Philippians 3:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 3:1-3

It seems the church of the Philippians, though a faithful and flourishing church, was disturbed by the judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to keep up the law of Moses, and mix the observances of it with the doctrine of Christ and his institutions. He begins the chapter with warnings against these seducers. I. He exhorts them to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 3:1), to rest satisfied in the interest they had in him and the benefit they hoped for by him. It is the character and temper of sincere... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 3:1

3:1 As for what remains, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble to me to write the same things to you, and for you it is safe. Paul sets down two very important things. (i) He sets down what we might call the indestructibility of Christian joy. He must have felt that he had been setting a high challenge before the Philippian Church. For them there was the possibility of the same kind of persecution, and even the same kind of death, as threatened himself. From one point of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord ,.... The Syriac version reads, "in our Lord", i.e. Christ. The apostle seems as if he was about to conclude his epistle; and therefore, as if he was taking his farewell of this church, and giving his last advice to them, he exhorts them in a most affectionate manner, as his dear brethren in a spiritual relation, that they would make Christ their chief joy; that whatever sorrow they might have on account of his bonds, or the sickness of Epaphroditus,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1

Rejoice in the Lord - Be always happy; but let that happiness be such as you derive from the Lord. To write the same things - He means those which he had formerly preached to them or to other Churches, for he had but one Gospel; and we may rest assured that the doctrine of this epistle was the same with his preaching. For you it is safe - It is much better to have these Divine things committed to writing than confided to memory. By the latter they may be either lost or corrupted, by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1

Verse 1 1Rejoice in the Lord This is a conclusion from what goes before, for as Satan never ceased to distress them with daily rumors, he bids them divest themselves of anxiety and be of good courage. In this way he exhorts them to constancy, that they may not fall back from the doctrine which they have once received. The phrase henceforward denotes a continued course, that, in the midst of many hinderances, they may not cease to exercise holy joy. It is a rare excellence when Satan endeavors... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord . This word "finally" ( τὸ λοιπόν is frequently used by St. Paul to introduce a practical conclusion after the doctrinal portion of his Epistles: thus it occurs again in Philippians 4:8 , and also in 2 Corinthians 13:11 ; Ephesians 6:10 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1 . Some render χαίρετε "farewell;" but "rejoice" seems more suitable here. The golden thread of spiritual joy runs through this Epistle. "Rejoice in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1

Spiritual joy. "Finally, brethren, rejoice in the Lord." The key-note of the Epistle still recurs. I. THE NATURE OF JOY IN THE LORD . It is to make him the object of our joy: 1 . For what he is in himself, the God of love and light and blessing. 2 . For what he is to us: The world rejoices in creation and sees no joy in God, but the believer finds the joy of the Lord to be his strength ( Nehemiah 8:10 ). II. THE DUTY OF REJOICING IN THE LORD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1

Sameness. I. ITS NECESSITY . In ordinary life there must be much of sameness. The same duties, occupations, interests, events, occur from day to day. The same temptations have to be met by the same spiritual weapons. This is very clearly scan when our duties are concerned with the training and teaching of others. The same faults must be rebuked, the same advice given, the same disappointments experienced. II. ITS TEDIOUSNESS . Many feel this keenly and long for a greater... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1

(See on Philippians 4:4 .)—W.F.A. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:1-3

Holy joy. I. THE CHRISTIAN 'S PRIVILEGE . 1 . It is in the Lord. "Rejoice in the Lord," the apostle says. The Lord, who once gave himself for us, gives himself to us now. "Behold," he says, "I stand at the door, and knock." If we listen to his voice, and open the door of our heart, he is ready to enter, to bless us with his sacred presence, to abide with us for ever. In his presence there is fullness of joy. We can know it only by experience. "The love of Jesus, what it is,... read more

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