This is the righteousness whose source is in God; it is also by faith of Christ, and not through the law, which, of course, would have man's righteousness if it could. My Aunt Lois, in fact, who is now moved down into the area that we can be near her. So God said that their grumbling was against Him (Exod. That is what it is all about. The passive shines in Christ coming down; the active is realized by the eye that is fixed on Christ, who is actually in glory. This counting on the Lord the apostle might have even where things were wrong. Not the passive side of the Christian as being in the world, but the active comes before us. I have shared with you before how my break came with the denomination, over the fact that they announced to the pastors that competition was carnal motivation, but we must realize that the majority of the people we minister to are carnal, and thus, have to be carnally motivated. I worked with the Boys Brigade program when Daniel was younger. Its possible to put on a good front at church, but to be leading a double life. It should be "the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.". Jesus did not think it robbery to be equal with God; he did not regard existence in equality with God as something to be snatched at. He was with Paul in Philippi ( Acts 16:1-40); he was with him in Thessalonica and Berea ( Acts 17:1-14); he was with him in Corinth and in Ephesus ( Acts 18:5; Acts 19:21-22); and he was with him in prison in Rome ( Colossians 1:1; Php_1:1 ). Thus our testimony is built on our life in Christ, a life free from grumbling and disputing, a life filled with the joy of Christ and the salvation He has given us, even in trials. It was not some sudden fit, if one may so say, nor was it the influence of passing circumstances. Their gift to him was "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." It was a bad testimony to the nations around them, that the God who had provided a mighty deliverance for Israel would not also provide for their basic needs. There is something which ought to be made known unto men, namely, the not fighting for your rights. It is interwoven with practical appeal, and indeed the chief development of doctrine (namely, in the second chapter) forms a ground of exhortation. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. Let nobody suppose me to insinuate that a woman is not in place when exercising, according to the Scripture, any gift God has given her. The people murmured against Moses ( Exodus 15:24; Exodus 16:2; Numbers 16:41). Now, having seen Christ, if he could even bring his own righteousness into heaven, he would not. This will be, no doubt, at the end of the journey: the faithful win Christ where He is. F and G, by manifest error, read , and this seems to have been corrected (or rather corrupted) in order to make sense into (omitting ) in K and L and the mass of cursives. I sent him [Epaphroditus] therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. The great warning of what complaining and disputing can lead to is Israels 10 instances of complaining in the wilderness. The apostle takes up, no doubt, the sweet affections of chapter 2, but then they are strengthened by the energy that Christ seen in glory imparts, as in chapter 3. You may ask, Why do that? One day you are going to confess Jesus Christ is the Lord. You see, Paul tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved, for with the mouth man confesses unto salvation. [45] William Hendriksen, op. "Let your moderation be known unto all men. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Christ Jesus." Do they grumble and dispute with God: How could You do this to me when Ive faithfully followed You? Or, filled with joy in the Lord, do they shine forth as lights in the darkness? This incident is found in Deuteronomy 32:5 in the Septuagint where the Israelites are described as "spotted children, a crooked and perverse generation." The Christian offers and demonstrates straightness in a twisted world and light in a dark world. (1-4) The example of Christ. If he left this world, he would be with Christ; if he lived longer in this, world, Christ was with him. But it is not so that God has written His word. Who, being in the form of God, and thought it not something to be grasped to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation [or in the Greek, emptied Himself], and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men ( Philippians 2:7 ): Well, we see now the steps downward as He emptied Himself: starting with God, equal with God, and yet, He emptied Himself and He came in the form of a servant, and was made like men. And so accordingly His servant says here, "If I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour.". In Him, we, know, who was the perfect model in the same warfare, which He fought single-handed, conquering for God's glory and for us, the prince of this world came, and had nothing in Him, absolutely nothing. Hence the conflict is never with internal evil, but rather with Satan. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. "You know, God doesn't want any griping service. The glory of divinity Jesus gave up willingly in order to become man. Why should such as they face the unmannerly officials that took advantage of the imperial government to treat with injury those identified with the gospel? He would have them realize the solemnity of the strife that is going on. The name of Christ Himself is the true centre of the saints; unto this the Spirit gathers. Why is it that God heals some and does not heal others? As the Philippians work out their own salvation in fear and trembling, they are to do so without "complaining and arguing" (NIV). The great characteristics of Jesus' life were humility, obedience, and self-renunciation. We really don't know, and it is wrong to place the guilt upon the sick person. But the childs bad attitude makes people think poorly of the parents, no matter how good of parents they really are. This was a simple creed, yet all-embracing. should have been altered to . He is perfect in all His ways. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." Learn to be the servant.It is interesting to me, how that these words of Paul are so often disregarded by the church. It was used in the Greek language to refer to pure wine, without any mixture of water in it. The first word in this verse in the Greek text is "all things" (NASB) or "everything" (NIV), which by its position indicates the writers emphasis. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others [or the needs of others]( Philippians 2:4 ). He had seen the herald summoning the racers to the starting-line ( 1 Corinthians 9:27); he had seen the runners press along the course to the goal ( Php_3:14 ); he had seen the judge awarding the prize at the end of the race ( 2 Timothy 4:8); he knew of the victor's laurel crown and of his exultation ( 1 Corinthians 9:24; Php_4:1 ). He should do good deeds, not that men may glorify him, but that they may glorify his Father in heaven. It is the proper term for physical tiredness induced by work, exertion, or heat (TDNT 3 827-830). Timothy shared the unselfishness of the apostle's heart. This Paul tells them would be his joy: "That I may rejoice in the day of Christ; not only rejoice in your stedfastness, but in your usefulness." ), . Looking to the Lord, as it is the life-breath of love, so it adds to the value of brotherly kindness in its season. It was not so with the Philippians. 1706.return to 'Jump List'. However, the rendering "hold fast" is preferable to many scholars. Here that simple idea is stated with a fulness which is without parallel. He knew the foot-race, most famous of all the contests. And so Epaphroditus was concerned, they were worried for him, because of that sickness.Interesting, Paul had a tremendous ministry of healing. Without rebuke--amometa. It was such an one, truly the servant of Jesus Christ, and so much the more their servant because His, even their servant for Jesus' sake it was such an one that wrote from Rome to the tried saints at Philippi. It might be to defray the expenses of an embassy, or the cost of putting on one of the dramas of the great poets, or of training the athletes who would represent the city in the games, or of fitting out a warship and paying a crew to serve in the navy of the state. The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances. So also do you rejoice, and share my rejoicing. There is therefore not the slightest ground to countenance the rather dangerous idea, that the apostle did not employ a phrase analogous to the correct one which is found elsewhere in the New Testament, and adopted "a popular and familiar mode of expression," i.e. If a Christians life isnt what it should be, should he give verbal witness of Christ? Paul is clear about the lonely and ultimate supremacy of God. His own place toward them was but to serve them in love. It is, in fact, the explanation of how salvation is to be wrought out. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. In any case, indeed, to the Christian, death is gain; but he could best say it who could say, "To me to live is Christ," who could say it not merely as the faith of Him, but as a matter of simple, unconstrained, spontaneous enjoyment of Christ in practical ways. Here, accordingly, it is not the outgoings of love, but the zeal that burns indignantly as to what dishonours the Lord. There is not one of these things but may in itself become the veriest snare; and so much the more dangerous because each looks fair. As soon as I am able to free him, I am going to send him to you. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.". It is His nature to dispel darkness. Life and immortality are brought to light by the gospel,2 Timothy 1:10. When the night is the darkest. Be patient in, and contented with, your work; and see that ye fall not out by the way. But the aim of the Christian ought to be not self-display, but self-obliteration. How the text got gradually changed from the most correct form (not correction) in the early Uncials has been explained. Hence, says he, "I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. This place throughout is one of promoting, enlarging, deepening, and purifying the experience of the saints themselves in that which filled his own heart with joy in the Lord. He sent the plagues, then He led Israel to the edge of the Red Sea and brought Pharaohs army on their heels. