The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 54

Pnul ilcsircd death; hie self-love y81\rned for 1.t. So far as he himself we.a concerned It wonld be in e,ery way an e.dve.nt.age, l1. Here is SOCUL LOVE URGING OONTINUANOE in the world. "Nevertheless to e.bidc in the flesh is more needful for you." To promote the gospel amongst them nnd to diffuse it amongst his oontcmpore.rie.~, was e.n object very dear to Paui's heart. ' But he folt that if he were not to remain in the flesh, but to depart into the gree.t spirit- rc::ilm, his power in this direction would be at an end. And this I take to be : I. A solemn fact. "\Ye can only serve our fellow-men while we are in the flesh. There is no proof that one of all the millions of departed saints has been able, by personal agency, to render any good whatever to any left on earth, however near and dear to his hen_rt. All pcrso~al communiClltions seem to cease at death. 2. A practical fact. Tb1s fact should rnfluence every m:m to do the utmost he can to render spiritual service to his fellow-man during his life. When Paul departed, society lost the influence of his personal presenre, and the personal presence of a good man is always most beneficent. And more, he lost his personal agency too-he delivered no more speeches, be wrote no more letters, his voice was hushed, bis pen was stilled for ever. Earth alone is the sphere in which we can serve our fellow-men. Pious parents can no more help their children when they are gone, pious pastors cease to serve their congregations when they have passed away. Hence any work we have to do must be done now and here. Here, then, were the two principles, the love of self and the love of society, working in the mind of the apostle, one urging him to depart and the other to remain, so that be says, "·what I shall choose I wot not." I am in suspense. "I am in a strait betwixt two," that is, between the aspirations of the two loves. IIL Here is SELF-LOVE on:RcoME DY SOCIAL LOVE. " And having this confidence, I know that I sh&ll abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith." "I know." That is, it is my present feeling. 'l'be knowledge sprang from his desire, the wish was father to the thought. On the whole, his choice was to remain. In re.aching this decision he felt assured of two things. 1. That he would have trying wurk. "But if 1 live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour." "If I live, my life ml.I be one continuous labonr, productive of much fruit, keeping me back from my reward, but useful to you" (Lewin). 2. That he should render useful service. "And continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Christ Jesus for me by my co!Iling to you again." Most heartily did he desire such a joy in their faith, that they might abundantly rejoice in the continuation of his presence and work amongst them. CoNCLUSI0N. Paul's experience here is sublime and exemplary. His love of self was submerged in his philanthropy, bis love for bis contemporaries. He sought not his own things, but the things of others. He said, "For I could wish that I my11elf were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh." It is the Christly spirit, the spirit of self-sacrificing love, and this alone is genuine Christianity.-D. T. Vers. 2i-30.-A life of consistency, unity, and courage. "Only let your conversa- tion be as it becometh the gospel of Christ," etc. 'fbe apostle here means that, whether Le should come to them or not-for he was not certain on the point-they should be careful to pursue a certain course of conduct. "By supposing," sa_;ys Bengel, "this or that future coIJtingency men may persuade thei_nselves tha_t they will be such and su_ch 11.5 they ought to be. But it is bette~ alw~ys _w1tbou~ evas10n _to pe~form pr_esent duties under present circumstances." 'l'herr obhga~o~ to live a ~hristlr _life was mdepen~ent of the contingency of the circumstances of his life. He might v1s1t them or he might not• be miaht0 remain in the flesh or he might depart. In any case be urges on them c0n~istency of conduct unity of life, and fearlessness of soul. He urges on them- I. CoNsISTEKCY OF ~~oi::;cT. "Let your conversation (politeuesthe) be as it becometh tLc gospel of Christ." I take this to mean, f~lfil )'.our duties as citizens, worthy of the gosvel of Christ. This is a mo8t comprehensive view of the <l_uty of those_ who profess to Lclieve in tLe gospel; it means, a.et worthy of your ~rofess10n, be consistent. You 1,rofoss to believe in a God: act worthy of that profession, be reverent, be devout, ho tliawdul. You profess to believe in Christ: walk wortby of a true disciple, be docile, bt slu1ious, be loyal. You profess to believe in fut11rc retribution: regulate your OH, I, 1-30.] THIB EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPI.A.NB. 49