ought to ho" content with such things as we have" (Hoh. xiii. 5), for" godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. vi. 6). We arc, therefore, to do nothing murmur- ingly, because such 11n attitude or mind seemg to imply a too slender trnst in the resources of Divine goodness and wisdom. 2. The disputings here meant point to tho.,e dissensions which mar the peace ,f the Ohurch. We ought to avoid disputings, becaa~o (1) we know not where they may end; (2) because they often arise from pride and ignomnce (1 Tim. vi. 4); (3) because they disturb others as well as ourselves (Luke xxi. 10); (4) because they produce confusion and evil works (Jas. iii.16, 17); (5) becanse, if we live in peace, God will be with us (2 Cor. xiii. 11). II. THE ODJECT AND AIM OF BUCH A SPIRIT. "That ye may be blameless and harm- less, children of God without blemish, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life." They were to be examples to the world of high Christian living. 1. Their lives were to be marked by a purity, a loftiness, a consistency, which would disarm the censure of the wo1·ld. They were, as children of God, to present no spots upon which the eye of a critical generation might rest with a scorn for goodness. 2. Their lives were to be mal'ked, not by a mere absence offault, but by a conspicuous exhibition of all those posi- tive graces that are identified with thef1tll power of the Word nf life. (1) The lives or Christians ought to be a transcript of the Word of life, manifesting its beauty to the world. 'l'hus the saints are to be" living epistles of Christ, to be known and read of all men." (2) 'l'hey are to shine forth as luminaries in a dark and perverse world (Matt. v. 16). Nearly all the light that fills the world is reflected from a million objects around us, and does not stream down directly from the sun. Similarly, Jesus Christ is the supreme Source of all light-the Sun of righteousness-but his light is reflected upon the world from the millions of believers whom he has enlightened anrl blessed by his Spirit. Therefore the saints ought to remember the voice of old, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Ill, THE ULTIMATE BEARlll:G OF SUCH A SPIRIT UPON THE GLORYING OF THE APOSTLE, "That I may have whereof t-0 glory in the day of Christ, that l did not rnn in vain, neither labour in vain." 1. It is possible even for an apostle to lose his labour. It may be in vain to the people who refuse his message, but not to himself (Isa. xlix. 4). 2. The ministry is a work of great toil and strain. 3. The conversion of aouls will enhance tltejoys of heaven to thcfaithful minister.-1'. C.
Vers. 17, 18.-The apostle's readiness to sacrifice his life/or the Philippians. "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, auJ rejoice wi,h you all. For the same cause also do ye jcy, and rejoice with me." I. MABK THE APOSTLE'S DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE PHILI.PPIANS Alm HIS INTEl\':;E INTEREST IN THEIR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING. He considered not his life too de:ir :\ sacrifice to be made on their behalf. lI. MARK THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH WHICH COULD DEllA..."ID SUCH A SACRIFICE. Ill. THE PROSPECT OF MARTYRDOM I!,! SUCH A CAUSE OUGHT TO BE SUBJECT OF JOY ALIKE TO TIIE SUl'FEI\ER AND 'l'O ms DISCIPLES.-T. c. Vers. 19-23.-The mission of Timothy. The apostle comforts the Philipi-,iaus with the intimation that, if he cannot himself visit them, he will send them Timothy, who was already well known to them all. I. Hrs OBJECT IN BENDING 'l'IMOTHY. It was twofold. 1. To comfort his own hear!. "That I also may be of good heart, when I know your state." The ,1postle had a tender anxiety respecting the best beloved of all the Churches. 2. To give them gttidance; for Timothy was one who would "naturally caro for their state" with an almost instinctive devotion to their interests. II. Hrs IlEASON Fon SENDING TIMOTHY IN PREFERENCE TO ANY OTHER, 1. The1J haJ. already known Timothy's devotion to the apostle and to the gospel of Christ. "l>ut ye know the proof of him, that, as II child serveth a father, so he served with me in furtherance of tho gospel." When the apostle was at Philippi, Timothy-" mine own son in the faith "-was his congenial assistant, obeying his counsel, aud imitating his example, iu everything thnt tended to tho edification of the Church. 2. There was no other helper with tlte apostle at the time possessed of the same quick sympathy with their 'i6 THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
ilrrfc a., Timothy. "For I ~ave no man like-i_ninded, who will naturally ci\ro for your ~lat.e: for ~hey all ~k their own, not the things_ of Jesus Christ." (1) The apostle contrasts T1moth~• with other p~chers or evangehRts, who sought their own advantnge rather thRn the honour of <?hr1st. He ~ad had sad experience of alienation, hnlf- heartedness, and selfishness rn the very circle of the evangelistic companionship. A man's own things may he different from the things of Christ. The highest life is where our interests are identical with the interests of Christ. God will disappoint all other interests. (2) He commends the anxious concern of Timothy on their behalf. (a) It wu a concem for their spiritual state. (b) It wu, as the word imports an anxious care on their behalf, testifying at once to his own personal interest in their welfare and to his profound appreciation of the worth of immortal souls. (c) It was a concern natural to one inheriting the interests and the affections of his spiritual father. ( d) It was implanted in his soul by the Lord himself; for it was with him as with Titus: "Thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus" (2 Cor. viii. 16).-T. C.