group of Paul's Epistles, he reminds the Thessalonians of the official character of the Epistle which was meant for the church as a whole (1Thessalonians:5:27|). He says also: "But if any one does not obey our word by the epistle, mark this one, not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame" (2Thessalonians:3:14|). He calls attention to his signature as proof of the genuineness of every epistle (2Thessalonians:3:17|). He gave directions for the public reading of his epistles (Colossians:4:16|). He regarded them as the expression of God's will through the life of the churches and he put his whole heart into them. Two great controversies stirred Paul's life. That with the Judaizers called forth the great doctrinal group (I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Romans). That with the Gnostics occasioned the Epistles to the Colossians and the Ephesians (Laodiceans) and this controversy ran on into the Pastoral Epistles. Each Epistle had its particular occasion which will be pointed out in due season. But even in the short ones like Philippians, Colossians and Ephesians Paul deals with the sublimest of all themes, the Person of Christ, with a masterfulness never equalled elsewhere. Even in I Corinthians, which deals so largely with church problems in Corinth, two great chapters rise to the heights of real eloquence (Chapter strkjv@1Corinthians:13| on Love and Chapter strkjv@1Corinthians:15| on the Resurrection). Romans, the greatest of his Epistles, has the fullest discussion of Paul's gospel of grace and Chapter strkjv@1Corinthians:8| has a sweep of imagination and a grasp of faith unsurpassed. Hence, while denying to Paul the artificial rules of the rhetoricians attributed to him by Blass, I cannot agree that Paul's church Epistles are mere incidental letters. It is not a question whether Paul was writing for posterity or for the present emergency. He wrote for the present emergency in the most effective possible way. He brought the whole gospel message to bear upon the varied and pressing problems of the early Christians in the power of the Holy Spirit with the eloquence of a mind all ablaze with the truth and with a heart that yearned for their souls for Christ. They are not literary epistles, but they are more than personal letters. They are thunderbolts of passion and power that struck centre and that strike fire now for all who will take the trouble to come to them for the mind of Christ that is here.

rwp@Info_Epistles-Paul @ DATES OF HIS EPISTLES Unfortunately there is not complete agreement among scholars as to the dates of some of Paul's Epistles. Baur denied the Pauline authorship of all the Epistles save I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Romans. Today some deny that Paul wrote the Pastoral Epistles, though admitting the others. Some admit Pauline fragments even in the Pastoral Epistles, but more about this when these Epistles are reached. There is more doubt about the date of Galatians than any of the others. Lightfoot put it just before Romans, while Ramsay now makes it the earliest of all. The Epistle itself has no notes of place or time. The Epistles to the Thessalonians were written from Corinth after Timothy had been sent from Athens by Paul to Thessalonica (1Thessalonians:3:1f.|) and had just returned to Paul (1Thessalonians:3:6|) which we know was in Corinth (Acts:18:5|) shortly before Gallio came as Proconsul of Achaia (Acts:18:12|). We can now feel certain from the new "acclamation" of Claudius in the inscription at Delphi recently explained by Deissmann in his _St. Paul_ that the Thessalonian Epistles were written 50 to 51 A.D. We know also that he wrote I Corinthians while in Ephesus (1Corinthians:16:8|) and before pentecost, though the precise year is not given. But he spent three years at Ephesus in round numbers (Acts:19:8,10; strkjv@20:31|) and he wrote just before he left, probably spring of A.D. 54 or 55. He wrote II Corinthians from Macedonia shortly after leaving Ephesus (2Corinthians:2:12|) ] apparently the same year. Romans was written from Corinth and sent by Phoebe of Cenchreae (Romans:16:1f.|) unless strkjv@Romans:16| be considered a separate Epistle to Ephesus as some hold, a view that does not commend itself to me. Deissmann (_New Testament in the Light of Modern Research_, p. 33) accepts a modern theory that Ephesus was the place of the writing of the first prison Epistles (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) as well as I Corinthians and Galatians and dates them all between A.D. 52 and 55. But we shall find that these prison Epistles most naturally fall to Rome between A.D. 61 and 63. If the Pastoral Epistles are genuine, as I hold, they come between A.D. 65 and 68. Bartlet argues for a date before A.D. 64, accepting the view that Paul was put to death then. But it is still far more probable that Paul met his death in Rome in A.D. 68 shortly before Nero's death which was June 8, A.D. 68. It will thus be seen that the dates of several of the Epistles are fairly clear, while some remain quite uncertain. In a broad outlook they must all come between A.D. 50 and 68.

rwp@Info_Epistles-Paul @ FOUR GROUPS OF PAULINE EPISTLES I. First Thessalonians. | Second Thessalonians. | A.D. 50 to 51. Chief topic Eschatology. To correct misconceptions in Thessalonica. II. First Corinthians. | Second Corinthians | Galatians | A.D. 54 to 57. Romans. | Chief topic Justification by Faith. Defence against the Judaizers. III. Philippians. | Philemon. | Colossians. | A.D. 61 to 63. Ephesians (Laodiceans). Chief topic Christology. Defence against the Gnostic perversions of the Person of Christ. IV. First Timothy. | Titus. | A.D. 65 to 68. Second Timothy. | Ecclesiastical Problems to the fore. DEVELOPMENT IN PAUL'S THEOLOGY

rwp@Info_Philipians @ EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS FROM ROME ABOUT A.D. 61 BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION There is something to be said for the idea that Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians while a prisoner in Ephesus if he ever was a prisoner there. All that can be said for that view has been presented by Professor George S. Duncan in _St. Paul's Ephesian Ministry_ (1930). But, when all is considered carefully in the light of the facts in the Acts and the Epistles, the best that one can say is that a possible case is made out with many difficulties remaining unexplained. The argument is more ingenious than convincing. It is not possible here to review the arguments _pro_ and _con_ that convince me that Paul was in Rome when he wrote this letter to Philippi. It is not clear whether it was written before the three that went together (Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) or afterwards. Probably there was no great difference in time, but there was time for Epaphroditus to come to Rome, to fall sick, for the news to reach Philippi and for Epaphroditus to hear of their concern about him. The church in Philippi was Paul's joy and pride and they had helped him before as they did this time.

rwp@Info_Philipians @ The Epistle is a beautiful expression of gratitude for the love and gifts of the Philippian saints. He is a prisoner of hope in Rome with possible death before him, but with the note of joy running through all that Paul says. He hopes to be set free and to see them again.

rwp@Info_Philipians @ Meanwhile he tells the Philippians about the difficulties and triumphs in Rome. The Judaizers have followed Paul here and there is an echo in chapters strkjv@Phillipians:1; 3| of their opposition. But Paul rises to full stature in the great Christological passages in chapters strkjv@Phillipians:2; 3| which prepare the way for the controversy with the Gnostics over the Person of Christ in Colossians and Ephesians.

rwp@Info_Philipians @ Some special books on Philippians are those by Beet (1891), Burns (1917), Dibelius (1911), Ellicott (new ed. 1890), Wohlenberg in Zahn Komm. (3rd ed. 1917), Haupt in Meyer Komm. (8 ed. 1902), Jones in Westm. Comm. (1920), Johnstone (1904), Jowett (1909), Kennedy in Exp. Gk. Test. (1903), Klopper (1893), Knabenbauer (1913), Lightfoot (9 ed. 1891), Lipsius (1893), Lohmeyer in Meyer Komm. (8 ed. 1930), Lueken (1906), Martin (New Cent. Bible), Michael (1928), Moule (Phil. Studies), Plummer (1919), Rainy (Exp. Bible 1893), Robertson (1917), Vincent (Int. Crit., 2 ed. 1910).

rwp@Philippians:1:1 @{Paul} (\Paulos\). He does not mention his apostleship as he usually does. Omitted also in I and II Thess. and Philemon. {Timothy} (\Timotheos\). In no sense the author, but associated with Paul because with him here in Rome as in Corinth when I and II Thessalonians written and in Ephesus when I Corinthians sent and in Macedonia when II Corinthians written. Timothy was with Paul when the Philippian church was founded (Acts:16:1,13; strkjv@17:14|). He had been there twice since (Acts:19:22; strkjv@20:3f.|). {To all the saints} (\pƒsi tois hagiois\). The word saint (\hagios\) here is used for the professing Christians as in strkjv@1Corinthians:1:2| which see as well as strkjv@Romans:1:7| for the origin of the word. The word "all" (\pƒsi\) means that all individual believers are included. Paul employs this word frequently in Philippians. {In Christ Jesus} (\en Christ“i Iˆsou\). The centre for all Christian relations and activities for Paul and for us. {In Philippi} (\en Philippois\). See on ¯Acts:16:12| for discussion of this name. {With the bishops} (\sun episkopois\). "Together with bishops," thus singled out from "all the saints." See strkjv@Acts:20:17,28| for the use of this most interesting word as equivalent to \presbuteros\ (elder). It is an old word from \episkeptomai\, to look upon or after, to inspect, so the overseer or superintendent. In the second century \episcopos\ (Ignatius) came to mean one superior to elders, but not so in the N.T. The two New Testament church officers are here mentioned (bishops or elders and deacons). The plural is here employed because there was usually one church in a city with several pastors (bishops, elders). {And deacons} (\kai diakonois\). Technical sense here of the other church officers as in strkjv@1Timothy:3:8-13|, not the general use as in strkjv@Matthew:22:13|. The origin of the office is probably seen in strkjv@Acts:6:1-6|. The term is often applied to preachers (1Corinthians:3:5; strkjv@2Corinthians:3:6|). The etymology (\dia, konis\) suggests raising a dust by hastening.

