4. ( :-.) alway—even amidst the afflictions now distressing you ( :-). again—as he had already said, "Rejoice" (Philippians 3:1). Joy is the predominant feature of the Epistle. I say—Greek, rather, "I will say." read more
1. Restoring unity 4:2-3 read more
C. Specific duties 4:2-9This last section (Philippians 4:2-9) of the body of the epistle (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9) deals with the same two subjects as the preceding two sections, unity and steadfastness, but in more detail. Paul gave his readers specific instructions about what they should do. Unity needed restoring, and steadfastness needed encouraging. read more
Paul appealed to another person in the Philippian church to help Euodia and Syntyche restore their fellowship. Most translations interpret suzuge ("comrade" or "yokefellow") as a description rather than as a proper name. Probably it referred to the leading elder (pastor) in the church. There are many other views of who this person was, all of which, I think, are less probable. [Note: See the commentaries.] Euodia and Syntyche had evidently labored for the Lord with Paul (cf. Acts 16:13-15).... read more
Rejoicing in Christ is something the apostle had commanded earlier (Philippians 3:1) and had illustrated abundantly for his readers throughout this epistle. He must have felt that there was a great need for this attitude in Philippi. There were many reasons why the Philippian saints could have felt discouraged. Paul’s imprisonment and the possibility of his death, Epaphroditus’ illness, and the antagonism of unbelievers were a few. The attacks from legalists on the one hand and libertines on... read more
2. Maintaining tranquillity 4:4-9Paul gave his readers five other brief positive exhortations, all of which are vitally important for individual and corporate Christian living. They all result in the maintenance of peace in the body so the saints can work together effectively as partners in the gospel even in the midst of opposing unbelievers. read more
4:3 them, (a-9) Or 'those [women];' 'them' is feminine. who (b-10) i e. who are such as, haitines . read more
4Final Charge. Acknowledgement of Philippian BountyVI. Closing Exhortations (Philippians 4:1-9)§ 15. Philippians 4:1-3. With heightened feeling St. Paul resumes the vein of exhortation commenced in Philippians 3:1: Wherefore (in view of the grand hope of our calling).. so stand fast in the Lord (see Philippians 1:27)—’so,’ i.e. in ’imitating’ the Apostle and ’marking those’ of like ’walk’ (Philippians 3:17); this appeal sums up the foregoing homily. For the endearing epithets accumulated here,... read more
[7.Words of Warning (Philippians 3:1 to Philippians 4:3).(1) AGAINST THE JUDAISERS.(a)Warning against confidence “in the flesh,” illustrated by his own renunciation of all Jewish privileges and hopes, in order to have “the righteousness of Christ” (Philippians 3:1-9).(b)Warning against confidence in perfection as already attained, again illustrated by his own sense of imperfection and hope of continual progress (Philippians 3:10-16).(2) AGAINST THE ANTINOMIAN PARTY.Contrast of the sensual and... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 4:3
3. And—Greek, "Yea." true yoke-fellow—yoked with me in the same Gospel yoke (Matthew 11:29; Matthew 11:30; compare 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:18). Either Timothy, Silas (Acts 15:40; Acts 16:19, at Philippi), or the chief bishop of Philippi. Or else the Greek, "Sunzugus," or "Synzygus," is a proper name: "Who art truly, as thy name means, a yoke-fellow." Certainly not Paul's wife, as Acts 16:19- : implies he had none. help those women—rather, as Greek, "help them," namely, Euodia and Syntyche.... read more