Matthew Henry Commentary Philippians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Philippians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Philippians 2
"If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others." — Philippians 2:1-4 (ASV)
Here are further exhortations to Christian duties: to like-mindedness and lowliness of mind, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the hallmark of his family.
Several motives for brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate to one another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded.
Christ came to humble us; let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults and quick to observe our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others.
We must kindly care for others, but not be busybodies in other people's affairs. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed without lowliness of mind.
"Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven and [things] on earth and [things] under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." — Philippians 2:5-11 (ASV)
The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life if we are to have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and his human nature. Who, being in the form of God, partaking of the Divine nature as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God (John 1:1), did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, and to receive Divine worship from men.
His human nature: in this, he became like us in all things except sin. So low, of his own will, he stooped from the glory he had with the Father before the world was. Christ's two states, of humiliation and exaltation, are noted. Christ not only took upon himself the likeness and fashion, or form, of a man, but of one in a low state; not appearing in splendor.
His whole life was a life of poverty and suffering. But the lowest step was his dying the death of the cross, the death of a malefactor and a slave; exposed to public hatred and scorn. The exaltation was of Christ's human nature, in union with the Divine. At the name of Jesus, not the mere sound of the word but the authority of Jesus, all should pay solemn homage.
It is to the glory of God the Father to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will that all men should honor the Son as they honor the Father (John 5:23). Here we see such motives for self-denying love as nothing else can supply. Do we, in this way, love and obey the Son of God?
"So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and questionings: that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain. Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all: and in the same manner do ye also joy, and rejoice with me." — Philippians 2:12-18 (ASV)
We must be diligent in using all the means that lead to our salvation, persevering in this to the end. We must exercise great care, so that, with all our advantages, we do not fall short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labor will not be in vain; yet we must still depend on the grace of God.
The working of God's grace in us quickens and engages our efforts. God's goodwill toward us is the cause of His good work in us. Do your duty without grumbling. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it.
Be peaceable; give no just cause for offense. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the lighthouse warns sailors to avoid rocks and directs their course into the harbor.
Let us try to shine in this way. The gospel is the word of life; it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigor, continual pressing forward; laboring, denotes constancy and close application. It is the will of God that believers should rejoice greatly; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers have great reason to rejoice with them (Philippians 2:19–30).
"But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a child [serveth] a father, [so] he served with me in furtherance of the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send forthwith, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me: but I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come shortly. But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick: for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor: because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me." — Philippians 2:19-30 (ASV)
It is best for us when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretense only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not do so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good.
Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account.
It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer should be received with great thankfulness and joy.
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