rwp@Philippians:1:3 @{Upon} (\epi\). Basis of the thanksgiving. {All} (\pƒsˆi\). Note frequent use of "all" here (\pƒsˆi, pantote\, always, \pƒsˆi\, again, \pant“n hum“n\, you all). The use of "you all" recurs several times (4,7| _bis_, 8|).

rwp@Philippians:1:4 @{With joy} (\meta charas\). Keynote of the Epistle. Paul is a happy prisoner as in Philippi when he and Silas sang praises at midnight though in prison (Acts:16:25|).

rwp@Philippians:1:5 @{For your fellowship} (\epi tˆi koin“niƒi hum“n\). "On the basis of your contribution" as in strkjv@2Corinthians:8:4; strkjv@9:13; strkjv@Acts:2:42|. The particular kind of "partnership" or "fellowship" involved is the contribution made by the Philippians for the spread of the gospel (1:7| \sugkoin“nous\ and strkjv@4:14| where \sugkoin“nˆsantes\ occurs). {In furtherance of the gospel} (\eis to euaggelion\). "For the gospel." {From the first day until now} (\apo tˆs pr“tˆs hˆmeras achri tou nun\). As when in Thessalonica (Phillipians:4:15f.|), in Corinth (Acts:18:5; strkjv@2Corinthians:11:7-10|), and now in Rome.

rwp@Philippians:1:6 @{Being confident} (\pepoith“s\). Second perfect active of \peith“\, to persuade. {This very thing} (\auto touto\). Accusative of the inner object with \pepoith“s\, "this thing itself." {Will perfect it} (\epitelesei\). Future active indicative of \epitele“\, will fully (\epi-\) finish. God began and God will consummate it (see strkjv@2Corinthians:8:6; strkjv@Galatians:3:3| where both words occur together as here), but not without their cooperation and partnership. {Until the day of Jesus Christ} (\achri hˆmeras Christou Iˆsou\). The second coming as in verse 10|. See strkjv@1Thessalonians:5:2,4; strkjv@2Thessalonians:1:10; strkjv@2:2; strkjv@1Corinthians:1:18; strkjv@3:13; strkjv@2Corinthians:1:14; strkjv@Romans:13:12|. Paul never sets the time for the Lord's return, but he is cheered by that blessed hope.

rwp@Philippians:1:7 @{Because I have you in my heart} (\dia to echein me en tˆi kardiƒi humas\). Or "because you hold me in your heart." Literally, "because of the holding me (or you) in the heart as to you (or me)." One accusative is the object of the infinitive \echein\, the other is the accusative of general reference. There is no way to decide which is the idea meant except to say that love begets love. The pastor who, like Paul, holds his people in his heart will find them holding him in their hearts. {In the defence} (\en tˆi apologiƒi\). Old word (our word apology, but not our idea of apologizing), in the original sense in strkjv@Acts:22:1; strkjv@25:16|. Songs:also in verse 16| below. {Confirmation} (\bebai“sei\). Old word from \bebaio“\ (\bebaios, bain“\), to make stable. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Hebrews:6:16| about oath. {Partakers with me of grace} (\sugkoin“nous mou tˆs charitos\). Literally, "my co-sharers in grace" (objective genitive). "Grace prompted them to alleviate his imprisonment, to cooperate with him in defending and propagating the gospel, and to suffer for its sake" (Vincent, _Int. Crit. Comm_.).

rwp@Philippians:1:8 @{My witness} (\martus mou\). Same solemn oath in strkjv@Romans:1:9|. {I long after} (\epipoth“\). Longing (\pothos\) directed toward (\epi\) the Philippians. Old word, chiefly in Paul in N.T. {In the tender mercies} (\en splagchnois\). Literally "in the bowels" as the seat of the affections.

rwp@Philippians:1:9 @{May abound} (\perisseuˆi\). Present active subjunctive of \perisseu“\, may keep on overflowing, a perpetual flood of love, "yet more and more" (\eti mallon kai mallon\), but with necessary limitations (river banks), "in knowledge" (\en epign“sei\, in full knowledge) "and all discernment" (\pƒsˆi aisthˆsei\). The delicate spiritual perception (\aisthˆsis\, old word from \aisthanomai\, only here in N.T. as the verb only in strkjv@Luke:9:45| in N.T.) can be cultivated as in \aisthˆtˆrion\ (Hebrews:5:14|)

rwp@Philippians:1:10 @{Songs:that ye may} (\eis to humas\). Either purpose or result (\eis to\ plus infinitive as in strkjv@Romans:1:11,20; strkjv@3:26|, etc.). {Approve the things that are excellent} (\dokimazein ta diapheronta\). Originally, "test the things that differ." Cf. same idiom in strkjv@Romans:2:28|. The verb was used for assaying metals. Either sense suits this context, but the first step is to distinguish between good and evil and that is not always easy in our complex civilization. {Sincere} (\eilikrineis\). Old word of uncertain origin from \krin“\, to judge, by \heilˆ\ (sunlight) or to sift by rapid rolling (\eilos\). At any rate it means pure, unsullied. {Void of offence} (\aproskopoi\). Alpha privative \pros\ and \kopt“\, to cut, "not stumbled against" (not causing others to stumble) or if active "not stumbling against." Passive sense probably, not active as in strkjv@1Corinthians:10:32|. Common in the papyri, though not in ancient Greek writers.

rwp@Philippians:1:11 @{Fruits of righteousness} (\karpon dikaiosunˆs\). Singular, collective idea, fruit of righteousness. Accusative case retained with perfect passive participle.

rwp@Philippians:1:12 @{The things which happened unto me} (\ta kat' eme\). "The things concerning me" = "my affairs" as common in Josephus. {Have fallen out rather} (\mallon elˆluthen\). "Have come rather." Second perfect active indicative of \erchomai\. {Unto the progress} (\eis prokopˆn\). Late word from \prokopt“\, common verb, to cut or strike forward, but this late substantive does not occur in classical Greek. It is a technical term in Stoic philosophy for "progress toward wisdom" and it appears also in the papyri and the LXX. In N.T. only here, verse 25; strkjv@1Timothy:4:15|.

rwp@Philippians:1:13 @{Throughout the whole praetorian guard} (\en hol“i t“i prait“ri“i\). There were originally ten thousand of these picked soldiers, concentrated in Rome by Tiberius. They had double pay and special privileges and became so powerful that emperors had to court their favour. Paul had contact with one after another of these soldiers. It is a Latin word, but the meaning is not certain, for in the other New Testament examples (Matthew:27:27; strkjv@Mark:15:16; strkjv@John:18:28,33; strkjv@19:9; strkjv@Acts:23:35|) it means the palace of the provincial governor either in Jerusalem or Caesarea. In Rome "palace" would have to be the emperor's palace, a possible meaning for Paul a provincial writing to provincials (Kennedy). Some take it to mean the camp or barracks of the praetorian guard. The Greek, "in the whole praetorium," allows this meaning, though there is no clear example of it. Mommsen and Ramsay argue for the judicial authorities (_praefecti praetorio_) with the assessors of the imperial court. At any rate Paul, chained to a soldier, had access to the soldiers and the officials.

rwp@Philippians:1:14 @{The most of the brethren} (\tous pleionas t“n adelph“n\). "The more part of the brethren." The comparative with the article with the sense of the superlative as often in the _Koin‚_. {In the Lord} (\en Kuri“i\). It is not clear whether this phrase is to be connected with "brethren" or with "being confident" (\pepoithotas\), probably with \pepoithotas\. If so, then "through my bonds" (\tois desmois mou\) would be the instrumental case and mean that by means of Paul's bonds the brethren "are more abundantly bold" (\perissoter“s tolmƒin\).

rwp@Philippians:1:15 @{Even of envy and strife} (\kai dia phthonon kai erin\). "Even because of" (accusative after \dia\). Surely the lowest of motives for preaching Christ. Envy is an old word and an old sin and strife (\eris\) is more rivalry than schism. It is petty and personal jealousy of Paul's power and prowess by the Judaizers in Rome whom Paul has routed in the east, but who now exult at the opportunity of annoying their great antagonist by their interpretation of Christ. Jealousy is always against those of one's own class or profession as preachers with preachers, doctors with doctors. {Of goodwill} (\di' eudokian\). Because of goodwill toward Paul.

rwp@Philippians:1:16 @{Of love} (\ex agapˆs\). Out of love to Paul as well as to Christ. Put strkjv@1Corinthians:13| here as a flash-light.

rwp@Philippians:1:17 @{Of faction} (\ex eritheias\). Out of partisanship. From \eritheu“\, to spin wool, and that from \erithos\, a hireling. The papyri examples suit the idea of selfish ambition (Moulton and Milligan's _Vocabulary_). See strkjv@2Corinthians:12:20; strkjv@Galatians:5:20|. {Not sincerely} (\ouch hagn“s\). "Not purely," that is with mixed and impure motives. {To raise up affliction for my bonds} (\thlipsin egeirein tois desmois mou\). Now that Paul is down they jump on him in mean and nagging ways. Dative case in \desmois\. "To make my chains gall me" (Lightfoot).

