The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 35

sift you as whent: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." And the very foct that he has begun a good work in us, apart from any word of promise, may be taken. as a pledg_e that he will see to it being completerl. Observe the nexus of our experience. It IS when ~e have experiencerl something of the good work in us that we can assuro o~rselves m God that he will complete it. We have, therefore, in the first place, to satisfy ourselves a.bout the reality of our experience. Are there the si,mH of a good work begun in our hearts? Is there the seeking a.fter God for the blessi;'!;? Is there the endeavour to do the Divine will? If we cannot satisfy ourselves, we aM not beyond hope while we can say- ,. Love of God, so pare and eha.ngele98: Blood of Christ, so rich and free ; Grace of God, so strong and boundless, Magnify them all in me- Even me." (5) The tlme toward which we look for the completion of the work. He says not "day of our death;" for, though it is practically that to each of us, yet that signifies nothing as to the completion of tbe work. But he says "day of Jesus Christ," because the work is to be completed in connection with the saving power of Christ upon us; and not only so, but, more definitely, in connection with the full manifestation of the saving power of Christ upon us. For, as is said in Colossians, "When Christ who is our Life shall be manifested [as he is not now manifested], then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory." 2. Its justification. (1) Love resting on participation. "Even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inas- much as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace." It was right for him to cherish a confident hope regarding one and all of them, bec.'\use he felt the warmest love toward them. He uses a strong expression-he had them in his heart. "Open my heart," says R. Browning, "and you will see graven on it, 'Italy.'" So on the opened heart of the apostle to this hour in heaven may be seen graven on it, among other names, "Philippi." Grace operated in them as it did in him. In his bonds they helped him by their sympathy with him. In his exertions for the gospel they also helped him. When he stood up in defence of the gospel, before heathen magistrates and unbelieving Jews, he was emboldened by the thought of their unwavering confidence in him. And when he was engaged in confirma- tion of the gospel by his teaching among those who ea.me under his influence, he was indebted to them for what he could point to in them of the power of the gospel, aud especially for their spontaneously contributing to his support. They were t.hus in a. remarkable manner partners with him in grace. And as he hoped for himself, so as confidently did he hope for them, that there would be a completion of the good work begun. (2) Love going out in longing. "For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus." Love longs for its object. He could call God to witness that he longed eagerly after one and all of them. This was not merely a longing to be present with them, but a longing after communion with them in the Spirit in their increasing approximation to Christ. For he longed after them in sympathy with Christ. He notes a wonderful identity; it was as though Christ were yearning in him. Christ, in Paul, had a yearning after the Philippiau community, though it was not conspicuous for its numbers, and had only been ten years in existence. Does he not yearn yet after Christian societies, however humble, and through Christian hearts? III. PETITION, 1. For increase of love, associated with knowledge and discernment. "And this I pray, that your love may abounu yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment." He has already given them credit for love in its manifosta.tions. He here assumes that their love abounded. Still, he wished higher things for them in love. Especially did ho wish to see it associated with knowledge a~d discernme11t. ~he former points more to fulness of contents; the latter more to qmckuess of percept:on. 'l'ho former is used generally; tho latter distributively-all discernment, i.e. every act of the spiritual sense, or its application to every occasion. yre need not wonder that love in order to be perfcctcrl, needs to be brought under the influence of truth. Love iR r;9ule&ted by truth. In proportiog to its force it is apt to be err,1tic. We neetl  30 THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. [011. ,. 1-30.