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. But the practical ways and spirit of the Philippians were the living evidence not only of life, but, so to speak, of vigorous health in Christ. I was wrong in rejecting Him as Lord of my life.". To be a Christian was to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (compare Romans 10:9). "Murmuring" (gongysmos) is found in three other places in the New Testament. Sweet and wondrous word to say that Christ is our life; but the question is, how are we living? Jesus truly became man. A baby, a child, a boy, a youth, a man of middle age, an old man always have the morphe ( G3444) of humanity, but the outward schema ( G4976) changes all the time. We continue to be victims of the same habits and slaves of the same temptations, and guilty of the same failures. Let us take the phrases one by one. This is certainly what the apostle here puts before these saints. True experience is still the great theme which the apostle has in hand here as well as in his own personal history. It is plain, then, that inPhilippians 2:1-30; Philippians 2:1-30 the great spring of power is the love and the glory of Him who came down; who, even when He did so come, went down still lower, where none could accompany Him. This is what brings him, if one may so say, into the dilemma of love. B. What is there that you can rightly plead but Christ's own name? Every Christian should have this two-fold witness: a life of joy, which often opens the door to the second part, the message or word of life. He fled by night to avoid the high office the Church was offering him; and it was only the direct intervention and command of the Emperor which made him agree to become bishop of Milan. There are two significant things about it; it is always used of the action of God, and it is always used of effective action. From that time Paul and Timothy were very close. God was pleased, even whilst the apostle was alive, to set him aside and to prove the power of faith where he was not. Where there were crowds of men, Paul would be there to seek to win them for Christ. I'll tell you, they are so much. When youre in the darkest place! Here Paul gives him a tremendous testimonial, which will silence any possible criticism of his return. Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, Bible > Philippians > Chapter 2 > Verse 14 eBibles Free Downloads Audio Philippians 2:14 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do everything without grumbling or arguing, New Living Translation But that will not be so in that day, the confession will not be to salvation. But in lowliness of mind, just esteem others better than yourself. This is what he did, and accordingly this is the source, not merely of a firm faith and confidence as to the issue, but of present joy and all-overcoming power. When we submit our lives to the Spirit, day by day, we automatically do the good works that God has prepared for us to do, because it is God Who is working in us Himself, producing in our heart the desire to do the good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do, in the only way that is pleasing to Him (through the power of the indwellin. It may be that as Israels complaining was directed toward Moses, yet was in truth against God, Paul is telling them that when they grumble against their leaders, they are actually grumbling against God. Himself the striking witness to the contrary, he looked for nothing less in the saints he so dearly loved. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." But all in heaven and on earth shall be in reconciliation with God and headed up in Christ, with whom the Church shall share the unbounded inheritance. But it does confront our attitude in how we raise questions or disagreements. The gospel--that Christ died for our sins, that He arose victorious over sin and death, that He offers a full pardon from the wages of sin to all who will receive it by faith--that good news is the power of God to salvation for all who believe. But now the apostle turns to the use that he makes of so blessed a pattern, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence." Hence he speaks of the conflict which they once saw to be in him, and now heard to be in him. It was due to His humiliation and obedience; and so it is here treated. "Rejoice in the Lord alway." ESV that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, NIV so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.'. It is wrong to put the burden upon the people who are sick or upon your relatives. In one sense these words are synonyms, but they never mean entirely the same thing; they always have some special flavour. "Give a man like that a welcome home," he says. We need to draw from God, the spring and the only supplier of power that can resist the devil; but, at the same time, that we have the devil to resist in His power is a conviction that may well demand "fear and trembling;" and this, lest in such a conflict we should let in anything of self, which would at once give a handle to the devil. Goggusmos ( G1112) --pronounced gongusomos--is an onomatopoetic word. His life is of such purity that none can find anything in it with which to find fault. Most of us can learn to grumble and argue less than we do now, but such activities should be totally absent from our lives. 