rwp@Philippians:1:18 @{What then?} (\ti gar?\). Sharp problem put up to Paul by the conduct of the Judaizers. {Only that} (\plˆn hoti\). Same idiom in strkjv@Acts:20:23|. \Plˆn\ is adverb \pleon\ (more besides). As a preposition \plˆn\ means "except." This essential thing Paul sees in spite of all their envy and selfishness that Christ is preached. {Whether in pretence} (\eite prophasei\). Either from \prophain“\, to shew forth, or \prophˆmi\, to speak forth, the ostensible presentation often untrue. See strkjv@Acts:27:30|. Paul sees clearly through the pious pretence of these Judaizers and rejoices that people get some knowledge of Christ. Some Christ is better than no Christ. {Yea, and will rejoice} (\alla kai charˆsomai\). Note affirmative, not adversative, use of \alla\. Volitive use of the future (second future passive) indicative (\charˆsomai\) of \chair“\. Paul is determined to rejoice in spite of the efforts of the Judaizers to prod him to anger.

rwp@Philippians:1:19 @{Will turn} (\apobˆsetai\). Future middle indicative of \apobain“\, old verb, to come from, to come back, to turn out. {To my salvation} (\eis s“tˆrian\). For his release from prison as he strongly hopes to see them again (1:26|). Lightfoot takes the word to be Paul's eternal salvation and it must be confessed that verse 20| (the close of this sentence) does suit that idea best. Can it be that Paul carried both conceptions in the word here? {Supply} (\epichorˆgias\). Late and rare word (one example in inscription of first century A.D.). In N.T. only here and strkjv@Ephesians:4:16|. From the late verb \epichorˆge“\ (double compound, \epi, choros, hˆgeomai\, to furnish supply for the chorus) which see in strkjv@2Corinthians:9:10; strkjv@Galatians:3:5|.

rwp@Philippians:1:20 @{Earnest expectation} (\apokaradokian\). In Paul alone from \apokaradoke“\ (in papyri). See on ¯Romans:8:19| for only other example. {Shall be magnified} (\megalunthˆsetai\). Future passive indicative of \megalun“\, old verb, to make great, from \megas\ (great). See strkjv@Acts:19:17|. {In my body} (\en t“i s“mati mou\). See strkjv@Romans:12:1f|. It is harder often to make Christ great in the body than in the spirit.

rwp@Philippians:1:21 @{For to me} (\emoi gar\). Fine example of the ethical dative. Paul gives his own view of living. {To live is Christ} (\to zˆin Christos\). No copula (\estin\), but \to zˆin\ (the act of living present active infinitive) is the subject as is shown by the article \to\. Living is coextensive with Christ. {Gain} (\kerdos\). Old word for any gain or profit, interest on money (so in papyri). In N.T. only here, strkjv@Phillipians:3:7; strkjv@Titus:1:11|. {To die} (\to apothanein\, second aorist active infinitive, single act) is to cash in both principal and interest and so to have more of Christ than when living. Songs:Paul faces death with independence and calm courage.

rwp@Philippians:1:22 @{If this is the fruit of my work} (\touto moi karpos ergou\). There is no \ei\ (if) here in the Greek, but \touto\ (this) seems to be resumptive and to repeat the conditional clause just before. If so, \kai\ just after means {then} and introduces the conclusion of the condition. Otherwise \touto\ introduces the conclusion and \kai\ means {and}. {I wot not} (\ou gn“riz“\). "I know not." It seems odd to preserve the old English word "wot" here. But it is not clear that \gn“riz“\ (old causative verb from \gin“sk“\) means just to know. Elsewhere in the N.T., as in strkjv@Luke:2:15; strkjv@Romans:9:22|, it means to make known, to declare. The papyri examples mean to make known. It makes perfectly good sense to take its usual meaning here, "I do not declare what I shall choose."

rwp@Philippians:1:23 @{I am in a strait} (\sunechomai\). "I am held together." Present passive indicative of the common compound verb \sunech“\, to hold together, to hem together as in strkjv@Luke:8:45|. "I am hemmed in on both sides" (Lightfoot). {Betwixt the two} (\ek t“n duo\). "From the two (sides)." Pressure to live on, pressure to die and be with Christ. {To depart} (\eis to analusai\). Purpose clause, \eis to\ and the aorist active infinitive \analusai\, old compound verb, to unloose (as threads), to break up, to return (Luke:12:36|, only other N.T. example), to break up camp (Polybius), to weigh anchor and put out to sea, to depart (often in old Greek and papyri). Cf. \katalu“\ in strkjv@2Corinthians:5:1| for tearing down the tent. {Very far better} (\poll“i mallon kreisson\). Double comparative (triple Lightfoot calls it because of \poll“i\) like Isocrates and the _Koin‚_ often. See strkjv@2Corinthians:7:13| for \perissoter“s mallon\. \Poll“i\ is the instrumental case of measure (by much).

rwp@Philippians:1:24 @{In the flesh} (\en tˆi sarki\). Songs:B D G, but Aleph A C do not have \en\. Unnecessary with \epimen“\, to abide by (common verb).

rwp@Philippians:1:25 @{And abide with you all} (\kai paramen“ pƒsin humin\). Common Pauline idiom to repeat the simple verb (\men“\) as a compound (\paramen“\, future active indicative), old verb, to remain beside followed by locative case. See same idiom in \chair“, sunchair“\ (Phillipians:2:17|).

rwp@Philippians:1:26 @{In Christ Jesus in me} (\en Christ“i Iˆsou en emoi\). "In Christ Jesus" as the basis for the glorying (\kauchˆma\), "in me" as the instance in point. {Through my presence} (\dia tˆs emˆs parousias\). The word so often used of the second coming of Christ, but here in its ordinary sense as in strkjv@2:12; strkjv@1Corinthians:16:17|.

rwp@Philippians:1:27 @{Let your manner of life} (\politeuesthe\). Old verb from \politˆs\, citizen, and that from \polis\, city, to be a citizen, to manage a state's affairs, to live as a citizen. Only twice in N.T., here and strkjv@Acts:23:1|. Philippi as a colony possessed Roman citizenship and Paul was proud of his own possession of this right. The Authorized Version missed the figure completely by the word "conversation" which did refer to conduct and not mere talk as now, but did not preserve the figure of citizenship. Better render, "Only do ye live as citizens." {Striving} (\sunathlountes\). Rather, "striving together" as in an athletic contest. Late and rare word (Diodorus). "The very energy of the Christian faith to produce energetic individualities" (Rainy). "Striving in concert" (Lightfoot). {For the faith} (\tˆi pistei\). For the teaching of the gospel, objective sense of \pistis\ (faith).

rwp@Philippians:1:28 @{Affrighted} (\pturomenoi\). Present passive participle of \ptur“\, old verb, to frighten. The metaphor is of a timid or scared horse and from \ptoe“\ (\ptoa\, terror). "Not startled in anything." {By the adversaries} (\hupo t“n antikeimen“n\). These men who were lined up against (present middle participle of \antikeimai\) may have been Jews or Gentiles or both. See strkjv@2Thessalonians:2:4| for this late verb. Any preacher who attacks evil will have opposition. {Evident token} (\endeixis\). Old word for proof. See strkjv@2Corinthians:8:24; strkjv@Romans:3:25f|. "An Attic law term" (Kennedy) and only in Paul in N.T. {Perdition} (\ap“leias\). "Loss" in contrast with "salvation" (\s“tˆrias\). {And that} (\kai touto\). Idiomatic adverbial accusative. "It is a direct indication from God. The Christian gladiator does not anxiously await the signal of life or death from the fickle crowd" (Lightfoot).

rwp@Philippians:1:29 @{In the behalf of Christ} (\to huper Christou\). Literally, "the in behalf of Christ." But Paul divides the idea and uses the article to again both with \pisteuein\ and with \paschein\. Suffering in behalf of Christ is one of God's gifts to us.

rwp@Philippians:1:30 @{Conflict} (\ag“na\). Athletic or gladiatorial contest as in strkjv@1Timothy:6:12; strkjv@2Timothy:4:7|. The Philippians saw Paul suffer (Acts:16:19-40; strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:2|) as now they have heard about it in Rome.

rwp@Philippians:2:1 @{If} (\ei\). Paul uses four conditions in this verse, all of the first class, assuming the condition to be true. {Comfort} (\paraklˆsis\). Rather, "ground of appeal to you in Christ." See strkjv@1Corinthians:1:10; strkjv@Ephesians:4:1|. {Consolation} (\paramuthion\). Old word from \paramutheomai\, persuasive address, incentive. {Of love} (\agapˆs\). Objective genitive, "in love" (undefined as in strkjv@1Corinthians:13|). {Fellowship} (\koin“nia\). Partnership in the Holy Spirit "whose first fruit is love" (Galatians:5:22|). {Any tender mercies} (\tis splagchna\). Common use of this word for the nobler \viscera\ and so for the higher emotions. But \tis\ is masculine singular and \splagchna\ is neuter plural. Lightfoot suggests an error of an early transcriber or even of the amanuensis in writing \ei tis\ instead of \ei tina\.

