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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:4

Look not every man on his own things - Do nothing through self-interest in the things of God; nor arrogate to yourselves gifts, graces, and fruits, which belong to others; ye are all called to promote God's glory and the salvation of men. Labor for this, and every one shall receive the honor that comes from God; and let each rejoice to see another, whom God may be pleased to use in a special way, acquiring much reputation by the successful application of his talents to the great work. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:1

Verse 1 1If there is therefore any consolation. There is an extraordinary tenderness in this exhortation, (93) in which he entreats by all means the Philippians mutually to cherish harmony among themselves, lest, in the event of their being torn asunder by intestine contentions, they should expose themselves to the impostures of the false apostles. For when there are disagreements, there is invariably a door opened for Satan to disseminate impious doctrines, while agreement is the best bulwark... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:2

Verse 2 2Fulfil ye my joy. Here again we may see how little anxiety he had as to himself, provided only it went well with the Church of Christ. He was kept shut up in prison, and bound with chains; he was reckoned worthy of capital punishment — before his view were tortures — near at hand was the executioner; yet all these things do not prevent his experiencing unmingled joy, provided he sees that the Churches are in a good condition. Now what he reckons the chief indication of a prosperous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:3

Verse 3 3Nothing through strife or vain-glory. These are two most dangerous pests for disturbing the peace of the Church. Strife is awakened when every one is prepared to maintain pertinaciously his own opinion; and when it has once begun to rage it rushes headlong (98) in the direction from which it has entered. Vain-glory (99) tickles men’s minds, so that every one is delighted with his own inventions. Hence the only way of guarding against dissensions is — when we avoid strifes by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1

If there be therefore, any consolation in Christ . Mark the fervor of the apostle. ὅρα πῶς λιπαρῶς πῶς σφοδρῶς πῶς μετὰ συμπαωείας πολλῆς (Chrysostom). He appeals to the Christian experience of the Philippians; if these experiences are real, as they are; facts verified in the believer's consciousness; not talk, not mere forms of speech,—then fulfill ye my joy. Consolation ; perhaps "exhortation" is the more suitable rendering in this place: if the presence of Christ, if... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-2

Christian like-mindness. It seems strange that the apostle, knowing the difficulty of getting a thousand minds to agree in the reception of intellectual truth, should yet counsel them to seek a unity of opinion. There is nothing strange in the fact when we consider how much the intellect of man is influenced by his moral nature. I. THE NATURE AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LIKE - MINDEDNESS . "That ye be like-minded, having the same love, with accordant souls minding the one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-2

Exhortation to unity: I. 1 . What consolation ( or , exhortation ) is there in Christ without this desire ? What growth in the knowledge of him or in union with him? 2 . What comfort of love ? How can the royal law of love of the brethren be fulfilled without this? 3 . What fellowship of the Holy Spirit ? It is the office of the Holy Ghost to bind together. How can we be partakers of him unless he is working in us his peculiar work? 4 . What tender... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-2

Brotherly union. St. Paul had already much joy in contemplating the spiritual prosperity of the Philippians ( Philippians 1:4 ). One thing only was wanting to make that joy complete. There was some danger lest a spirit of faction should creep in and mar the family unity of the Church, especially among the women ( Philippians 4:2 ). If this danger were averted and harmony established, the joy of the apostle would be full I. BROTHERLY UNION IS THE CROWNING GRACE OF THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-4

Exhortation to unity. I. St. PAUL 'S ERNEST DESIRE FOR THE UNITY OF THE . PHILIPPIAN CHURCH . 1 . He desires that unity because he loves them. His happiness is bound up with their spiritual welfare. "Fulfil ye my joy," he says; he had learned to look upon the things of others; his deepest joy depended, not on his own personal comforts, but on the spiritual progress of those whom he loved. The remembrance of the Philippians ( Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:4 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:1-4

Altruism. Paul has been speaking of the gifts of faith and of suffering which the Philippians had received, and now he proceeds to state further the practical outcome of the Christian spirit. It is really an altruism of a more thorough character than that provided by the schools. We have altruism paraded at present as the high outcome of that morality which is independent of God. But there is no consideration of the case of others so broad or so deep as that which is secured by the... read more

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