The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 76

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1, 2.-(Jhristian like-mindedness. It seems strange that the apostle, knowin'!, the difficulty of getting a thousand minds to agree in the reception of intellectual truth, should yet counsel them to seek a unity of opinion. Them is nothing strange in the fact when we consider how much the intellect of man is influenced by his moral nature. I. TBE NATURE AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LIKE-MINDEDNESS. "That ye be like- minded, having the same love, with accordant souls minding the one thing." 1. It must include a certain intellectual agreement as to matt,:rs of doctrine. It is not possible to understand what may have been the diversity of opinion on points of doctrine which made this counsel necessary. The Philippians are not censured for heresy; but the apostle knows that the "men of the concision" are not far off, and the warning to keep to "the sound doctrine" is neither premature nor unnecessary. 2. It includes an agreement as to methods and aims. There were symptoms of jealousy,· leading to quarrel, manifest in the conduct of two ladies of this Church (eh. iv. 2), and it is difficult to say how far these women, holding an influential place in the little community, may have disturbed its unity. 3. It implies an agreement working al,ong the lines of a common love. Love is a bond-" the bond of perfectness "-just as hatred separates man from man. It produces that harmony of feeling and interests that leads to unity of service. II. THE TRUE GROUNDS OF Tms LIKE-MINDEDNESS. "If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, H any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels ancl mercies." The apostle grounds his appeal to the Philippians upon their undoubted possession of certain spiritual experiences. 1. " Consolation in Christ." What stores of consolation are iu Christ I "I will not leave you comfortless." 2. "Comfort of love." Love has comfort in it, especially when it has a sure resting-place. 3. "Fellow- ship of the Spirit." This fellowship involves "the fellowship of the Father and the Son," and carries with it all the experiences and fruits of the Spirit (Ga.I. v. 22, 23). It involves unity as one ofits essential ideas. 4. "Bowels and mercies." A tender and compassionate spirit is helpful to unity. III. THE MINISTEB'S JOY PROMOTED BY TBE LIKE-MINDEDNESS OF ms FLOCK. "Fulfil ye my joy:" As nothing so depresses the mind of a minister as intellectual or social dissensions among the members of his flock, so his joy is fullilled alike in their unity of thought and in the harmony of their feeling and affection.-T. C. Vers. 3, 4.-The qualities of Christian like-mindedness. L WARNING AGllNST FACTION AND VAIN-GLORY. "Let nothing be done through faction or vain-glory." '!'rue unity of spirit is inconsistent alike with the exaltation of party and the exaltation of self. Faction carries men beyond the bounds of discretion, and rends the unity of the brotherhood. "The beginning of strife is as the letting out of water" (P~ov. xvii. 14). It should be" an honour for u.man to cease from" it (Prov. xx. 3). Varn-glory, personal vanity, carries men into many follies and sins. "For men to search their own glory is not glory " (Prov. xxv. 29). " There is more hope of a fool than of" sll:ch a one (Prov. xxvi. 12). We ought, therefore, to pray," Remove far from me vanity and lies." II. THE ESTIMATE OF A BUMDLE-MINDED MAN. "In humbleness of mind let eacl, esteem other better than themselves." This implies: I. That we have modest thoughts of ourselves. (Prov. xxvi. 12.) 2. That we have a just idea of others:_ excellences. (1 Pet. h. 17.) 3. That in honour we are to prefer one another. (Rom. x11. 10.) Tbo reasons for this command nre: (1) If we excel others in some things, they may excel us in others (Rom. xii. 4). (2) We know not but others are more dear to God than 'i2 THE EPISTLE '1'0 THE PHILIPPIANS. [oH, n. 1-30,