CuHaApTeR III.—Vv. 1-3. A SALUTA- TION CHANGED INTO A WARNING.—Vert. I. τὸ λοιπόν. Probably A.V. rightly trans-
448
a Rom. xii. 11 (but no exact
ο, exx. in Provv.).
b No relevant parallel. d Matt. vii. 6; Rev. xxii. 15.
ς Partly parallel are 1 Cor. i. 26, x. 18; 2 Cor. x. 7. « See note i/r., and οἵ. Matt. ix. 37; Luke xiii. 27; 2 Tim. ii. 15.
III. 1. ΤΟ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί μου, χαίρετε ἐν Κυρίῳ. τὰ αὐτὰ } αι. γράφειν ὑμῖν, ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐκ "ὀκνηρόν, ὑμῖν δὲ " ἀσφαλές.2 2. " βλέ- many πετε τοὺς “κύνας, βλέπετε τοὺς κακοὺς "ἐργάτας, βλέπετε τὴν
Also Mark xiii. 23.
1 σαντα N*FGP (cop. ista). Στο ασφαλες Α΄ Vid. 23, 31, 37, 73, 238, Procop.
lates “finally” (summing up all his exhortations to them). It must, how- ever, be remembered that in late Greek λοιπόν had come to mean scarcely more than οὖν. Even in Plato, Gorg., 458 Ὁ, there is something very closely approach- ing this usage. oe Matt. xxvi. 45 (and onit Aars in Zw. Th., xxxviii., 3, pp. 378- 383), Acts xxvii. 20 (where Blass translates by jam), 2 Tim. iv. 8. For instances in Epictetus see Class. Review, iii., p. 71. It is used regularly in this sense in Modern Greek. (Cf. also Schmid, Atticis- mus, iii., p. 135-)—xalpere. This is the impression he wishes to leave upon them. Cf. chap. ii. 18, iv. 4.--τὰ αὐτά. Alf., Ws., P. W. Schmidt and others refer this to his injunctions concerning joy. But that explanation does not seem to accord with the rest of the verse. ‘To goon writing the same thing is not irksome tedious) to me, while for you it is safe.” n what cogent sense would it be safe to urge them to rejoice? But an excellent meaning is found when we connect the words with the warning that follows. That warning is expressly given for their safety. Nothing is more probable than that Paul had frequent correspondence with the Philippians. He must, for in- stance, have ked them for their various gifts. In all likelihood, then, τὰ av. refers to warnings formerly addressed to them against dangerous teachers apt to lead them astray. He prepares the way for a similar utterance here by a certain tone of apology. Perhaps the slight friction in the Philippian Church, which is hinted at here and there, may have been connected with tendencies in the direction of Judaising. If a con- nexion is necessary between χαίρετε and the subsequent warnings (which is very doubtful in an informal letter like this), it is obvious that the formation of parties (Jewish and heathen-Christian) would, above all things, mar the spirit of Chris- tian joy. [Clemen (Einheitlichk., pp. 139-140) cuts the knot by deriving the latter half of ver. 1 from the redactor.
The whole section from iii. 2 to iv. 3 belongs to an old letter to the Philippians. Chap. iv. 4 is the continuation of chap. iii. τα. Franke, on the occurrence ofthis strong warning towards the close of the letter, well compares the parallel case of Luther who, in prospect of death, could not depart without wishing for his fol- lowers not only the blessing of God but also hatred of the Pope (Myr.,° p. 13). Ver.2. It is difficult to meget sl how anyone could find three different classes in these words (¢.g., Ws., who divides them into (a) unconverted heathens, (δ) self-seeking Christian teachers, (c) un- believing Jews. See also his remarks in A, F. Th., i., 2, pp. 389-391). The words are a precise parallel to Paul's denuncia- tions of Judaising teachers in Galatians and 2 Corinthians. Cf. Gal. i. 7, 9, v. 12, 2 Cor. xi. 13, ii. 17. The istent and malicious opposition which they main- tained against him sufficiently accounts for the fiery vehemence of his language. To surrender to their teaching was really to renounce the most precious gift of the Gospel, namely, “the glorious li of the sons of God". For, in Paul’s view, he who possesses the Spirit is raised above all law. Cf. 2 Cor. iii. 17, and see Gunkel, Wirkungen®, etc., pp. 96- 98.---βλέπετε. Thrice repeated in the intense energy of his invective. Liter- ally = ‘“‘leok at" them, in the sense of “beware of’ them. It is not so used in classical Greek. Apparently some such significance as this is found in 2 Chron. x. 16, βλέπε τὸν οἶκόν σον, Δανείδ. Fre- quent in N.T. (see Blass, Gram., p. 87,1.