2:8). It describes that part of a man which, in any circumstances, remains the same. Hence I am inclined to retain . It shows us grace practically in different measures and forms. The gospel has the principle of life in it. But having deigned to become a servant, He goes down lower still. The Christian will do all things without murmurings and questionings. [Note: Motyer, pp. So it was right for him to anticipate good and not evil, not as in the authorized version and other translations, because "I have you in my heart," which would be no ground of assurance for them, but because "ye have me in your heart," which showed their spiritual feelings to be true and sound. No saints are outside the danger. If I be offered, or poured out as the wine of the drink-offerings, spendomai.2 Timothy 4:6, I am now ready to be offered. He thus takes a common place with his beloved son in the gospel. Evidently, therefore, two glories of Jesus are referred to here. So he is saying. But, lets face it: Sometimes His ways lead us into the wilderness, where there are hardships. His countenance and behaviour, from that day until the day that he was compelled to present himself in the public place of preaching, did sufficiently declare the grief and trouble of his heart. The New International Version translates the word "appear" (phainesthe) as "shine." But here is the proper experience of a Christian. The word Paul uses for Jesus being in the form of God is morphe ( G3444) ; that is to say, his unchangeable being is divine. They had been manifesting their mindful love for the apostle, who on his part was certainly not forgetful of its least token. It is not at all a question of what one has here. What is it that brings us into the blessed fellowship that we enjoy? So the apostle lets them know that he owned their hearty love; "not," he says, "because I desire a gift." They must shine as well as be sincere.--Holding forth the word of life,Philippians 2:16; Philippians 2:16. Cp. But whatever might be their own proper joy, whatever might be their delight in that which God works in the church, they had full and simple-hearted fellowship with His good news. (128) The term is used by Aristotle. He knows that his death may not be very far away, for he is writing in prison and awaiting trial. A man's relationships with his fellow-men are no bad indication of his relationship with Jesus Christ. Roses, daffodils, tulips, chrysanthemums, primroses, dahlias, lupins all have the one morphe ( G3444) of flowers; but their schema ( G4976) is different. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ( Philippians 2:8 ). How it happened, we cannot tell, but it is the mystery of a love so great that, although we can never fully understand it, we can blessedly experience it and adore it. What might you and I have thought of such? He has written His word not to perplex, but to enlighten. THE PICTURES OF PAUL ( Php_2:12-18 continued). Codd. In God there is ample supply. That there was all this abundantly in these saints he did not doubt; they had just shown him the fruit of love personally. It comes from love. People wont trust in a God whose goodness is in question. Here, as practically always in the Scripture, guilt is attached to the vice of murmuring. But Paul says that if his life is poured out as a drink offering on the altar, if it was upon the sacrifice and service of the Philippians faith, he rejoiced and shared that joy with them. So the word means, the opposite of moma. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. What he means by forgetting the things that are behind is, that we should not think of any progress we may have made in following Christ, that we should lose sight of everything calculated to give us self-satisfaction. How can he be a Christian and live like that? A great example of a blameless man is Daniel, who lived in Babylon and served in that pagan government. (Philippians 2 Commentary) James Draper - "Innocent" means unmixed, unadulterated. Therefore he intreated them to "do all things without murmurings and reasonings, that they might be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom they shone as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." The Christian life must be such that it can be offered like an unblemished sacrifice to God. Love does not calculate these costs and dangers, but goes calmly forward, come what will, trouble, scorn, or death. They do not say "I cannot resist a might like that," but, "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all." Let me think of myself as one that is serving Him (oh, how feebly and failingly!) I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be [not rejoicing here, but] the less sorrowful." Bengel hesitated; but Dr. Wells in this, as in many other instances, showed his sound judgment and quiet courage in rejecting the common text, and adopting that which has by far the best authorities. As it was a true though distressing part for Christ to judge religious evil, something akin could not be absent here; but at the same time it was by no means a prominent characteristic of Christ's task here below far from it. In the Philippian Church there were men whose aim was to gratify a selfish ambition; the aim of Jesus was to serve others, no matter what depths of self-renunciation that service might involve. The whole aim of Jesus is not his own glory but God's. It has nothing to do with a person's faith. Such "disputings" would certainly be in direct opposition to what Paul said earlier about being united in spirit or being one souled. Blameless has the nuance of moral integrity as seen by others. And so I don't always pass with an "A" on this particular phase. That ye may become children of God Cerchant outre mesure son proufit et vtilite particuliere, Le vice qui est en plusieurs quils sont pleins de complaints contre les autres, Thessalonians, First and