rwp@Philippians:2:2 @{Fulfil} (\plˆr“sate\). Better here, "fill full." Paul's cup of joy will be full if the Philippians will only keep on having unity of thought and feeling (\to auto phronˆte\, present active subjunctive, keep on thinking the same thing). {Being of one accord} (\sunpsuchoi\). Late word here for the first time, from \sun\ and \psuchˆ\, harmonious in soul, souls that beat together, in tune with Christ and with each other. {Of one mind} (\to hen phronountes\). "Thinking the one thing." Like clocks that strike at the same moment. Perfect intellectual telepathy. Identity of ideas and harmony of feelings.

rwp@Philippians:2:3 @{Through vainglory} (\kata kenodoxian\). Late word, only here in N.T., from \kenodoxos\ (\kenos, doxa\, strkjv@Galatians:5:26|, only here in N.T.), empty pride. {In lowliness of mind} (\tˆi tapeinophrosunˆi\). Late and rare word. Not in O.T. or early Greek writers. In Josephus and Epictetus in bad sense (pusillanimity). For ostentatious humility in Co strkjv@2:18,23|. One of the words, like \tapeinos\ (Matthew:11:29|) and \tapeinophr“n\ (1Peter:3:8|, here alone in N.T.) that Christianity has ennobled and dignified (Acts:20:19|). {Better than himself} (\huperechontas heaut“n\). Present active participle of \huperech“\ in intransitive sense to excel or surpass with the ablative, "excelling themselves." See strkjv@Romans:12:10|.

rwp@Philippians:2:4 @{Looking} (\skopountes\). Present active participle of \skope“\ from \skopos\ (aim, goal). Not keeping an eye on the main chance for number one, but for the good of others.

rwp@Philippians:2:5 @{Have this mind in you} (\touto phroneite en humin\). "Keep on thinking this in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (\ho kai en Christ“i Iˆsou\). What is that? Humility. Paul presents Jesus as the supreme example of humility. He urges humility on the Philippians as the only way to secure unity.

rwp@Philippians:2:6 @{Being} (\huparch“n\). Rather, "existing," present active participle of \huparch“\. In the form of God (\en morphˆi theou\). \Morphˆ\ means the essential attributes as shown in the form. In his preincarnate state Christ possessed the attributes of God and so appeared to those in heaven who saw him. Here is a clear statement by Paul of the deity of Christ. {A prize} (\harpagmon\). Predicate accusative with \hˆgˆsato\. Originally words in \-mos\ signified the act, not the result (\-ma\). The few examples of \harpagmos\ (Plutarch, etc.) allow it to be understood as equivalent to \harpagma\, like \baptismos\ and \baptisma\. That is to say Paul means a prize to be held on to rather than something to be won ("robbery"). {To be on an equality with God} (\to einai isa theoi\). Accusative articular infinitive object of \hˆgˆsato\, "the being equal with God" (associative instrumental case \the“i\ after \isa\). \Isa\ is adverbial use of neuter plural with \einai\ as in strkjv@Revelation:21:16|. {Emptied himself} (\heauton eken“se\). First aorist active indicative of \keno“\, old verb from \kenos\, empty. Of what did Christ empty himself? Not of his divine nature. That was impossible. He continued to be the Son of God. There has arisen a great controversy on this word, a \Kenosis\ doctrine. Undoubtedly Christ gave up his environment of glory. He took upon himself limitations of place (space) and of knowledge and of power, though still on earth retaining more of these than any mere man. It is here that men should show restraint and modesty, though it is hard to believe that Jesus limited himself by error of knowledge and certainly not by error of conduct. He was without sin, though tempted as we are. "He stripped himself of the insignia of majesty" (Lightfoot).

rwp@Philippians:2:7 @{The form of a servant} (\morphˆn doulou\). He took the characteristic attributes (\morphˆn\ as in verse 6|) of a slave. His humanity was as real as his deity. {In the likeness of men} (\en homoi“mati anthr“p“n\). It was a likeness, but a real likeness (Kennedy), no mere phantom humanity as the Docetic Gnostics held. Note the difference in tense between \huparch“n\ (eternal existence in the \morphˆ\ of God) and \genomenos\ (second aorist middle participle of \ginomai\, becoming, definite entrance in time upon his humanity).

rwp@Philippians:2:8 @{In fashion} (\schˆmati\). Locative case of \schˆma\, from \ech“\, to have, to hold. Bengel explains \morphˆ\ by _forma_, \homoi“ma\ by _similitudo_, \schˆma\ by _habitus_. Here with \schˆma\ the contrast "is between what He is in Himself, and what He _appeared_ in the eyes of men" (Lightfoot). {He humbled himself} (\etapein“sen heauton\). First aorist active of \tapeino“\, old verb from \tapeinos\. It is a voluntary humiliation on the part of Christ and for this reason Paul is pressing the example of Christ upon the Philippians, this supreme example of renunciation. See Bruce's masterpiece, _The Humiliation of Christ_. {Obedient} (\hupˆkoos\). Old adjective, giving ear to. See strkjv@Acts:7:39; strkjv@2Corinthians:2:9|. {Unto death} (\mechri thanatou\). "Until death." See "until blood" (\mechris haimatos\, strkjv@Hebrews:12:4|). {Yea, the death of the cross} (\thanatou de staurou\). The bottom rung in the ladder from the Throne of God. Jesus came all the way down to the most despised death of all, a condemned criminal on the accursed cross.

rwp@Philippians:2:9 @{Wherefore} (\dio\). Because of which act of voluntary and supreme humility. {Highly exalted} (\huperups“se\). First aorist indicative of \huperupso“\ (\huper\ and \hupsos\) late and rare word (LXX and Byzantine). Here only in N.T. Because of Christ's voluntary humiliation God lifted him above or beyond (\huper\) the state of glory which he enjoyed before the Incarnation. What glory did Christ have after the Ascension that he did not have before in heaven? What did he take back to heaven that he did not bring? Clearly his humanity. He returned to heaven the Son of Man as well as the Son of God. {The name which is above every name} (\to onoma to huper pan onoma\). What name is that? Apparently and naturally the name {Jesus}, which is given in verse 10|. Some think it is "Jesus Christ," some "Lord," some the ineffable name Jehovah, some merely dignity and honour.

rwp@Philippians:2:10 @{That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow} (\hina en t“i onomati Iˆsou pan gonu kampsˆi\). First aorist active subjunctive of \kampt“\, old verb, to bend, to bow, in purpose clause with \hina\. Not perfunctory genuflections whenever the name of Jesus is mentioned, but universal acknowledgment of the majesty and power of Jesus who carries his human name and nature to heaven. This universal homage to Jesus is seen in strkjv@Romans:8:22; strkjv@Ephesians:1:20-22| and in particular strkjv@Revelation:5:13|. {Under the earth} (\katachthoni“n\). Homeric adjective for departed souls, subterranean, simply the dead. Here only in the N.T.

rwp@Philippians:2:11 @{Should confess} (\exomologˆsˆtai\). First aorist middle subjunctive of \exomologeomai\ with \hina\ for purpose. {Lord} (\Kurios\). Peter (Acts:2:36|) claimed that God made Christ "Lord." See also strkjv@1Corinthians:8:6; strkjv@12:3; strkjv@Romans:10:9|. Kennedy laments that the term Lord has become one of the most lifeless in the Christian vocabulary, whereas it really declares the true character and dignity of Jesus Christ and "is the basis and the object of worship."

rwp@Philippians:2:12 @{Not as in my presence only} (\mˆ h“s en tˆi parousiƒi monon\). B and a few other MSS. omit \h“s\. The negative \mˆ\ goes with the imperative \katergazesthe\ (work out), not with \hupˆkousate\ (obeyed) which would call for \ouch\. {Much more} (\poll“i mallon\). They are not to render eye-service only when Paul is there, but much more when he is away. {Work out} (\katergazesthe\). Perfective use of \kata\ (down) in composition, work on to the finish. This exhortation assumes human free agency in the carrying on the work of one's salvation. {With fear and trembling} (\meta phobou kai tromou\). "Not slavish terror, but wholesome, serious caution" (Vincent). "A nervous and trembling anxiety to do right" (Lightfoot). Paul has no sympathy with a cold and dead orthodoxy or formalism that knows nothing of struggle and growth. He exhorts as if he were an Arminian in addressing men. He prays as if he were a Calvinist in addressing God and feels no inconsistency in the two attitudes. Paul makes no attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free agency, but boldly proclaims both.

rwp@Philippians:2:13 @{Which worketh in you} (\ho energ“n en humin\). Articular present active participle of \energe“\ from \energos\ (\en, ergon\) one at work, common verb from Aristotle on, to be at work, to energize. God is the Energy and the Energizer of the universe. Modern scientists, like Eddington, Jeans, and Whitney, are not afraid to agree with Paul and to put God back of all activity in nature. {Both to will and to work} (\kai to thelein kai to energein\). "Both the willing and the working (the energizing)." God does it all, then. Yes, but he puts us to work also and our part is essential, as he has shown in verse 12|, though secondary to that of God. {For his good-pleasure} (\huper tˆs eudokias\). Songs:Whitney puts "the will of God" behind gravitation and all the laws of nature.

rwp@Philippians:2:14 @{Without murmurings} (\ch“ris goggusm“n\). See on strkjv@Acts:6:1| for this late onomatopoetic word from \gogguz“\, to mutter, to grumble. {Disputings} (\dialogism“n\). Or questionings as in strkjv@Luke:24:38|. The grumblings led to disputes.

