The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 88

11ppe11l is no(ic-eahle. It is under a s?-pposition, being simply, "If nny comfort in Cbri~t.." He knew thRt he ~ to?-chmg a chord to which there would be o. ready respouse on the part of the Ph1hpp1ans. Any comfort in Christ? Yes• that was the quut.er to which he and they in common looked for comfort, As opp~cssed by tho tn,ubles of this life and the question of our destiny, we need to be comforted. All the comfort that philosophy affords amounts to this-that such is the constitution of things, that we mu~t bear ~hat _we cannot_ mend, that complaining only makes our case worse. In Christ there lH tlus all-sufficient comfort, that., from his own experience of suffering, he can enter sympa~heti~lly into the suffering of each soul, and, while for good ends he may see fit to contmue 1t, he undertakes to support under it and to mako it productive of good. As Christia.ns they had a right to expect and to 1LSk of each other a conveyance of the Master's sympathy with them in their afflictions. Paul extended loving thought, as from the Ma.ster, toward the Philippians in their conflict• and it was his desire that they should extend loving thought as from the Maste; toward him. 2. By the consolation of loue. "If any consolation of love." In the previous clause the idea was that they were to take of what was Christ's and show it to each other. The idea here is that they were to take of their own love and show it to each other for consolation. They had a common hate from the world; the antidote for that wa.s the refreshing influence of mutual love. Paul would have the Philippians in their conflict know, for their consolation, that they were loved by him ; and he looks to them to let him know in his conflict, for his consolation, that he was loved by them. 3. By the fel,lowship of the Spirit. "If any fellowship of the Spirit." They were partakers of a common life of strength, of gladness, of hope in the Spirit. As thus alike favoured of the Spirit, they were bound to make it their aim to promote their common life. He was prepared to do his utmost for the Philippians, that in their con- flict they should pa.rt.a.ke more largely of the stron~, glad, hopeful life of the Spirit; he looks to them to do their ntmost, so that in conflict he shall have reciprocity in the same life. 4. By tend.er mercies and compauions. "If any tender mercies and com- passions." The first seems t.o point to t.ender feelings CO!J-fined to the heart ; the second w tender feelings going out in compassion to others in their need. Paul was no stranger to tender feeling and compassionate yearning toward the Philippians in their conflict; he wishes to have from them in his conflict reciprocity in the same luxury. "Fulfil ye my joy." What they had a right to ask of him, he, in the exercise of his right, asks of them. They had given him joy in the past; it was not yet made ful1 Let them from the common source fill up his joy. lL HE A.6KS TBElll TO FULFIL ms JOY BY ATTENTION TO TWO DUTIES. 1. Unanimity. "Thai ye be of the same mind." This has been explained as thinking, willing, and seeking the same thing. (J) Unanimity proc«ding from loving and being loved alike. "Having the same love." This points to the condition under which unanimity is to be wrought ont-there must be love on both sides. If there is no love, or love only on one side, then there cannot be the same way of thinking, willing, and striving. But let there be reciprocal love, warmed around the cross of Christ, then, whatever differ- ences there may be to begin with, there will come ultimately to be a seeing eye to eye. (2) Unanimity appearing in. harmony of soul,. "Being of one a_ccord, or one mind." It is better to take the two clauses a.s one and to translate," With harmony of soul, being of one mind." The latter expression is just the literal meaning of unanimity. And we are here taught that unanimity must not be mere uniformity-subscribing to the same creed, observing the same furms _of worship. It m~t be some~hing deep do~ in the nature, wrought out under the mfluence of love m the feelings and active i1Lpulses. It is what may be seen in a couple who have long and deeply loved each otLer-they come to fed and act alike. It is what can be wrought out without lose of independence. It is like what may be seen i.Jl a choir where there are blended many qualities of voice. It is what may be seen in a congregation where there has long been good feelina and harmonious co-operation; there is created an excellent eBprit <h corps- une soul a~imateti the body and determines its movements. It is what will yet, we i:.u!)!:, be exhibited i.Jl the Churches, when they have all received a larger baptism of the ,pirit of love. Many differences will disappear-no difference will remain to prevent tLem 1'niting and co-operating in the work of the Lord. It is what will only be rhoroughly wrought out in tbe Church above, wpcre the same view of Ohrisf~ work  THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 85