The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 46

~ers. 6-8.-Personal Ohristianity. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which bath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart• inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, y~ all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." These words bring under our notice personal Christi.anity. L In this the greatest apostle HAD THE STRONGEST CONFIDENCE. .. Being confident of this very thing, that he which bath begun a good work in you will perform it." The apostle seems to have bad confidence: 1. In its character. It is "a good work." Genuine religion is in every sense a good thing. (1) Good in its essence-supreme love to the i;uprcmely good. (2) Good in its influence. In its influence on self, elevating the soul to the image and the friendship of God. Good in its influence on society, ameliorating the woes of the race by enlightening the ignorant, healing the afflicted, enfranchising the enthralled. Whate,•er of goodness is found in Christendom unkno\vn in heathen lands to-day must be a.scribed to this "good work." 2. In its internality. "In you." Some would read," amongst you," supposing the reference to be to the influence of Christianity on Philippi and itB neighbourhood; but there is no authority for this. It is "in you." Christianity is a good thing outside of us, yet unless it enters into our natures, permeates, inspires, dominates, etc., it is of no servic~no more service th:i.n the noontide sun is to the man whose eyes are sealed in darkness. 3. Jn its divinity. "He which hath begun a good work." He, undoubtedly the all-lo,ing Father. Every good in the universe begins with the good One. The first good thoughts, sympathy, volitions, aims, principles of action in the human soul, originate with him, from whence comes every," good and perfect gift." Personal Christianity in a ma.n is a Divine thing; it is the eternal Logos made flesh. 4. In its 1,erpettuty. "Will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." "'l'he day of Jesus Christ." "So also in eh. i 10; ii 16 ; and in 1 Cor. i. 18, 'the day of our Lord Jesus Christ;' in all other Epistles, 'the day of our Lord' (as in 1 Cor. v. 5; 2 Cor. i. H; 1 Thess. v. 2; 2 Thess. ii. 2), or still more commonly both in Gospel and Epistles, 'tliat day.' As is usual in the Epistles, the day of the Lord is spuken of as if it were near at hand. St. Paul in 2 These. ii. 2 declines to pronounce that it is near, yet does not say that it is far away, and only teaches that there is much to be done even in the development of anti-Christian power before it does come. It is, of course, clear tl.iat, in res1iect of the confidence here expressed., it makes no differen~ whether it _be near or far away. The reality of the judgment as final and complete 1s the one pomt irnj.J(Jrtaut the times and seasons matter not to us" (Dr. Barry). Whatever period is l.ere poinfed to, it must not be supposed as conveying the idea that this_" g~od work" tcrrnir.ates at that period, "until the day." It does not say that then 1t will become 1;:ainct. 'l'he idea. it suggests rather to me is that, having existed up to that period U[Jder most foauspicious circumstances, struggling with awful difficulties, after that, when all that is nnfavoural.,le is removed, it will go on for eva. 'l'he doctrine of final J.rcrot:verance, a.s it bas been ea.lied, ha.s engaged immeUBe discussion, often foolish, some~ tdI1'cS acrimonious, seldow ll6E:ful. It 6Lould not be looked ur,on all a doctrine, but r:..t1.:er regarJtd as a duty, and as a law of spiritual life, . . II. With thi5 the greatest apostle FELT THE INTENSEST SYMPATHY. "Even 68 1t 18 L.e,ct ~right] for me to think this of you all, becaUBe I have you in my heart; inasmuch 1:., i,0tL in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are 1,~u..kers of my ura.ce' ·" or rather as in the margin, "partakers with me of grace.'' His Eyllipatby with tLem is shown by the fa.et that: 1. 'l'hey occupied his thoughts. '' E,(;L a.; it ii; n:,.eet;" diakior., that ii; just, or right, to have thi11 praycl'ful confid,mce. 011, I. 1-30.] THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 11