Second, Theology of. Philippians 2:14 - Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E . In short, he was so living Christ, that it was only a question of Christ here, and of Christ there. One of the elements of heavenly happiness will be the calm and settled knowledge of all that we have been here below. He had proved long the power and the joy of Christ for every day, and for every circumstance of it. The word Paul uses for questionings is dialogismos ( G1261) which describes useless, and sometimes ill-natured, disputing and doubting. The Christian must not only be pure, but the purity of his life must be seen by all. Do all things without murmurings . The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely," nor was this all, but "supposing to add affliction to my bonds.". He always looks there in Philippians. . Did he want more for himself? But if not, what then? So he tells them that he always thus remembered them for their "fellowship with the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.". SMS Message: Haider, City will have played Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in their cup run this season. Furthermore, if the gospel is held firm, then Paul will have no occasion for shame or regret that his work at Philippi had failed. How truly he accounted himself less than the least of them! They joined with those who preached the truth and partook of their obloquy. There was victory to his faith by the grace of God. This is the very essence of the Christian life; and it affects us in time and in eternity. In the Greek of the sacred writers it has a special connection. There is but one title, there can be no sufficient ground but the name of Christ Christ known and confessed in the Holy Ghost; and where He is simply before us, the progress is most real, if not always easy and sensible. It is used, for instance, of wine or milk which is not mixed with water and of metal which has no alloy in it. We know very little detail about Timothy but the record of his service with Paul shows his fidelity. His being out of sight rather made the remembrance of his words and ways the more distinct, and imparted a chastened earnestness to their desires of pleasing the Lord. How does it fit in with Pauls command in Phil. Not that there were not difficulties; there were many. Who have had more palpable witness that service may become the object rather than Christ? Abram became Abraham when he received the promise of God ( Genesis 17:5). But God is working in my heart in that. In 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Paul says that God has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace. John 1:9 says, "There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." The word , translated here consolation, is in other places rendered exhortation, and is by several critics . It was also what he carried up to the moment of writing to the Philippians as ardently as ever. Epaphroditus was his fellow-servant, and indeed more than that "my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. One of the features of Paul's writing is his love of pictures from the life of the athlete. (b) The word translated innocent is akeraios ( G185) , and expresses what the Christian is in himself. Blameless and sincere; so some read it. Timothy's great use was that, whenever Paul wished for information from some Church or wished to send advice or encouragement or rebuke and could not go himself, it was he whom he sent. Thus we have to judge our sinful thoughts and take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. Does this content our hearts? Thus with salutations of love he closes this most characteristic and cheering even of Paul's epistles. Running denotes vehemence and vigour, and continual pressing forward; labour denotes constancy and close application. In the Old Testament, light comes from God (Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 60:20; Micah 7:8). The moment you look at what He is made, then it is to the glory of Him who thus exalted Him. Paul is making it easy for Epaphroditus to go home. It is the apostle giving us what his heart was occupied with when he could not go forth in the activities of work, and when it seemed as if he had nothing to do. Better not make them known to men; it is a dangerous snare. If for him life is a competition whose prizes he must win, he will always think of other human beings as enemies or at least as opponents who must be pushed out of the way. When God does not interpose, men are apt to allow reflections and reasonings. This is a passage which we must try fully to understand, because it has so much in it to awaken our minds to thought and our hearts to wonder. The word amemptos ("blameless"), found here, is used in regard to Zechariah and Elizabeth who were "blameless" in keeping the commandments of God (Luke 1:6) and to Paul in Philippians 3:6, regarding his former life in Judaism. In the midst of the discussion, suddenly a little child's voice arose: "Ambrose--bishop! Christ will present the church as His bride without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but rather, holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:27; Judges 1:24; Revelation 14:5). If youre in a bad situation (work, home, etc.) This, carefully remember, does not mean forgetting sins. Strange way of God! Hence it is that, although doctrine is sparse, if not almost excluded, nevertheless