1. To Xombv, Furthermore) a phrase used in continuing a dis course, 1 Thess. iv. 1. So \oivbv and rot Xo/<roD are used. — Vd aura, the same things) concerning joy. \Tlie proper principle on which to rest our rejoicing is presently presented, nameli/, to be in communion with Christ. — V. g.] — ova oxvypov, is not trouble some) For it is pleasant for a person wrho feels joy to write : rejoice. The contrary is found at Gal. vi. 17. — vpTv ds
1 Xetipere &v Kvpiu, rejoice in the Lord) dost thou thyself rejoice with all diligence (earnestness) and constancy in the Lord Jesus Christ ? ch. iv. 4. -V.g.
but for you it is safe) Spiritual joy produces the best safety against errors, especially Jewish errors, ver. 2.
2. BXs^srg, see) A vehement Anaphora,1 See, and you will avoid ; a metonymy of the antecedent for the consequent.2 The antithesis is ffjunrefa, observe, mark,3 ver. 17 ; for ver. 17 returns to this topic, wonderfully tempered by reproof and exhortation. — roug xvvag, the dogs) Undoubtedly he used this appellation often in their presence, ver. 18, and he now brought it to the recollection of the Philip- plans ; and hence they would more easily understand it than we. Comp. 2 Thess. ii. 5. The three members of the following verse correspond, by a retrograde gradation (descending climax), to the three clauses of this verse ; so that the dogs are the false apostles and carnal men, who do not trust in Christ, but in the flesh, and are slaves to foul lusts [utter strangers to true holiness, although exulting in the name of Jews. — V. g.], ver. 19. So the term dogs is applied to ej38e\vyfjt,'evois, those to be abominated, Rev. xxii. 15 ; comp. Rev. xxi. 8 ; or in other words, the abominable, impure (jS&Xuxro/, f^i^ia/^svGn;), Tit. i. 16, 15, strangers to holiness, Matt. vii. 6 ; quite different from Paul, living and dying ; for in life they abound to overflowing in the vices of dogs, in filthiness, unchastity, snarling, 2 Pet. ii. 22 ; Deut. xxiii. 19 (18) ; Ps. lix. 7, 16 ; and they are most of all the ene mies of the cross of Christ, ver. 18 ; comp. Ps. xxii. 17, 21 : and in death they are dead dogs (by which proverb something of the vilest sort is denoted) : comp. ver. 19. That saying is appli cable to these, which is commonly used, Take care of the dog.4 The Jews considered the Gentiles as dogs ; see at Matt. xv. 26 ; they are now called dogs, who are unwilling to be the Israel of God. — rovg Kuxoug spyarac, evil workers) who do not serve God ; comp. 2 Cor. xi. 13. — r^v Kararo^v, the concision) A. Parano- masia [See Append.] ; for he claims for Christians the glorious
1 Repetition of the same word at the beginnings of several clauses. — ED.
2 See, instead of avoid, which is its consequence. — ED.
3 So as to follow ; not as here, See so as to avoid. — ED.
4 Et<Aa/3o£ raj* KVVU., cave canem, used to be written near the door of ancient houses to guard strangers against the dog kept in the ostium or janua. At Pompeii, " in the house of the tragic poet," there is wrought in the Mosaic pavement, " Cave canem," and the figure of a fierce dog. See Gell's Pomp.— ED.