MR. D'S NOTES ON PHILIPPIANS


Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.

COPYRIGHT 2004

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Lesson 1

QUALITIES OF A CHURCH

ERECTED (Acts 15:36–16:40)

Act 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Act 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

The book was written by Paul between 60 and 64 A.D. from Rome where he was in prison.

Barnes has a lengthy section on the character of the book which I will include at the end of this study for your possible interest.

The city was located ten miles inland from Neapolis which is the modern Kavala. It was founded in the fourth century B.C. It was located on the main highway from the East which ended in Rome. Originally it was named Krenides, but when Philip of Macedon came on the scene he named it after himself. Philip was the father of Alexander the Great.

There were gold and silver mines in the near area. This might give some insight into the city and its people. There probably were lots of poor working miners as well as lots of rich businessmen and traders. Nothing out of the ordinary, other than to call attention to the churches need to reach all sorts of people, not just the poor that are in need of a boost out of their dreary life. The rich need Christ just as much as the poor - not to say they will be as open to the Word, but the need is the same.

It was considered an entirely Roman city, and the official language was Latin according to Lenski. We will see the significance of it being a Roman city later.

Acts 16:1-40 is the beginning of the Philippian church.

Lenski has a scenario which has value at this point.

"When Paul left Philippi in the year 52, Timothy and Luke remained to build up the infant congregation; but Timothy soon followed Paul, and when he was sent back to Macedonia from Athens he most likely again came to Philippi. Luke, it seems, worked steadily on in Philippi. His first "we" section (Acts 16:11-40) stops with Paul's departure from Philippi; the second does not begin until Paul again reached Philippi (Acts 20:5,6). This occurred at Easter, 58 when Paul and the delegates of the churches (Acts 20:4) took the great collection to Jerusalem. Paul had been in Philippi during the previous summer when on his way from Ephesus to Corinth he spent some time in Macedonia (II Cor. 2:13). Thus Paul was in Philippi three times, the second visit probably being the longest. It seems likely that Second Corinthians, which was written in Macedonia, was written in Philippi.

"Timothy is joined with Paul in this epistle (1:1). He was with Paul when the church was founded. when he was sent back to Thessalonica from Athens, Timothy probably went back also to Philippi (I Thess. 3:1,2,6). Timothy was also in Philippi when Paul sent him by land on an extended commission from Ephesus to Corinth prior to Paul's own slower journey over the same land route. This occurred in 57. Finally, Timothy was in the party that took the collection from Corinth to Jerusalem via Philippi (Acts 20:4). These connections of Timothy with Philippi cast light on Phil. 2:19-23. Once more this beloved assistant of Paul's is being sent to this beloved congregation." (p 693-694)

This was the first city of Europe in which the Gospel had been preached. This would have been quite a job to tackle. I'm sure the citizens had heard of Jews, and maybe even of the Christians, but the two would not have been household names. Paul would have truly been starting from scratch with this church plant.

He would probably not have had much of an interest base or group to talk to about the gospel. Rather like entering a new country today. A country where you had to begin by telling the people there is a SINGLE God that loves them. The Philippians would have been in the isms of the day for their spiritual uplifting and probably well set in their belief systems.

Some countries today are in a similar condition. They have their religion and are not interested in someone else's. I am told that for the most part Sweden is a country that believes in nothing spiritual. You have to tell them there is a God before telling them that God loves them.

Barnes Notes has a good section on the history of the city if you are interested. I will quote a portion of his section to give further on the Roman aspect of the city.

"This city is celebrated in history from the fact that it was here that a great victory, deciding the fate of the Roman empire, was obtained by Octavianus (afterwards Augustus Ceesar) and Antony over the forces of Brutus and Cassius, by which the republican party was completely subdued. In this battle, Cassius, who was hard pressed and defeated by Antony, and who supposed that everything was lost, slew himself in despair. Brutus deplored his loss with tears of the sincerest sorrow, calling him "the last of the Romans." After an interval of twenty days, Brutus hazarded a second battle. Where he himself fought in person he was successful; but the army everywhere else gave way, and the battle terminated in the entire defeat of the republican party. Brutus escaped with a few friends, passed a night in a cave, and, seeing that all was irretrievably lost, ordered Strato, one of his attendants, to kill him. Strato for a long time refused; but seeing Brutus resolute, he turned away his face, and held his sword, and Brutus fell upon it. The city of Philippi is often mentioned by the Byzantine writers in history. Its ruins still retain the name of Filibah. Two American missionaries visited these ruins in May, 1834. They saw the remains of what might have been the forum or market-place, where Paul and Silas were beaten, Ac 16:19; and also the fragments of a splendid palace. The road by which Paul went from Neapolis to Philippi, they think, is the same that is now travelled, as it is cut through the most difficult passes in the mountains. It is still paved throughout."

