The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 28

V'f'r~. 3-11.-The apostle's inlM"cession and assurance. H:win<Y saluted a well. or~a11izcd Church with its bishops aud deacons, Paul proceeds to c:press his thankR- µidn&"s aod his inforc~ssi~ns~ l<'rom_ this Church at Philippi alone had he received su1•plies. By the hand ot Epaphrod11us they had forwarded their love-tokeus to the i111)'risoned apostle, and he rejoiced in the sympathy this showed with the furtherance oC the gosrel. Accordingly he proceeds to prayer, and pours out his significant inter- el's~ions for these saints. Aud here let us notice- I. HIS l~"TERCF:SSION FOR THEIR FELLOWSHIP IN TRE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL, (1 ers. 4, 5, Rel"ised Version.) The intercession of the apostle was joyful. Our prayers ~hould be less complaints than jubilations. It must have been deli<Yhtful for Paul to dwell upon the missionary spirit which the saints at Philippi exhibit~, and to intercede for its increase. As the firstfruits of the European mission, they entered most heartily into Paul's aspirations aud did all they could to strengthen his hands. It was a missionary Church which he had established at Philippi. And after all, is not this the prime purpose which should animate every Church? A congregation is nothing if not missionary. It must die of paralysis if it is not seeking to extend the gospel. What we need is to be filled with something like the enthusfasm of the apostles in the 1iropaga- tion of the faith. IJ. PAUL'S D."'TEBOESSION WAS BACKED UP BY THE ASSURANCE THAT Goo WOULD ENABLE THEM TO PERSl!:VEBE IN THEIR BLESSED POLICY. (Ver. 6.) The relation of asslln!.n.ce t.o intercession is one of great interest as well as importance. A certain and sure hope makes prayer joyful and prevailing. Suppose that Paul had been uncertain about tile perseverance of the Philippians in the policy of evangelization, how different must his intercessions have been! Ilut because he was certain of it, he prayed prevailingly. Dut we must observe the ground of his assurance. The " good work " begun ip. them is evidently the rui~sionary spiriL For every one that receives the gospel is led instinctively to seek to propagate the gospel. The absence of the missionary spirit is proof positive that the gospel has only been nominally received. Well, the apostle argues that when God begins a work, he mean;:; to finish it. Incompleteness is but a promise in any Divine work of subsequent perfection. God's plans nre not so poorly formed as to fail. Until the day of Jesus Christ, therefore, a spiritual work bogun in rnen's hearts mll be carried on. 1'he poetess strikes the true note when she ends her l-'Dem on "Incompleteness" with the words- " Nur dare to blame God's gifts for incompleteu8118; Iu that want their beauty lies; they roll Towards some in.finite depth of love anJ swe:ctuess, Dea.riug onwards mau's reluctanL euul." (Procter's 'Legends and Lyrics.') The persernrance of the saints, therefore, in their large-hearted policy rests upon God'd al,ility to make them persevere. Left tu tl1emsel 1·es, they could not stand or persevere e.n hour; but, helped by God, they continue steadfabt, immovable, always abouuding in the work of the Lord. III. THEin SYA1PATBY WITH THE APOSTLE BAD PROVED Alm WAS PROVINO A MEANS oF GRACE. (V ers. 7, 8.) Detween 1:'aul an~ the Philippians there w~s the 1!105t t_hor?ugh sympathy. They sorrowed over his impnsonment, the,r sy"?~at~1zed ,~1th ~1m ID _all J,is s: ru;:~les e.nd apologies for the gospel. Th~ he~r.ts rn Ph1hpp1 beat ID umson with the £Teat Leart in Rome. And this secured their sp1r1tual progress. It was a means of «ra~. Paul's experience was reproduced in them. Sympathy was the m<•aus of sanc- tification. It is so always. ,vhen we learn to "weep with those that weep" and to "rejoice with those that do nj~ice," we get a ~•ider experience than is p<?Ssible with the self-ce:, Lrcd and self-con tamed. Progress 1n all the elemeuts of s1,ir1tu:il power must result. IV. l'AUL PRAYS STILL FURTHER FOR TJIEm BYMMETilY OF CnnISTIAN CHARACTEil. (\'m. 8, 10.) His desire is that they may gr~w _symwet:ically. Love i~ to _ab?un~ in kn,wledgc ar,cl iu juJ;;mcul; that is to i;ay, 1t 1s to be rntc(l1gent and d1_scnm1Da!1ng, t;u that they may test the thin~s that are excellent, and be sincere and without ofiencc till tl.c day cf Jesus Ci,risl. '1'11e symmetry of Christian character i~ a most importaut Let of , ·· l•' rieuce. '.!'he ~races do not manife8t monstrosities. '!'hey grow harmoniously. on. r. 1-30.] THE EPISTLE TO THF.: PHILJPPIAN8.