what little appears comes in as ancillary to the main purpose. Then we read how they grumbled because there was no food (16:2), so the Lord provided manna. When first he tasted it, he found it so sweet that he cared for none other. If Paul is thinking of the evangelistic efforts and influence of the Philippians on the surrounding evil world, then the rendering "holding forth" or "proffering" (NEB), that is, offering the word of life for acceptance, would be the best translation. "Complete Commentary on Philippians 2:14". "They are to become blameless and harmless. He was made in the likeness of men; he became like men. If they would complete his joy, let them complete their fellowship. At the sight of this person who laid his glory by for men and loved them to the extent of dying for them on a cross, men's hearts are melted and their resistance is broken down. There is a word in this passage which later had a famous usage. (ii) It became the official title of the Roman Emperors. "Yea," said he, "and I count all things but loss." admits that the external testimony is quite in its favour, though it is hard to see what he means by the internal evidence being in this case denied; for he suggests himself that may have been a correction proceeding from those who thought that the sense which the context requires, "the resurrection from the dead," could not be extracted from . But there is something more here. Do all things without murmurings . They will then be like lights shining in darkness. This is what he calls "salvation." This last is but a confirmation of the same truth. Fulfill my joy, that you be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. Then we also must be above reproach. "Work out your own salvation," Paul demands. "And as I pulled on to the Coast Highway, there was a couple there hitchhiking, and I felt rather selfish in this convertible all by myself and all, and here they are hitchhiking, and so I don't pick up hitchhikers as a rule, but I stopped and I picked them up. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me ( Philippians 2:18 ). It is always the power of Satan that is in view here. Doesn't he know who I am? Or it may be read imperatively: Among whom shine you as lights: compare Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men. He desires for them, not anxiety about the issue of it, but true gravity of spirit, because of feeling that it is a question between God and the devil, and that we have to do with that struggle in the most direct way. And the effect of their service to the Lord is the rejoicing in the heart of Paul, realizing that his ministry to them has been an effective ministry, for he has brought them into the attitude and the mind of Christ, who was willing to step from His glory into this sin-cursed world to hang on a cross. He must retrieve the glory of God in that very death which confessedly had brought the greatest shame on God outwardly. Their happy and bright state in Christ did not dim their fellowship with the gospel. But, in their grumbling against Moses and disputing with him (17:2), they were really grumbling and disputing against the Lord (16:8). He associates Timothy with himself, not merely, as elsewhere, himself apostle and Timothy in some other relation, but here conjointly "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ." So he brings before them another remarkable feature of it their fellowship; and this fellowship too with the gospel. But we believe that He is sovereign, that His plan for the ages will be fulfilled, that Christ will return in power and glory to reign on His throne. To this end we must look closely at some of its great Greek words. His readers continued blamelessness and steadfastness will be the basis of his boast, and he will not stand before the Judge on that final day with empty hands. For every man that has learned carefully to submit himself to God, without claiming anything for himself, will also conduct himself agreeably among men. "This shall turn," says he, "to my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Of the two, the converse would be more intelligible; but my conviction is that both the Lord and His apostle used similar and correct phraseology, as did the Holy Spirit elsewhere. 1. Thus the true bearing of the passage is, that from the first the eye of faith is fixed steadily on the end of the journey. And this ground is one which always brings in the strength of the Holy Ghost, as it is based on God's mighty work of redemption. That tremendous plunge Jesus was willing to take for you. "For it is God who works in you, enabling you both to will and to work according to his pleasure" (Philippians 2:13, translation C.E.). Had He not been God in His own being and title, it would have been no humiliation to be a servant, nor could it be indeed a question of taking such a place. Have rather that spirit which counts nothing as a right to be claimed, but all one has as gifts of grace to be freely used in this world, because one has Christ in view. However his outward schema ( G4976) might alter, he remained in essence divine. Now, this is very interesting statement of Paul, for he is sending Timothy because Timothy shares his heart, his burden. In Philippians 3:1-21 it is not the display of intrinsic affection in Christ, or the gracious dispositions of Christ in the saints. Bibliographical InformationHenry, Matthew. Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content Philippians 2:14 New International Version 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, Read full chapter Philippians 2:14 in all English translations Philippians 1 Philippians 3 New International Version (NIV) Thus the two things are repeated the past judgment and the present power: "and do count them but dung, that I may, win Christ." Is He really so far from any of those that call upon Him? New King James Version Update. Hence he at once begins, not with a doctrinal preparation after the introduction, but the introduction brings us as usual into the general spirit if not special object of the epistle. So being in the form of God, and not something to be grasped to be equal with God. I had to confess my grumbling spirit to the Lord and give thanks to Him for the blessings of a sit-down shower. No child is sinless. Thus then he writes, telling them, "I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." As Matthew Henry put it, Gods commands were given to be obeyed, not to be disputed (Matthew Henrys Commentary, on Phil. He took upon him the form of a servant; he took the very form of a slave. (ii) The power of Christian love should keep us in unity. These four words were the first creed that the Christian Church ever had. And I thoroughly discount as junk the messages that God wills that everybody should be healed.So Paul said. They have seen His power. It was the exact reverse in good of what the Galatians were in evil, for they had been cordial and bright when the apostle was with them; but directly his back was turned, their hearts were alienated. It was not that he wanted more. It is his state and experience every day, as to which his hope was that in nothing he should be ashamed; "but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ. Such people pervert the right ways of God (Acts 13:10; Acts 20:30). This greatly adorns our profession, and shows we serve a good Master, whose service is freedom and whose work is its own reward. It is impossible to supply the flavour of these words in translation. When the state or kind of resurrection is meant to be expressed, the anarthrous form is requisite, as we see in verse 24 of this very chapter, and regularly so. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. Differences there may be among the saints, and especially when we come to the question of experience. It describes the low, threatening, discontented muttering of a mob who distrust their leaders and are on the verge of an uprising. The question is at once settled as a matter of faith. There is great reason to think that the arose from those who thought it necessary to the sense, and did not see that it could be fetched from the in . Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing (NASB: Lockman) Greek: panta poieite . There is a dramatic story behind this. Now, you may not want to make that confession now. God in his mercy spared the life of Epaphroditus and so spared Paul yet more sorrow. I can give it a try. In Exodus 15 we read about the song of victory that the people sang after God had delivered the people from Egyptian slavery. Television cameras were focused on her and reporters began interviewing her. 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. "We are going to strive with you to see who can have the largest attendance." Then they ran out of water again, and grumbled again, and the Lord again provided water (17:3). When we grumble, whether about a church leader we dont like or about some trial were going through, were really saying, God, youre not doing a very good job of directing my life. By a cheerful obedience to the commands of God (Philippians 2:14; Philippians 2:14): "Do all things, do your duty in every branch of it, without murmurings. No; but "because that ye had heard that he had been sick." Living in the light of the day of Christ means that we must daily submit ourselves in every situation to a sovereign God. all the dead, as a class. But when we hold forth to them the word of life, God can use it to raise them from the dead, to give them eternal life. They must obey Gods will as Christ did, and they will be able to do this because God works within them (12-13). Paul warns them of their sins by reminding them of Israels sins against God (Numbers 11:1-6; Numbers 14:1-4; Numbers 20:2; Numbers 21:4-5). What they did seems a much more proper thing, in my judgment, for a woman. "The phrase in vain (which is used only by Paul in the New Testament) is found in the papyri as describing water running to waste" (Loh and Nida 72). He in truth had stood in the firing-line. To dispute means to challenge in a selfish rather than submissive spirit. Christian love is that unconquered good-will which never knows bitterness and never seeks anything but the good of others. Why endure hardship, why have people malign you, why wear yourself out serving Christ? Because the day of Christ is coming, when He will render His rewards to every person. Such is the force of the exhortation. "Jesus" is His own name, His personal name. Him therefore I hope to send [him] presently [soon], so soon as I shall see how it will go with me ( Philippians 2:22-23 ). 2:15, [Revell], p. 734). Now the saint that has Christ Himself before him looks abroad with desires according to the activity of divine love. She was the stores millionth customer. 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