Chapters 1, 2.
In saluting the Philippian saints the apostle associates Timothy with himself as “bondmen of Christ Jesus,” to them “all,” with overseers and deacons (1:1, 2). For the assembly there was not immature like that in Corinth; it possessed those local charges for which experience provided these that apostolic authority set over them in due time. But the absence of the apostle, a prisoner in Rome and object of their loving remembrance, gave occasion to much that is characteristic in it for the Christian soon to lack that care altogether. No Epistle breathes so distinctively of confidence in God and joy in all his remembrance of them; and this, not founded on the enriching powers of the Spirit as to the Corinthians, nor on the heavenly counsels of God as to the Ephesians, nor on the fullness of the Head as to the Colossians, nor yet on the broad and deep foundations of the gospel as to the Romans. This surveys and reciprocates what Christ is for every day’s communion, conduct, worship, and service. It is therefore in reality, and in all forms, and in the highest sense, christian experience from first to last. Their state warranted, as it called forth, the full opening of his heart to them.
In verses 3-11 he thanks his God because of their uninterrupted fellowship with the gospel, assured that He Who began a good work in them will complete it till Jesus Christ’s day. It was right for him to think thus as to them all because they had him in their hearts. Both in his bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, were they not all partakers in his grace? For God was his witness how he longed after them all in the bowels of Christ Jesus. And he prayed that their love might abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, unto their proving the things that are excellent, that they might be pure and without a stumble for Christ’s day, being filled with fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ unto God’s glory and praise. He looked, for the due result of Christ and His work in them, not merely that they should be kept from inconsistency and failure.
Then from verse 12 to the end of the chapter he speaks of his bonds and how God had thereon wrought in His good way, as man in his evil. He would have them know that his matters, sad as they looked, had come rather for furtherance of the gospel; so that his bonds became manifest in Christ in the whole prætorium and to all the rest. Nor was this all. For the most of the brethren trusting in the Lord by his bonds, dared more abundantly to speak the word without fear. It was not without alloy. Some indeed also preached Christ for envy and strife, and some too for goodwill: these of love, knowing that he was set for the defense of the gospel, but those out of faction announced the Christ, not purely, thinking to arouse affliction for his bonds. But grace prevailed.
“What then? Notwithstanding [or, Only that], in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is announced, and in this I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn to me for salvation through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but in all boldness, as always, now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die gain; but if to live in flesh [is mine], this [is] to me worthwhile. And what I shall choose I know not. But I am pressed by the two, having a desire for departure and being with Christ, for [it is] very much better; but to remain in the flesh [is] more necessary for your sake. And having this confidence I know that I shall, abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith, that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence again with you” (vers. 18-26).
How clearly faith by grace made him, bondman though he was, master of the situation! His desire drew him away to Christ; the need of the saints detained him. God gave him, as it were, the decision for their sake. “Only behave worthily of the gospel of Christ, that, whether coming and seeing you or absent, I may hear of your affairs that ye stand in one spirit, with one soul striving together with the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by the adversaries; which is to them evidence of destruction but to you of salvation, and this from God, because to you was granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him, having the same conflict as ye saw in me and now hear of in me.” Living the gospel, living worthily of it, was his earnest desire for them, yea, suffering for Christ.
Chapter 2 Zeal was not wanting in Philippi, but does it not endanger difference, lowliness and love? Where is the corrective but in Christ? “If then any comfort [be] in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye have the same mind, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing, nothing in faction or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind esteeming one another better than themselves, regarding not each his own things, but each those of others” (vers. 1-4) This brings in the image of Christ. “For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who subsisting in God’s form did not count it an object for seizing to be on equality with God, but emptied himself, taking a bondman’s form, having come in likeness of men, and, when found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death of the cross. Wherefore also God highly exalted him and granted him the name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow of heavenly [beings] and earthly and infernal, and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord to God the Father’s glory” (vers. 5-11).
But the Philippians were in contrast to the Galatians (Gal. 4:1818But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. (Galatians 4:18)), and obeyed not as in his presence only, but now much more in his absence. They are exhorted accordingly to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, now that they had not the apostle’s care; for it is God that was working in them both the willing and the working for His good pleasure. What source of confidence so great, along with distrust of self! Murmurs and disputes were to be far from them that they might be blameless and simple, God’s children irreproachable in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they appeared as lights in the world, holding forth life’s word for a boast to the apostle against Christ’s day that he ran not nor labored in vain. Again he refers to death before him, but here as a libation poured on the sacrifice and ministration of their faith to his joy, and theirs also. Yet he hoped in the Lord to send Timothy to them, as he graciously felt for his refreshment by knowing how they got on; for only he shared Paul’s care genuinely. Alas! even then all were seeking their own things, not those of Jesus Christ. They knew Timothy’s service with Paul in the gospel work. Whatever the cost to himself, he would send one so dear to him and them, when he could report matters. Meanwhile he sent Epaphroditus, his tried fellow-worker and fellow-soldier (what links of honor!), but their messenger and minister to his need (what counion O, not only as longing after them all, but distressed at their hearing of his sickness. So he was, adds the apostle, nigh to death; but God had mercy not on him only, but on Paul also, that he might not have sorrow on sorrow. Yet him he had sent, that they seeing him might rejoice, and himself be the less sorrowful. What unselfish love all round, the mind that was in Christ Jesus! Him therefore they were to receive in the Lord with all joy, and to hold such in honor; because for the work’s sake (whether Christ, Lord, or God, being in question) he came nigh to death, risking his life to supply what lacked in their service toward Paul (vers. 12-30). Truly this is Christian experience!