The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 104

Vers. 14--16.-0hvrcA activity. "Do all thinga without murmurings and dlsput- ings: that ye may be blameless and harmle.."11, the sons of God, without rebuke, In the mid~t of a crooked Rnd pe~el'88 nation, amon~ .wh_om ye shine as lights in the world ; holdrng forth the Word of life; that I may reJ01ce in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." The Church is essentially as active sooiety. An inactive Church is a solecism. .Activity is not only the condition of its health ~trength, and growth, but the oondition of its very existenoe. Inactivity is death. Th~ text leads us to look upon its activity in relation to various things. I. IN RELATION TO THE SPIRIT WHICH SHOULD Il!ISPIRE IT. 1. The spirit should be uncomplaining. "Do all things without murmurings ('Ya'Y)'Vuµ<»v)." In Peter this word is translated •• grudging." It represents a discontented soul. It is not uncom- mon, alas I to find men in the Church discontented-discontented with their fellow- members, their minister, their work. This gong= is a growl which is most painful and mischievous in Church operations. 2. The spirit shouul be uncontentious. " Dis- putings." There is a strong tendency in some persons to enter into contention and raise a strife. The smallest points of difference a.re seized. This disputatious spirit has been rife in all ages. The theological controversies, sectarian battlings, the schismatic strifes of the Church, have been her disgrace and her bane. 3. The spirit should be i.rreprih.ensi"ble.. " That ye may be blameless and harmless." The expression means faultless and sincere. Christians should exemplify such a spirit and maintain such a deportment as wonld guard them from the rebukes of the severest critics of life. II. IN RELATION TO THE SPHERE OF rrs OPERATIONS. "A crooked and perverse nation." Thongh, perhaps, Paul especially refers in these words to the bigoted Jews and Gentiles, amongst whom the Philippians lived, they are not inapplicable to the unconverted world. The world, as distinguished from the Church, living outside and around it, is indeed wicked and perverse. 'l'be world is the sphere of the Church. And how corrupt in its ma.rims, in its aims, in its spirit, in its theories, practices, and institutions I 'l'he prince of darkness is its ruler. He worketh in the children of disobedience. ill IN RELATION TO THE MISSION IT PROilECUTES. "Holding forth the Word of life." Observe: L Its instnumer,t. "The ,vord of life." The gospel is the Word of life. It reveals, generates, nourishes, and perfects Di vine life in the soul. 2. Its method. "Holding forth." The language is :figurative. Hold this Word forth as a standard- bearer holds forth his banner to direct the march and animate his soldiers in the day of battle. Hold it forth as a light in the midst of surrounding darkness. Some think there is in the text an allusion to those towers which in ancient times were built at the entrance of harbours, and on which fires were kept burning to direct ships into port, It should be held forth as the lighthouse holds forth that flaming lamp that flashes its radiance on the dark sea to guide the mariner on his way. Hold it forth, not only doc- trinally, but practically; let it turn your whole being into a light that shall shine brightly as a star in the world's dark firmament. IV. IN RELATION TO THE JiU:1-'ISTBY THAT STIMULATES rr. Christ bas appointed a ministry in the Church. The design of that ministry is to stimulate and. guide its activity. Paul had ministered to the Church at Philippi, and he uses the service he had rendered as an argument for their continued Christian activity. "That I may rejoico in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." There is nothing selfish in this reason. But there is something very suggestive in Paul's words. They itnply: L That the Church mar re~dcr fru!tless the labours of its_ minister. This is a solemn truth, and one exemplified m the history of many congregations. An indolent, ignorsnt, worldly, inconsistent Church must ever render futile_ the servi~s of the best of ministers. Even Paul dreaded it. 2. That such an event 1s a calamity to be deprecated. Paul did so now. Deprecated, not on selfish grounds, for the truo minister has his reward in his own holy efforu. But on account of those who augment their responsibility and increase their guilt by an abuse of the means of grace. 3. '!'hat, the results of the Christian ministry will be fully revealed on the day of judgment, This ci&y is here called "the day of Christ." It is biM day, because he will appear on that day; he will be the most prominent object on that day; ho will rule tho Obtili-,e, c,f that day.-D. T. €III. ll, 1-30.] 'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 101