rwp@Philippians:2:15 @{That ye may be} (\hina genˆsthe\). Rather, "that ye may become" (second aorist middle subjunctive of \ginomai\, to become). {Blameless} (\amemptoi\). Free from censure (\memphomai\, to blame). {Harmless} (\akeraioi\). Unmixed, unadulterated as in strkjv@Romans:16:19|. {Without blemish} (\am“ma\). Without spot, "unblemished in reputation and in reality" (Vincent). {In the midst of} (\meson\). Preposition with genitive. {Crooked} (\skolias\). Old word, curved as opposed to \orthos\, straight. See on ¯Acts:2:40|. {Perverse} (\diestrammenˆs\). Perfect passive participle of \diastreph“\, to distort, to twist, to turn to one side (\dia\, in two). Old word. See strkjv@Matthew:17:17; strkjv@Acts:13:10|.

rwp@Philippians:2:16 @{As lights in the world} (\h“s ph“stˆres en kosm“i\). As luminaries like the heavenly bodies. Christians are the light of the world (Matthew:5:14|) as they reflect the light from Christ (John:1:4; strkjv@8:12|), but here the word is not \ph“s\ (light), but \ph“stˆres\ (luminaries, stars). The place for light is the darkness where it is needed. {Holding forth} (\epechontes\). Present active participle of \epech“\. Probably not connected with the preceding metaphor in \ph“stˆres\. The old meaning of the verb \epech“\ is to hold forth or to hold out (the word of life as here). The context seems to call for "holding fast." It occurs also with the sense of attending to (Acts:3:5|). {That I may have} (\emoi\). Ethical dative, "to me as a ground of boasting."

rwp@Philippians:2:17 @{And if I am offered} (\ei kai spendomai\). Though I am poured out as a libation. Old word. In N.T. only here and strkjv@2Timothy:4:6|. Paul pictures his life-blood as being poured upon (uncertain whether heathen or Jewish offerings meant and not important) the sacrifice and service of the faith of the Philippians in mutual service and joy (both \chair“\ and \sunchair“\ twice in the sentence). Joy is mutual when the service is mutual. Young missionaries offer their lives as a challenge to other Christians to match their money with their blood.

rwp@Philippians:2:19 @{That I also may be of good comfort} (\hina kag“ eupsuch“\). Present subjunctive with \hina\ in purpose clause of the late and rare verb \eupsuche“\, from \eupsuchos\ (cheerful, of good spirit). In papyri and \eupsuchei\ (be of good cheer) common in sepulchral inscriptions. {When I know} (\gnous\). Second aorist active participle of \gin“sk“\.

rwp@Philippians:2:20 @{Likeminded} (\isopsuchon\). Old, but very rare adjective (\isos, psuchˆ\), like \isotimos\ in strkjv@2Peter:1:1|. Only here in N.T. Likeminded with Timothy, not with Paul. {Truly} (\gnˆsi“s\). "Genuinely." Old adverb, only here in N.T., from \gnˆsios\ (Phillipians:4:3|), legitimate birth, not spurious.

rwp@Philippians:2:21 @{They all} (\hoi pantes\). "The whole of them." Surely Luke was away from Rome at this juncture.

rwp@Philippians:2:22 @{The proof} (\tˆn dokimˆn\). "The test" as of metals (2Corinthians:2:9; strkjv@9:13|). Three times they had seen Timothy (Acts:16:13; strkjv@19:22; strkjv@20:3f.|). {With me} (\sun emoi\). Paul's delicacy of feeling made him use \sun\ rather than \emoi\ alone. Timothy did not serve Paul. {In furtherance of} (\eis\). See strkjv@Phillipians:1:5| for this use of \eis\.

rwp@Philippians:2:23 @{Songs:soon as I shall see} (\h“s an aphid“\). Indefinite temporal clause with \h“s an\ and the second aorist active subjunctive of \aphora“\. The oldest MSS. (Aleph A B D) have \aphid“\ (old aspirated form) rather than \apid“\. {How it will go with me} (\ta peri eme\). On the force of \apo\ with \hora“\ (look away) see strkjv@Hebrews:12:2|. "The things concerning me," the outcome of the trial. Cf. strkjv@1Corinthians:4:17,19|.

rwp@Philippians:2:24 @{In the Lord} (\en Kuri“i\). Not a perfunctory use of this phrase. Paul's whole life is centred in Christ (Galatians:2:20|).

rwp@Philippians:2:25 @{I counted it} (\hˆgˆsamˆn\). Epistolary aorist from the point of view of the readers. {Epaphroditus} (\Epaphroditon\). Common name, though only in Philippians in N.T., contracted into Epaphras, though not the same man as Epaphras in strkjv@Colossians:1:7|. Note one article \ton\ (the) with the three epithets given in an ascending scale (Lightfoot), brother (\adelphon\, common sympathy), fellow-worker (\sunergon\, common work), fellow-soldier (\sunstrati“tˆn\, common danger as in strkjv@Philemon:1:2|). \Mou\ (my) and \hum“n\ (your) come together in sharp contrast. {Messenger} (\apostolon\). See strkjv@2Corinthians:8:23| for this use of \apostolos\ as messenger (missionary). {Minister} (\leitourgon\). See on ¯Romans:13:6; strkjv@15:16| for this ritualistic term.

rwp@Philippians:2:26 @{He longed after} (\epipoth“n ˆn\). Periphrastic imperfect of \epipothe“\ (Phillipians:1:8|), "he was yearning after." {You all} (\pantas humas\). Songs:again (1:5,7,8|). {Was sore troubled} (\adˆmon“n\). Periphrastic imperfect again (repeat \ˆn\) of the old word \adˆmone“\ either from an unused \adˆm“n\ (\a\ privative and \dˆmos\, away from home, homesick) or from \adˆm“n, adˆsai\ (discontent, bewilderment). The _Vocabulary_ of Moulton and Milligan gives one papyrus example in line with the latter etymology. See already strkjv@Matthew:26:37; strkjv@Mark:14:33|. In any case the distress of Epaphroditus was greatly increased when he knew that the Philippians (the home-folks) had learned of his illness, "because ye had heard that he was sick" (\dioti ˆkousate hoti ˆsthenˆse\), "because ye heard that he fell sick" (ingressive aorist). {He was sick} (\ˆsthenˆse\). Ingressive aorist, "he did become sick." {Nigh unto death} (\paraplˆsion thanat“i\). Only example in N.T. of this compound adverbial preposition (from the adjective \paraplˆsios\) with the dative case.

rwp@Philippians:2:28 @{Ye may rejoice} (\charˆte\). Second aorist passive subjunctive with \hina\ in final clause of \chair“\, to rejoice. {That I may be the less sorrowful} (\kag“ alupoteros “\). Present subjunctive with \hina\ and comparative of old compound adjective \alupos\ (\a\ privative and \lupˆ\, more free from grief). Beautiful expression of Paul's feelings for the Philippians and for Epaphroditus.

rwp@Philippians:2:29 @{In honour} (\entimous\). Old compound adjective (\en, timˆ\), prized, precious (Luke:7:2; strkjv@14:8; strkjv@1Peter:2:4,6|). Predicate accusative. Noble plea in behalf of Christ's minister.

rwp@Philippians:2:30 @{Hazarding his life} (\paraboleusamenos tˆi psuchˆi\). First aorist middle participle of \paraboleu“\ (from the adjective \parabolos\), to place beside. The old Greek writers used \paraballomai\, to expose oneself to danger. But Deissmann (_Light from the Ancient East_, p. 88) cites an example of \paraboleusamenos\ from an inscription at Olbia or the Black Sea of the second century A.D. where it plainly means "exposing himself to danger" as here. Lightfoot renders it here "having gambled with his life." The word \parabolani\ (riskers) was applied to the Christians who risked their lives for the dying and the dead.

rwp@Philippians:3:1 @{Finally} (\to loipon\). Accusative of general reference, literally, "as for the rest." Songs:again in strkjv@4:8|. It (or just \loipon\) is a common phrase towards the close of Paul's Epistles (2Thessalonians:3:1; strkjv@2Corinthians:13:11|). In strkjv@Ephesians:6:10| we have \tou loipou\ (genitive case). But Paul uses the idiom elsewhere also as in strkjv@1Corinthians:7:29; strkjv@1Thessalonians:4:1| before the close of the letter is in sight. It is wholly needless to understand Paul as about to finish and then suddenly changing his mind like some preachers who announce the end a half dozen times. {To write the same things} (\ta auta graphein\). Present active articular infinitive, "the going on writing the same things." What things? He has just used \chairete\ (go on rejoicing) again and he will repeat it in strkjv@4:4|. But in verse 2| he uses \blepete\ three times. At any rate Paul, as a true teacher, is not afraid of repetition. {Irksome} (\oknˆron\). Old adjective from \okne“\, to delay, to hesitate. It is not tiresome to me to repeat what is "safe" (\asphales\) for you. Old adjective from \a\ privative and \sphall“\, to totter, to reel. See strkjv@Acts:21:34|.

rwp@Philippians:3:2 @{Beware} (\blepete\). Three times for urgency and with different epithet for the Judaizers each time. {The dogs} (\tous kunas\). The Jews so termed the Gentiles which Jesus uses in a playful mood (\kunariois\, little dogs) to the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew:15:26|). Paul here turns the phrase on the Judaizers themselves. {The evil workers} (\tous kakous ergatas\). He had already called the Judaizers "deceitful workers" (\ergatai dolioi\) in strkjv@2Corinthians:11:13|. {The concision} (\tˆn katatomˆn\). Late word for incision, mutilation (in contrast with \peritomˆ\, circumcision). In Symmachus and an inscription. The verb \katatemn“\ is used in the LXX only of mutilations (Leviticus:21:5; strkjv@1Kings:18:28|).

