23. | am in a strait betwixt two (cuvéyouat &x Ttav Sv0). See on 2 Cor. v. 14. The picture is that of a man pressed on both sides. Lit., Zam held together, so that 1 cannot incline
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either way. Betwixt two, lit., from the two. The pressure comes from both sides. Note the article, the two, the two con- siderations just mentioned, departing or abiding in the flesh.
Having adesire. Lit., the desire: my desire, as expressed in ver. 21, for death with its gain.
To depart (avadica:). The verb means originally to wnioose, undo again. So of Penelope’s web: “During the night she undid it” (Homer, “ Odyssey,” ii., 105). Of loosing a ship from her moorings: of breaking up a camp. So 2 Mace. ix. 1. Antiochus, having entered Persepolis, and having attempted to rob the temple and to hold the city, was put to flight by the inhabitants, and broke up (dvadedvKws) and came away with dishonor. We have the same figure in popular usage of one who changes his residence: “ He broke up at Chicago and re- moved to New York.” Paul’s metaphor here is the military one, to break camp. Compare 2 Cor. v. 1, where the metaphor is the striking of a tent. Some prefer the nautical image, cast- ing off from shore; but Paul’s circumstances naturally sug- gested military figures; and, what is somewhat strange in the case of one so familiar with the sea, nautical metaphors are rare in his writings. There is one at 1 Tim. i. 19, of those “ who concerning the faith have made shipwreck ;” at Eph. iv. 14, “tossed as by waves, and borne about by every wind.” KuPep- vncers governments, 1 Cor. xii. 28 (see note), is from xuBepvdw to steer.
To be with Christ. Compare 2 Cor. vy. 6, 8; Acts vii. 59 ; 1 Thess. iv. 14, 17.
Which is far better (7roAA@ paddov Kpeiccov). Lit., much more better. For similar cumulative expressions, see on 2 Cor. iv. 17. The best texts insert yap for. So Rev., for tt 2s very Jar better.
24. To abide in the flesh (évipévew év Th capxl). See on Col. i. 23. To abide by the flesh. Compare Rom. vi. 1; xi. 22, 23.
25. Furtherance. See on ver. 12.
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Of faith. Rev., in the faith. To be connected with both furtherance and joy. For promoting your faith and your joy in believing. For joy of faith, compare Rom. xv. 13.
26. Rejoicing (cavynua). The matter of rejoicing, wrought through your faith.
In Christ Jesus for me (ev Xpiot@ “Incod év éeuol). Con- strue a Christ Jesus with may abound, not with rejoicing. Christ is conceived as the element in which the matter of re- joicing grows and abounds. Sor me, better, as Rev., 7m me. The conjunction of the two phrases in Christ, in me, is some- what confusing. Paul’s presence is the immediate cause of their christian joy; hence zn me ; but their rejoicing in Paul is in Christ—a joy evolved within the sphere of life in Christ, and peculiar to those only to whom to live is Christ.
Coming (zapovaias). Lev., better, presence. 27. Only. This one thing I urge as the only thing needful.
Let your conversation be (zodutevecde). Only here in Paul’s writings, and elsewhere only Acts xxiii. 1. The verb means @o be a citrzen. Lit., Be citizens worthily of the Gospel. Rev., Let your manner of life be. Margin, Behave as citizens. Compare Eph. iii. 19, and see on ch. iii. 20. The exhortation contemplates the Philippians as members of the christian com- monwealth. The figure would be naturally suggested to Paul by his residence in Rome, and would appeal to the Philippians as a Roman colony, which was a reproduction of the parent commonwealth on a smaller scale.