In Epriphroditus l,imself 11s Paul knew God insp:rcd and he could calculato upon. SympRthy thus drew the di~lant into close companionship. II. EPAPIIRODITUS's DANGEROUS ILLNESS CREATED A PANIO AT PHILIPPI. (Ver. 26.) The faithful deputy seems to have caught in the Campaana at Rome some danaerou~ diserLse, which brought him to the gates of death. 'l'idin~s were carried in due ;eason nbout his sickness to the brethren at Philippi, and their an~iety about their sick brother was deep and sore. Epaphroditue knew that they would be painfully anxion~, and this reacted upon him at Rome. A Christian ~pirit regrets the necessity of putting sympathetic hearts to pain on his account. Sympathy intensifies sulferina0 as well as lightens suffering round the world. Ill. THIS LED TO HIS CONSIDERATE PROPOSAL TO DEPAilT TO PHILIPPI AND 'l'O PAUL'S DESPATCH ·oF HIM. (Vers. 26, 27.) The aged apostle had watched over his sick "fellow-soldier" with anxiety until he saw him fairly "on the mend." Then he fc-und the convalescent with a heavy anxiety on his mind because of the trouble his sickness had causeu at Philippi. The result is that the two great hearts proposed to separate, that Epaphroditus may relieve the Church at Philippi of its anxiety by appearing in health once more among them. The whole picture is onP. of mutual con~ideration. JV, STILL MORE CONSIDERATION 18 SHOWN IN THE PROPOSED DESPATCH OF TIMOTHY. (Ve111. 19-21.) Timothy tarries at Rome after Epaphroditus leaves, but only for a time. Paul keeps him only until he sees what turn his trial w:11 take. In case he is released, he means to despatch Timothy at once to Philippi to carry on considerately the work of God in their hearts. Amid the general selfishness of men, Timothy at all events can be relied on, who will, as a matter of seconrl nature or habit, care for the Philippians' sta.te. This second mission, that of Timothy, is a fresh embodiment of the considerate Christian spirit. V. LASTLY, PAUL'S OWN ADVENT IS PROMISED IN CASE OF ms RELEASE. (Ver. 24.) Paul at Rome has been experiencing the consideration, not of earthly friends only, but also of his Father in heaven. He notes this in the recovery of Epaphroditus. God had raised up the faithful attendant lest Paul should have" sorrow upon sorrow." He thus impressed his servant with the fact that sorrows come one by one, in Indian file, while joys come thick as the leaves of anturuu. Miss Procter has brought out this beautifully in her poom, 'One by One.' \Ve may c1uote here one precious verse- " One by one thy A"riefs shall meet thee, Do not fear an armed b,md ; Ono will fade e.s otbers greet thee; Shadows paasing through the lund." (' L(;gends and Lyrics.') Filled, then, with the grateful sense of the Divine as \rell as the human consiJerat.io1J, Paul determines, if released, to set out at once for Philippi. Timothy may go a.t a quicker rate as forerunner, but Paul means to follow after him and do what he can by personal visitation of the Church to minister to their joy. There is thus given to us ampl'l and vivid illustration of tho considerateness of the Christian spirit. Let it be our aim to show it always and act in some way worthy of our high calling !-R. M. E.
Vera. 1-11.-Exlwrtation to unanimity and humility. I. HE APPEALS TO THE PIULIPPIANB BY FOUH COMMON ELEMENTS IN THEIR COMMON CONFLICT TO FULFIL H!S JOY. 1. By the comfort tliere is in Ghrist. "If there is therefore any comfort in Christ." 'l'he connecting word has reference to the duty which was enjoiued in the twenty- seventh verse of the last chapter, and is again enjoined in the second verse of this chapter. But there is also referenco to the circumstnnces under which unity is enjoiucd. 'l'hey were enduring the same conflict at Philippi which Paul had once eudured at Philippi, and was then enduring in Rome. Under circumstances of co=on conflict, what had they to fall back upon, and by which the)'. could nppeal to each other? It is this which leads to the introduction of the subject of comfort. Some woulu fiubstitute "exhortation" for "comfort." But "comfort" is certaiuly tho wor,I nppropriate to the occasion, and the foll~wing of it up in the second clause_ by a wonl 11 r similar import only serves to emphasu:e the tone of the appeal. The l0rm of tl,c THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS, [011. D. 1-80,