rwp@Philippians:3:3 @{For we} (\hˆmeis gar\). We believers in Christ, the children of Abraham by faith, whether Jew or Gentile, the spiritual circumcision in contrast to the merely physical (Romans:2:25-29; strkjv@Colossians:2:11; strkjv@Ephesians:2:11|). See strkjv@Galatians:5:12| for \apotemnein\ (to cut off) in sense of mutilation also. {By the Spirit of God} (\pneumati theou\). Instrumental case, though the dative case as the object of \latreu“\ makes good sense also (worshipping the Spirit of God) or even the locative (worshipping in the Spirit of God). {No} (\ouk\). Actual condition rather than \mˆ\ with the participle. {In the flesh} (\en sarki\). Technical term in Paul's controversy with the Judaizers (2Corinthians:11:18; Gal strkjv@6:13f.|). External privileges beyond mere flesh.

rwp@Philippians:3:4 @{Might have} (\ech“n\). Rather, "even though myself having." {Confidence} (\pepoithˆsin\). Late word, condemned by the Atticists, from \pepoitha\ (just used). See strkjv@2Corinthians:1:15; strkjv@3:4|.

rwp@Philippians:3:5 @{Thinketh to have confidence} (\dokei pepoithenai\). Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, "seems to himself to have confidence." Later idiom like strkjv@Matthew:3:9| "think not to say" and strkjv@1Corinthians:11:16|, "thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself." {I yet more} (\eg“ mallon\). "I have more ground for boasting than he" and Paul proceeds to prove it in the rest of verses 5,6|. {Circumcised the eighth day} (\peritomˆi oktaˆmeros\). "In circumcision (locative case) an eighth day man." Use of the ordinal with persons like \tetartaios\ (John:11:39|). Ishmaelites were circumcised in the thirteenth year, proselytes from Gentiles in mature age, Jews on the eighth day (Luke:2:21|). {Of the stock of Israel} (\ek genous Israˆl\). Of the original stock, not a proselyte. {Benjamin} (\Beniamin\). Son of the right hand (that is, left-handed), son of Rachel. The first King, Saul (Paul's own Hebrew name) was from this little tribe. The battle cry of Israel was "After thee, O Benjamin" (Judges:5:14|). {A Hebrew of the Hebrews} (\Ebraios ex Ebrai“n\). Of Hebrew parents who retained the characteristic qualities in language and custom as distinct from the Hellenistic Jews (Acts:6:1|). Paul was from Tarsus and knew Greek as well as Aramaic (Acts:21:40; strkjv@22:2|) and Hebrew, but he had not become Hellenized. {A Pharisee} (\Pharisaios\). In distinction from the Sadducees (Galatians:1:14|) and he continued a Pharisee in many essential matters like the doctrine of the resurrection (Acts:23:6|). Cf. strkjv@2Corinthians:11:22|.

rwp@Philippians:3:6 @{As touching zeal} (\kata zˆlos\). Songs:the old MSS. treating \zˆlos\ as neuter, not masculine. He was a zealot against Christianity, "persecuting the church" (\di“k“n tˆn ekklˆsian\). He was the ringleader in the persecution from the death of Stephen till his own conversion (Acts:8:1-9:9|). {Found blameless} (\genomenos amemptos\). "Having become blameless" (Galatians:1:14|). He knew and practised all the rules of the rabbis. A marvellous record, scoring a hundred in Judaism.

rwp@Philippians:3:7 @{Were gain to me} (\en moi kerdˆ\). "Were gains (plural, see on ¯1:21|) to me (ethical dative)." Paul had natural pride in his Jewish attainments. He was the star of hope for Gamaliel and the Sanhedrin. {Have I counted} (\hˆgˆmai\). Perfect middle indicative, state of completion and still true. {Loss} (\zˆmian\). Old word for damage, loss. In N.T. only in Phil. and strkjv@Acts:27:10,21|. Debit side of the ledger, not credit.

rwp@Philippians:3:8 @{Yea, verily, and} (\alla men oun ge kai\). Five particles before Paul proceeds (yea, indeed, therefore, at least, even), showing the force and passion of his conviction. He repeats his affirmation with the present middle indicative (\hˆgoumai\), "I still count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge (\to huperechon\, the surpassingness, neuter articular participle of \huperech“\, strkjv@Phillipians:2:3|) of Christ Jesus my Lord." {Dung} (\skubala\). Late word of uncertain etymology, either connected with \sk“r\ (dung) or from \es kunas ball“\, to fling to the dogs and so refuse of any kind. It occurs in the papyri. Here only in the N.T. {That I may gain Christ} (\hina Christon kerdˆs“\). First aorist active subjunctive of \kerda“\, Ionic form for \kerdain“\ with \hina\ in purpose clause. Paul was never satisfied with his knowledge of Christ and always craved more fellowship with him.

rwp@Philippians:3:9 @{Be found in him} (\heureth“ en aut“i\). First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive with \hina\ of \heurisk“\. At death (2Corinthians:5:3|) or when Christ comes. Cf. strkjv@2:8; strkjv@Galatians:2:17|. {Through faith in Christ} (\dia piste“s Christou\). The objective genitive \Christou\, not subjective, as in strkjv@Galatians:2:16,20; strkjv@Romans:3:22|. Explained further by \epi tˆi pistei\ (on the basis of faith) as in strkjv@Acts:3:16|.

rwp@Philippians:3:10 @{That I may know him} (\tou gn“nai auton\). Genitive of the articular second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive (purpose) of \gin“sk“\, to have personal acquaintance or experience with. This is Paul's major passion, to get more knowledge of Christ by experience. {The power of his resurrection} (\tˆn dunamin tˆs anastase“s autou\). Power (Lightfoot) in the sense of assurance to believers in immortality (1Corinthians:15:14f.; strkjv@Romans:8:11|), in the triumph over sin (Romans:4:24f.|), in the dignity of the body (1Corinthians:6:13ff.; strkjv@Phillipians:3:21|), in stimulating the moral and spiritual life (Galatians:2:20; strkjv@Romans:6:4f.; strkjv@Colossians:2:12; strkjv@Ephesians:2:5|). See Westcott's _The Gospel of the Resurrection_, ii, 31. {The fellowship of his sufferings} (\tˆn koin“nian t“n pathˆmat“n autou\). Partnership in (objective genitive) his sufferings, an honour prized by Paul (Co strkjv@1:24|). {Becoming conformed to his death} (\summorphizomenos t“i thanat“i autou\). Present passive participle of \summorphiz“\, late verb from \summorphos\, found only here and ecclesiastical writers quoting it. The Latin Vulgate uses _configuro_. See strkjv@Romans:6:4| for \sumphutoi\ in like sense and strkjv@2Corinthians:4:10|. "The agony of Gethsemane, not less than the agony of Calvary, will be reproduced however faintly in the faithful servant of Christ" (Lightfoot). "In this passage we have the deepest secrets of the Apostle's Christian experience unveiled" (Kennedy).

rwp@Philippians:3:11 @{If by any means I may attain} (\ei p“s katantˆs“\). Not an expression of doubt, but of humility (Vincent), a modest hope (Lightfoot). For \ei p“s\, see strkjv@Romans:1:10; strkjv@11:14| where \parazˆl“s“\ can be either future indicative or aorist subjunctive like \katantˆs“\ here (see subjunctive \katalab“\ in verse 12|), late compound verb \katanta“\. {Resurrection} (\exanastasin\). Late word, not in LXX, but in Polybius and one papyrus example. Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double \ex\ (\ten exanastasin tˆn ek nekr“n\). Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language, but emphasizing that of believers.

rwp@Philippians:3:12 @{Not that} (\ouch hoti\). To guard against a misunderstanding as in strkjv@John:6:26; strkjv@12:6; strkjv@2Corinthians:1:24; strkjv@Phillipians:4:11,17|. {I have already obtained} (\ˆdˆ elabon\). Rather, "I did already obtain," constative second aorist active indicative of \lamban“\, summing up all his previous experiences as a single event. {Or am already made perfect} (\ˆ ˆdˆ tetelei“mai\). Perfect passive indicative (state of completion) of \teleio“\, old verb from \teleios\ and that from \telos\ (end). Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non- development. Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him. {But I press on} (\di“k“ de\). He is not discouraged, but encouraged. He keeps up the chase (real idea in \di“k“\, as in strkjv@1Corinthians:14:1; strkjv@Romans:9:30; strkjv@1Timothy:6:11|). {If so be that} (\ei kai\). "I follow after." The condition (third class, \ei--katalab“\, second aorist active subjunctive of \katalamban“\) is really a sort of purpose clause or aim. There are plenty of examples in the _Koin‚_ of the use of \ei\ and the subjunctive as here (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1017), "if I also may lay hold of that for which (\eph' h“i\, purpose expressed by \epi\) I was laid hold of (\katelˆmphthˆn\, first aorist passive of the same verb \katalamban“\) by Christ Jesus." His conversion was the beginning, not the end of the chase.

