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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:6

Verse 6 6But in all things It is the singular number that is made use of by Paul, but is the neuter gender; the expression, therefore, is equivalent to omni negotio , (in every matter,) for (prayer) and (supplication) are feminine nouns. In these words he exhorts the Philippians, as David does all the pious in Psalms 55:22, and Peter also in 1 Peter 5:7, to cast all their care upon the Lord. For we are not made of iron, (234) so as not to be shaken by temptations. But this is our consolation,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:7

Verse 7 7.And the peace of God Some, by turning the future tense into the optative mood, convert this statement into a prayer, but it is without proper foundation. For it is a promise in which he points out the advantage of a firm confidence in God, and invocation of him. “If you do that,” says he, “the peace of God will keep your minds and hearts.” Scripture is accustomed to divide the soul of man, as to its frailties, into two parts — the mind and the heart. The mind means the understanding,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:8

Verse 8 8.Finally What follows consists of general exhortations which relate to the whole of life. In the first place, he commends truth, which is nothing else than the integrity of a good conscience, with the fruits of it: secondly, gravity, or sanctity, for τὸ σεμνόν (240) denotes both — an excellence which consists in this, that we walk in a manner worthy of our vocation, (Ephesians 4:1,) keeping at a distance from all profane filthiness: thirdly, justice, which has to do with the mutual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:1-6

Genuine Churchism. "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:1-7

Various exhortations. I. STEADFASTNESS . "Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved." As in the first chapter our performing our duties as citizens is followed by the exhortation to stand fast, so here our possession of the privileges of heavenly citizens is more formally made the ground of the same exhortation. We are to stand fast so as has been pointed out, i.e. as heavenly citizens. There might be a standing fast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:1-9

The life of joy and peace. Celestial citizenship, "other-worldliness," as it has been called, should have a further issue than the expectation of the advent. It should have practical issues in a life of great peace and joy. It is, therefore, to such a life Paul calls his Philippian converts. Let us look at the interesting details. I. CELESTIAL CITIZENSHIP CALLS FOR UNITY AND COOPERATION IN THE WORK OF THE LORD . ( Philippians 4:1-3 .) Nothing is so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4-7

The key-note of the Epistle: holy joy, with its blessed results. I. THE DUTY OF REJOICING . 1 . The Christian should learn to rejoice always. The word "always" is emphatic. There lies the difficulty, there too lies the blessedness, of rejoicing in the Lord. It is easy to rejoice in moments of excitement, but to rejoice always , in affliction, in pain, in weariness, in disappointment, is difficult indeed. St. Paul had learned the lesson which he teaches—he rejoiced in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing ; rather, as R.V., in nothing be anxious. ΄έριμνα is anxious, distracting care. St. Paul does not wish his converts to be careless, but to be free from that over-anxiety about worldly things which might distract their thoughts from the service of God, and hinder their growth in holiness. Comp. 1 Peter 5:7 , where the apostle bids us cast all our care ( μέριμνα ) upon God. The thought of the Lord's nearness should lead us both to be forbearing in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6

The cure for anxiety. I. THE DISEASE . We must, of course, be careful for many things, in the sense of taking thought about them or taking pains in working on them. Christianity does not favor indolent improvidence; for it teaches, "If a man will not work neither let him eat." Nor does it encourage reckless carelessness; for it everywhere instils a thoughtful, conscientious sense of responsibility. What it does discourage is anxiety. 1 . This is painful. How painful most of us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

A cure for care. The apostle forbids harassing anxiety and enjoins prayerfulness as the sure way to peace. "Be anxious for nothing." Mark— I. THE WISE COUNSEL OF THE APOSTLE . 1 . This does not mean that we are not to be anxious about duty. We ought to have a deep concern for every interest of God's kingdom. A certain measure of anxious thought is necessary to the efficient performance of every duty of life. 2 . It means that we are not to be anxious about the... read more

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