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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:3-8

St. Paul an example to all Christian ministers. I. HE REMEMBERS HIS CONVERTS . He was possessed through and through with an ardent love of souls. Like the good Shepherd, he knew his sheep, and cared for them with a sincere, self-sacrificing affection. He worked for them while he could; in prison he does not forget them. His thoughts are not taken up with his own hardships and dangers. The care of all the Churches still occupies his mind. He has his converts in his heart; it is his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:3-11

The apostle's intercession and assurance. Having saluted a well-organized Church with its bishops and deacons, Paul proceeds to express his thanksgivings and his intercessions. From this Church at Philippi alone had he received supplies. By the hand of Epaphroditus they had forwarded their love-tokens to the imprisoned apostle, and he rejoiced in the sympathy this showed with the furtherance of the gospel. Accordingly he proceeds to prayer, and pours out his significant intercessions for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:3-11

Expression of interest. I. THANKSGIVING . 1 . Whom he thanked. "I thank my God." As it was in connection with their matters that he thanked God, he might have said, "I thank your God." As he made common cause with them, he might have said, "I thank our God." As he felt personally indebted to God on their account, what he says is, "I thank my God." 2 . Upon what he proceeded in thanksgiving. "Upon all my remembrance of you." This was a gracious word with which, as a wise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:4

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy . Perhaps the first part of this verse is better joined with Philippians 1:3 , " I thank my God … always in every prayer of mine for you all ;" so Bishop Lightfoot The Greek word for "prayer" and "request "is the same, better rendered "my supplication," he as the R.V.; it implies not merely a lifting up of the heart to God, but an earnest entreaty for a necessary gift. We meet now for the first time with that "joy"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:4

Christian joy not dependent upon outward circumstances. I. 1 . The outward circumstances of St. Paul's life, at the time of his writing this Epistle, were singularly joyless. A prisoner in Rome, awaiting his trial, deprived of the power of freely preaching the gospel when and where he would, compelled to be in the society of his Roman guard night and day. 2 . Notwithstanding these untoward conditions he is inwardly full of joy. The key-note of the Epistle is rejoice. 3 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 1:5

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now ; rather, as R.V., for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel. This verse should be taken in connection with Philippians 1:3 . St. Paul thanks God for their help, their co-operation towards the work of the gospel. They helped forward the work by their prayers, their labors, and their liberal bounty. This fellowship began "in the beginning of the gospel," when the Philippians sent aid to the apostle at Thessalonica and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 1:4

Always - There is much emphasis in the expressions which are used here. Paul labors to show them that he never forgot them; that he always remembered them in his prayers.In every prayer of mine - This was a proof of particular and special affection, that while there were so many objects demanding his prayers, and so many other churches which he had founded, he never forgot them. The person or object that we remember in every prayer must be very dear to the heart.For you all - Not for the church... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 1:5

For your fellowship in the gospel - “For your liberality toward me, a preacher of the gospel.” - Wetstein. There has been, however, no little difference of opinion about the meaning of this phrase. Many - as Doddridge, Koppe, and others - suppose it refers to the fact that they participated in the blessings of the gospel from the first day that he preached it until the time when he wrote this Epistle. Others suppose that it refers to their constancy in the Christian faith. Others - as Pierce,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 1:3-8

Philippians 1:3-8. I thank my God upon every remembrance Or mention, as μνεια equally signifies; of you Whether before the throne of grace, or when conversing with my fellow-Christians. The clause may also be rendered, I thank my God for all your kind remembrance of me, namely, (as he partly at least means,) with respect to the supplies they had sent him. Always in every prayer of mine He never failed, it seems, to pray for the churches when he prayed for himself; making request ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 1:1-11

1:1-26 PAUL’S EXPERIENCES DURING IMPRISONMENTA prayer for the Philippians (1:1-11)In greeting the church, Paul mentions in particular the church leaders, as these had probably been responsible for arranging the collection of gifts sent to him (1:1-2). He is thankful not only for the present gift, but for the many gifts they have sent him, from his first visit to their city to his current imprisonment. Through their prayers and gifts they have been true partners with him in spreading the gospel... read more

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