rwp@Philippians:3:13 @{Not yet} (\oup“\). But some MSS. read \ou\ (not). {To have apprehended} (\kateilˆphenai\). Perfect active infinitive of same verb \katalamban“\ (perfective use of \kata\, to grasp completely). Surely denial enough. {But one thing} (\hen de\). No verb in the Greek. We can supply \poi“\ (I do) or \di“k“\ (I keep on in the chase), but no verb is really needed. "When all is said, the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself" (Goethe), concentration. {Forgetting the things which are behind} (\ta men opis“ epilanthanomenos\). Common verb, usually with the genitive, but the accusative in the _Koin‚_ is greatly revived with verbs. Paul can mean either his old pre-Christian life, his previous progress as a Christian, or both (all of it). {Stretching forward} (\epekteinomenos\). Present direct middle participle of the old double compound \epektein“\ (stretching myself out towards). Metaphor of a runner leaning forward as he runs.

rwp@Philippians:3:14 @{Toward the goal} (\kata skopon\). "Down upon the goal," who is Jesus himself to whom we must continually look as we run (Hebrews:12:2|). The word means a watchman, then the goal or mark. Only here in N.T. {Unto the prize} (\eis to brabeion\). Late word (Menander and inscriptions) from \brabeus\ (umpire who awards the prize). In N.T. only here and strkjv@1Corinthians:9:24|. {Of the high calling} (\tˆs an“ klˆse“s\). Literally, "of the upward calling." The goal continually moves forward as we press on, but yet never out of sight.

rwp@Philippians:3:15 @{As many as be perfect} (\hosoi teleioi\). Here the term \teleioi\ means relative perfection, not the absolute perfection so pointedly denied in verse 12|. Paul here includes himself in the group of spiritual adults (see He strkjv@5:13|). {Let us be thus minded} (\touto phron“men\). Present active volitive subjunctive of \phrone“\. "Let us keep on thinking this," viz. that we have not yet attained absolute perfection. {If ye are otherwise minded} (\ei ti heter“s phroneite\). Condition of first class, assumed as true. That is, if ye think that ye are absolutely perfect. {Shall God reveal unto you} (\ho theos humin apokalupsei\). He turns such cases over to God. What else can he do with them? {Whereunto we have already come} (\eis ho ephthasamen\). First aorist active indicative of \phthan“\, originally to come before as in strkjv@1Thessalonians:4:15|, but usually in the _Koin‚_ simply to arrive, attain to, as here.

rwp@Philippians:3:16 @{By that same rule let us walk} (\t“i aut“i stoichein\) Aleph A B do not have \kanoni\ (rule). Besides \stoichein\ is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in strkjv@Romans:12:15|. Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go "in the same path" (\t“i aut“i\) in which we have been travelling so far. A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work.

rwp@Philippians:3:17 @{Imitators together of me} (\sunmimˆtai mou\). Found only here so far, though Plato uses \summimeisthai\. "Vie with each other in imitating me" (Lightfoot). {Mark} (\skopeite\). Old verb from \skopos\ (verse 14|). "Keep your eyes on me as goal." Mark and follow, not avoid as in strkjv@Romans:16:17|. {An ensample} (\tupon\). Originally the impression left by a stroke (John:20:25|), then a pattern (mould) as here (cf. strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:7; strkjv@1Corinthians:10:6,11; strkjv@Romans:5:14; strkjv@6:17|).

rwp@Philippians:3:18 @{I told you often} (\pollakis elegon\). Imperfect active, repetition in Paul s warnings to them. {Even weeping} (\kai klai“n\). Deep emotion as he dictated the letter and recalled these recreant followers of Christ (cf. strkjv@2Corinthians:2:4|). {The enemies of the cross of Christ} (\tous echthrous tou staurou tou Christou\). Either the Judaizers who denied the value of the cross of Christ (Galatians:5:11; strkjv@6:12,14|) or Epicurean antinomians whose loose living gave the lie to the cross of Christ (1John:2:4|).

rwp@Philippians:3:19 @{Whose god is the belly} (\hou to theos hˆ koilia\). The comic poet Eupolis uses the rare word \Koiliodaim“n\ for one who makes a god of his belly and Seneca speaks of one who _abdomini servit_. Sensuality in food, drink, sex then as now mastered some men. These men posed as Christians and gloried in their shame. {Who mind earthly things} (\hoi ta epigeia phronountes\). Anacoluthon. The nominative does not refer to \polloi\ at the beginning, but with the accusative \tous echthrous\ in between. See strkjv@Mark:12:40|.

rwp@Philippians:3:20 @{Our citizenship} (\hˆm“n to politeuma\). Old word from \piliteu“\ (Phillipians:1:27|), but only here in N.T. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John:18:36|). Milligan (_Vocabulary_) doubts if commentators are entitled to translate it here: "We are a colony of heaven," because such a translation reverses the relation between the colony and the mother city. But certainly here Paul's heart is in heaven. {We wait for} (\apekdechometha\). Rare and late double compound (perfective use of prepositions like wait out) which vividly pictures Paul's eagerness for the second coming of Christ as the normal attitude of the Christian colonist whose home is heaven.

rwp@Philippians:3:21 @{Shall fashion anew} (\metaschˆmatisei\). Future active indicative of \metaschˆmatiz“\ for which see strkjv@1Corinthians:4:6; strkjv@2Corinthians:11:13ff|. {Conformed to} (\summorphon\). For which (\sun, morphˆ\) see strkjv@Romans:8:29|, only N.T. examples. With associative instrumental case. The body of our state of humiliation will be made suitable to associate with the body of Christ's glory (1Corinthians:15:54f.|). {According to the working} (\kata tˆn energeian\). "According to the energy." If any one doubts the power of Christ to do this transformation, Paul replies that he has power "even to subject all things unto himself."

rwp@Philippians:4:1 @{Longed for} (\epipothˆtoi\). Late and rare verbal adjective (here alone in N.T.) from \epipothe“\. {Songs:stand fast} (\houto stˆkete\). Present active imperative of \stˆk“\ (late present from perfect \hestˆka\ from \histˆmi\). See strkjv@1:27|. They were tempted to defection. Standing firm is difficult when a panic starts.

rwp@Philippians:4:2 @{Euodia} (\Euodian\). This name means literally "prosperous journey" (\eu, hodos\). It occurs in the inscriptions. {Syntyche} (\Suntuchˆn\). From \suntugchan“\, to meet with and so "pleasant acquaintance" or "good-luck." Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some. Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes, one a Jewish-Christian church, the other a Gentile-Christian church. Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi. Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance. "It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women" (Kennedy).

rwp@Philippians:4:3 @{True yokefellow} (\gnˆsie sunzuge\). All sorts of suggestions have been made here, one that it was Lydia who is termed Paul's wife by the word \sunzuge\. Unfortunately for that view \gnˆsie\ is masculine vocative singular. Some have suggested it as a proper name though it is not found in the inscriptions, but the word does occur as an appellative in one. Lightfoot even proposes Epaphroditus, the bearer of the Epistle, certainly a curious turn to take to address him. After all it matters little that we do not know who the peacemaker was. {Help these women} (\sunlambanou autais\). Present middle imperative of \sunlamban“\, to seize (Matthew:26:55|), to conceive (Luke:1:24|), then to take hold together with one (associative instrumental case), to help as here (Luke:5:7|). "Take hold with them." {They laboured with me} (\sunˆthlˆsan moi\). First aorist active indicative of \sunathle“\ (for which see strkjv@1:27|) with associative instrumental case (\moi\). {With Clement also} (\meta kai Klˆmentos\). There is no evidence that he was Clement of Rome as the name is common. {In the book of life} (\en bibl“i z“ˆs\). The only instance of this expression in the N.T. outside of the Apocalypse (3:5; strkjv@13:8; strkjv@17:8|, etc.). Hence real Christians in spite of their bickerings.

rwp@Philippians:4:4 @{Again I will say} (\palin er“\). Future active indicative of defective verb \eipon\. {Rejoice} (\chairete\). Present active imperative as in strkjv@3:1|, repeated for emphasis in spite of discouragements. Not in the sense of "Farewell" here.

rwp@Philippians:4:5 @{Your forbearance} (\to epieikes hum“n\). "Your gentleness," "your sweet reasonableness" (Matthew Arnold), "your moderation." Old adjective (\epi, eikos\) as in strkjv@James:3:17; strkjv@1Timothy:3:3|. Article and neuter singular here= \hˆ epieikeia\ (Acts:24:4; strkjv@2Corinthians:10:1|) like to \chrˆston\ in strkjv@Romans:2:4|. {The Lord is at hand} (\ho kurios eggus\). "The Apostle's watchword" (Lightfoot), as in strkjv@1Corinthians:16:22| (\Maran atha\, Aramaic equivalent, Our Lord cometh). Unless, indeed, \eggus\ here means near in space instead of {nigh} in time.

rwp@Philippians:4:6 @{In nothing be anxious} (\mˆden merimnƒte\). Present imperative in prohibition, "stop being anxious." See \mˆ merimnƒte\ in strkjv@Matthew:6:31|. {With thanksgiving} (\meta eucharistias\). In all the forms of prayer here named thanksgiving should appear.

