The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 41

ono to decline pro~cnt duty, and to grasp at the prir.e without having run the pr,,- scribcd race, 'Ylnle he ~as even desirous to embrace the gain of dying, he could nGt refuse the obedience of hfe. Out of the confidence that he had work to do rose tho knowledge that he would abide with the Philippians, and still abide with them. The decisiveness with which he thus speaks of abiding shows that he contemplated a successful termination to his trial. He would abide after the great crisis was past. We are not to understand him speaking with prophetic certainty. He knew that the Ephesians would see his face no more when he parted with them at Miletns; he knew that he would abide for the sake of the Philippians. There is reason to think that he was mistaken in the first case, and that be was right in the second case. In both cases he simply proceeded on his own reasonings. In the former case it was anticipated evil at Jerusalem which weighed with him. In the latter case it was the consideration of work to be done especially among the Philippians. Twofold object contemplated in his continuance. (1) On his part. "For your progress and joy in the faith." (a) Progress in the faith. He had rendered them assistance in the past. He had introduced them into the faith of the gospel. He had, by visits to them and agents sent to them, helped them forward in the faith. He here intimates to them that it would be his object, when released from imprisonment, of which he was confident, to pay them a. visit, and to present Christ so that their faith would become more enlightened, more lively, more steadfast. (b) Joy in the faith. This is the blessed result of believing. "The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." If we believe that God goes out toward us in infinite love, that in Christ he is favourable to us as sinners, and has la.id up for us everlasting happiness, then there is, in what we believe, foundation for a joy which should be ecstatic. (2) On their part. "That your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again." He wanted for them increased matter of glorying, within Christ a.s its sphere and therefore of a holy nature, in him as its seat, and by his presence with them again. It would be an abundant cause for glorying to see him after his release from imprisonment, after they had prayed for his release, and in expectation of the benefit to be derived from a. visit in such circumstances. JI!, HE EXHORTS THEM TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES AS CHRISTIAN CITIZENS. 1. Generally. "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." The leading word in the original means," perform your duties as citizens," and the further thought is that we are to perform our duties in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ which has made us members of so great a commonwealth. .And it need not be wondered at that the apostle should adopt the form of expression, writing from the Roman metropolis to a city which was invested with the Roman franchise. The citi- zens of Philippi could appreciate the force of an appeal founded upon their possession of the political franchise. It was this ground which they took up against Paul and Silas: "These men set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive or to observe, being Romans." The apostle here proceeds upon their being members of a greater com- monwealth than the Roman. It was a commonwealth presided over by a greater than Cresar, even the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a commonwealth where members were admitted to greater privileges than Rome could bestow, viz. sonship with right of access to God, right of Divine protection, right of Divine direction, right of Divine strengthening, and right of dwelling with God at last. Let them perform their duties as citizens, then, in a manner worthy of the gospel which had admitted them to so great privileges. 2. Their performance of their duties as Christian citizens to be inde- pendent of his presence with them. "That, whether I come and see you or be absent, l may hear of your state." '!'his brings out the force of the foregoing" only." Their performance of their duties was not to be dependent on his presence :with them. B:e proceeds upon the supposition of his being released. When released, it would be his endeavour to come and see them. But it was possiblo that Providence might direct his steps elsewhere. And even though he came and saw them, it could only be for a time. He could not, in justice to others be always with them. But whether he came and saw them, or was absent, he wouid hear (by attraction to latter) of their state, whether they were performing their duties as Christian citizens or not. 3. He specifies two duties which devolved upon them as citizens in connection with military service. (1) Unbroken unity. "That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the  TITE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. [err. r. 1-80,