The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 38

cluss mcnlioncd hc_re is to be identified with the majority previously mentioned. They were Im brct,h~n rn the Lo~d, Rnd they were brotherly toward him. 'l'heir feeling was that of good ,~tll. An~, lovmg PRul and syi:npathi~ing with him in his strivings, they preached Christ. Takmg the two cl&SSee m AD inverted order of the latter he now ~)-S t~at they preached 9h~ist of love. As love is t~e great ru~ving cause in God, so 1t was m ~h_cm as und_er his mfluence. _Love worked 1n them, along with the knowledge of the position for which Paul was destined. He was set for the defence of the gospel. He was appointed to make a stand against worldly powers, to bear the brunt of their ?Pposi~ion t.o Chiist. It was a perilous position, requiring extraordinary courage, and It~ pcnlousness was not yet past; but they were willing to snbscrve him in it in cheer- inic his heart by the preachin5: of Christ. Turning now to the first class h~ declares that tbeir feeling was a spirit of faction, such as rules only in unregen~rate hearts. They did not preach Christ sincerely, i.e. from love for him, or desire to extend the knowledge of bis Na.me. Bnt what moved them to preach Christ, or rather-for another word is now used with a slight change in meaning-to make Christ fully known, was the thought (not knowledge, a.sin the previous clause, and the apostle seems to indicate that it_ was nothing more than a thought) that it would never be realized-the thought of raismg up affliction for him in his bonds, apparently by undermining bis influence and forming an antagonistic party. 4. Fe,d,ings of the apostle in view of what has been stated. (1) So far as Ghrist was concerned. "What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed ; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." Had the persons last referred to put forward Juda.ism, then he would have been bonnd t.o have opposed t.o it the true gospel. But as they concealed their real purpose, viz. to connterwork Paul under the cloak of proclaiming Christ, he was not disposed to join issue with them. Nay, in the fact that) however bad their motive, the knowledge of Christ was by them extended, be found cause for rejoicing. And in the extended knowledge of Christ, however brought a.bout, be was determined to rejoice. Let all false and true alike go on proclaiming Christ; it would rejoice his heart. (2) .As far a.s Ju was personally «meemed. (a) ,&SSU,rance that it would result in good to him. "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." The apostle seems to have in view the whole state of matt.en; described. His imprisonment is in the background, and in the fore- ground this on which he has been dwelling, that there were around him in his imprison- ment ma.ny who preached Christ from friendly feelings toward him, but some also who made the preaching of Christ only a cloak for designs against him. He knew-bis tone is that of certainty-that this would turn differently from what it was in pa.rt intended to do, to his highest good. But they must give him their prayers; He needed them in the critic:J.l position in which he was placed. Yes, God, who knew a.11 the movements that affected him, and could counterwork all the designs of- his enemie~, must extend his help. He must especially, through their prayers for this, supply the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Then would he be able to act, even as Christ acted, so that all that happened to him would turn-though that might not be its n&ture-to bis good. (b) Hopefulness as to his accomplishing his destiny. "According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing tihall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death." God bad wrouaht for him in the past, and so be was not without hope for the future. Nay he had an ~mest expectation and hope. His eye, tiiken off everything else, was strained 'toward this, that in nothing he should be put to shame, in not exhibiting the proper spirit or carrying out his proper destiny. The proper spirit for his circum- stances was boldness. God had always enabled him to be bold in the past; he would not allow him to be faint-hearted now, when he was looking forward to his trial. And his proper destiny as he conceived it, was this, that Christ should btl magnified in bis body, whether tW:t body should be preserved alive for the future service of the Master, or whether it should be given up in martyrdom. Thus thro1;1gh one instrument&lity viz. Paul's imprisonment, it was true, that God wrought various ends. Let us, even when we do not see what be is doing, trust in him as all-wise. "What I do tholl knowest nut now, but thou shalt know hereafter." The forces of evil may seem to bold the Church in imprisonment; but let us trust that from the imprisoned Church, m&de tl, ki·l the cruel hand of worldliness and scepticism, there shall go forth t\ wider, more OH. I, 1-30.) 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 33