rwp@Philippians:4:7 @{The peace of God} (\hˆ eirˆnˆ tou theou\). See in strkjv@2Thessalonians:3:16| "the Lord of peace" (\ho Kurios tˆs eirˆnˆs\) and verse 9| for "the God of peace" (\ho theos tˆs eirˆnˆs\). {Shall guard} (\phrourˆsei\). "Shall garrison," future active indicative of \phroure“\, old verb from \phrouros\ (\pro-horos, proora“\, to see before, to look out). See strkjv@Acts:9:24; strkjv@2Corinthians:11:32|. God's peace as a sentinel mounts guard over our lives as Tennyson so beautifully pictures Love as doing.

rwp@Philippians:4:8 @{Finally} (\to loipon\). See on ¯3:1|. {Whatsoever} (\hosa\). Thus he introduces six adjectives picturing Christian ideals, old-fashioned and familiar words not necessarily from any philosophic list of moral excellencies Stoic or otherwise. Without these no ideals can exist. They are pertinent now when so much filth is flaunted before the world in books, magazines and moving-pictures under the name of realism (the slime of the gutter and the cess-pool). {Honourable} (\semna\). Old word from \seb“\, to worship, revere. Songs:revered, venerated (1Timothy:3:8|). {Pure} (\hagna\). Old word for all sorts of purity. There are clean things, thoughts, words, deeds. {Lovely} (\prosphilˆ\). Old word, here only in N.T., from \pros\ and \phile“\, pleasing, winsome. {Of good report} (\euphˆma\. Old word, only here in N.T., from \eu\ and \phˆmˆ\, fair-speaking, attractive. {If there be any} (\ei tis\). Paul changes the construction from \hosa\ (whatsoever) to a condition of the first class, as in strkjv@2:1|, with two substantives. {Virtue} (\aretˆ\). Old word, possibly from \aresk“\, to please, used very often in a variety of senses by the ancients for any mental excellence or moral quality or physical power. Its very vagueness perhaps explains its rarity in the N.T., only four times (Phillipians:4:8; strkjv@1Peter:2:9; strkjv@2Peter:1:3,5|). It is common in the papyri, but probably Paul is using it in the sense found in the LXX (Isaiah:42:12; strkjv@43:21|) of God's splendour and might (Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 95) in connection with "praise" (\epainos\) as here or even meaning praise. {Think on these things} (\tauta logizesthe\). Present middle imperative for habit of thought. We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.

rwp@Philippians:4:9 @{In me} (\en emoi\). Paul dares to point to his life in Philippi as an illustration of this high thinking. The preacher is the interpreter of the spiritual life and should be an example of it. {These things do} (\tauta prassete\). Practise as a habit (\prass“\, not \poie“\).

rwp@Philippians:4:10 @{I rejoice} (\echarˆn\). Second aorist passive indicative of \chair“\, a timeless aorist. I did rejoice, I do rejoice. {Greatly} (\megal“s\). Old adverb, only here in N.T., from \megas\ (great). {Now at length} (\ˆdˆ pote\). In N.T. only here and strkjv@Romans:1:10|. \Pote\ is indefinite past (interval), \ˆdˆ\ immediate present. {Ye have revived} (\anethalete\). Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer), \anathall“\, to sprout again, to shoot up, to blossom again. Songs:in the LXX five times, though rare and literary word. {Your thought for me} (\to huper emou phronein\). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of \anethalete\ used transitively. "You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh." {Wherein} (\eph' h“i\). "In which," "upon which" (locative case). A loose reference to Paul's interests as involved in their thinking of him. {Ye did indeed take thought} (\kai ephroneite\). Imperfect active, "ye were also (or had been also) thinking." {Ye lacked opportunity} (\ˆkaireisthe\). Imperfect middle of \akaireomai\, late and rare word, here only in N.T., from \akairos\ (\a\ privative, \kairos\), not to have a chance, the opposite of \eukaire“\ (Mark:6:31|).

rwp@Philippians:4:11 @{In respect of want} (\kath' husterˆsin\). Late and rare word from \hustere“\, to be behind or too late, only here and strkjv@Mark:12:44| in N.T. {I have learned} (\emathon\). Simply, "I did learn" (constative second aorist active indicative of \manthan“\, to learn, looking at his long experience as a unit. {In whatsoever state I am} (\en hois eimi\). "In what things (circumstances) I am." {To be content} (\autarkˆs einai\). Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective \autarkˆs\ (from \autos\ and \arke“\, to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though \autarkeia\ occurs in strkjv@2Corinthians:9:8; strkjv@1Timothy:6:6|. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: "He that is content with least, for \autarkeia\ is nature's wealth."

rwp@Philippians:4:12 @{I know how} (\oida\). Followed by the infinitive \oida\ has this sense. Songs:here twice, with \tapeinousthai\, to be humbled, from \tapeinos\, and with \perisseuein\, to overflow. {Have I learned the secret} (\memuˆmai\). Perfect passive indicative of \mue“\, old and common word from \mu“\, to close (Latin _mutus_), and so to initiate with secret rites, here only in N.T. The common word \mustˆrion\ (mystery) is from \mustˆs\ (one initiated) and this from \mue“\, to initiate, to instruct in secrets. Paul draws this metaphor from the initiatory rites of the pagan mystery-religions. {To be filled} (\chortazesthai\). Old verb from \chortos\ (grass, hay) and so to fatten like an animal. {To be hungry} (\peinƒin\). Old verb from \peina\ (hunger) and kin to \penˆs\, poor man who has to work for his living (\penomai\).

rwp@Philippians:4:13 @{I can do all things} (\panta ischu“\). Old verb to have strength (\ischus\). {In him that strengtheneth me} (\en t“i endunamounti me\). Late and rare verb (in LXX) from adjective \endunamos\ (\en, dunamis\). Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one. See same phrase in strkjv@1Timothy:1:12| \t“i endunam“santi me\ (aorist tense here). Paul has such strength so long as Jesus keeps on putting power (\dunamis\) into him.

rwp@Philippians:4:14 @{That ye had fellowship} (\sunkoin“nˆsantes\). First aorist active participle (simultaneous action with the principal verb \kal“s epoiˆsate\). "Ye did well contributing for my affliction."

rwp@Philippians:4:15 @{In the beginning of the gospel} (\en archˆi tou euaggeliou\). After he had wrought in Philippi (2Thessalonians:2:13|). {Had fellowship} (\ekoin“nˆsen\). "Had partnership" (first aorist active indicative). {In the matter} (\eis logon\). "As to an account." No other church opened an account with Paul. {Of giving and receiving} (\dose“s kai lˆmpse“s\). Credit and debit. A mercantile metaphor repeated in verse 17| by \eis logon hum“n\ (to your account). Paul had to keep books then with no other church, though later Thessalonica and Beroea joined Philippi in support of Paul's work in Corinth (2Corinthians:11:8f.|). {But ye only} (\ei mˆ humeis monoi\). Not even Antioch contributed anything but good wishes and prayers for Paul's work (Acts:13:1-3|).

rwp@Philippians:4:16 @{Once and again} (\kai hapax kai dis\). "Both once and twice" they did it "even in Thessalonica" and so before Paul went to Corinth." See the same Greek idiom in strkjv@1Thessalonians:2:18|.

rwp@Philippians:4:17 @{I seek for} (\epizˆt“\). Old verb, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Romans:11:7| (linear present, I am seeking for). Lightfoot calls it "the Apostle's nervous anxiety to clear himself" of wanting more gifts. Why not say his delicate courtesy?

rwp@Philippians:4:18 @{I have all things} (\apech“ panta\). As a receipt in full in appreciation of their kindness. \Apech“\ is common in the papyri and the ostraca for "receipt in full" (Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 110). See strkjv@Matthew:6:2,5,16|. {I am filled} (\peplˆr“mai\). Perfect passive indicative of \plˆro“\. "Classical Greek would hardly use the word in this personal sense" (Kennedy). {An odour of a sweet smell} (\osmˆn eu“dias\). \Osmˆ\, old word from \oz“\, to smell. \Eu“dia\, old word from \eu\ and \oz“\. In strkjv@Ephesians:5:2| both words come together as here and in strkjv@2Corinthians:2:15| we have \eu“dia\ (only other N.T. example) and in verse strkjv@2Corinthians:2:16| \osmˆ\ twice. \Eu“dias\ here is genitive of quality. {Sacrifice} (\thusian\). Not the act, but the offering as in strkjv@Romans:12:1|. {Well-pleasing} (\euareston\). As in strkjv@Romans:12:1|.

rwp@Philippians:4:19 @{According to his riches in glory} (\kata to ploutos autou en doxˆi\). God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul. The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it.

rwp@Philippians:4:20 @{The glory} (\hˆ doxa\). "The doxology flows out of the joy of the whole epistle" (Bengel).

rwp@Philippians:4:21 @{They that are of Caesar's household} (\hoi ek tˆs Kaisaros oikias\). Not members of the imperial family, but some connected with the imperial establishment. The term can apply to slaves and freedmen and even to the highest functionaries. Christianity has begun to undermine the throne of the Caesars. Some day a Christian will sit on this throne. The gospel works upward from the lower classes. lt was so at Corinth and in Rome. It is true today. It is doubtful if Nero had yet heard of Paul for his case may have been dismissed by lapse of time. But this obscure prisoner who has planted the gospel in Caesar's household has won more eternal fame and power than all the Caesars combined. Nero will commit suicide shortly after Paul has been executed. Nero's star went down and Paul's rose and rises still.

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