Authenticity: Lenski mentions that the book was accepted as early as Polycarp (Polycarp c.70-c.155). Most agree that only the most radical critics ever call the book into suspicion.

Author: Paul wrote the book from Rome. His Hebrew name was Saul meaning, "to ask" or "pray." Paul is Latin meaning "little." This is why many feel he was small in stature. This was his Gentile name.

Theme: The Christian Experience according to Scofield. Ray Stedman introduced his series on Philippians with the following comments. "We want to begin our studies in the book of Philippians today and through the summer continue in what I consider the most delightful epistle of the New Testament. There is a wonderful note of joy and thanksgiving that runs through this entire epistle, and yet as you know this is one of the so-called "prison epistles" written while Paul was a prisoner. It was written to the saints at Philippi."

The church at Philippi seems to have been a matured church in that verse one mentions both elders and deacons, the two offices of the local church. Both sets of leaders in place would take some amount of time.

Some suggest that this church was made up of mostly if not all Gentile believers. This is based on the fact that Paul does not use any Old Testament quotes in the book. I don't know if that is a valid point or not, but probably is a possibility.

Paul visited Philippi on his second journey Acts 16.12. Most of the sixteenth chapter of Acts relates to this visit.

Key phrase: "JOY".

A King James note at the end of I Corinthians mentions that the letter to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by four people, evidently Paul was speaking to them and they were writing. "Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus." A note at the end of II Corinthians mentions that book was written by "Titus and Lucas"

I Thess. 2.1-5 mentions "2 :1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts."

See Acts 16.12-40 and Acts 20.20 for further on Paul's relationship to the city.

Note should be taken from I Thess. 2.2 that Paul and those with him "were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God...." This boldness is related to suffering of the apostle at the hands of those that rejected his claims.

Suffering is never the anticipated in the Christian life, but it is the required. Without it there will be little character building, there will be little patience building, and there will be little spiritual life building. Suffering is God's building block for life.

Now, some might think that this depicts God as an old meany sitting up there somewhere casting down suffering on his children. Not so. He allows suffering in life because He is not over-riding the effects of sin. Man thumbed his nose at God and man reaps the consequences.

Suffering is a part of the curse that Adam brought upon mankind. The curse states that man will work for his living. Thorns are mentioned. Ever stumble into a bed of thorns? The suffering is great and it is not God's fault. Thorns are in life because man sinned. As we walk through the thorns, God assists us to grow through the experience. This is profit from suffering for us.

My earthly father was in a train accident when he was twenty-one years old. His back was broken and there were also many other injuries. When he regained consciousness he had to pull a sheet off of his face. He looked both ways and he was in a long line of dead people.

He was seriously crippled for the remainder of his life. In his sixties he broke his leg and due to negligence of his care takers he was confined to a wheel chair for a number of years until he died of cancer.

Through all of this he worked until a few months before he died. He was one of the most patient beings I have ever known. He allowed nothing to bother him. He also was a man of great character. He was the country treasurer for many years and well trusted by the public.

However, from what he told me of his younger years - pre twenty-one years old - he was anything but patient and most would have wondered of his character. His suffering in life was not something that he requested but it was something that he put up with most of his life. Without this suffering, he would not have been the man that he was. It molded him and shaped him for the life ahead.

Thus, when suffering comes, do not shirk it, but get on your knees and pray that the Lord will help you through these hard times and that you will gain the lessons that are yours to learn. Suffering is for a reason. Suffering is a good thing.

One minor point that may not relate too much, but Ray Stedman pointed out one item of interest in the way Paul introduces his letters. He tells the reader who it is from. Today, if we get a letter without a return address we have to go to the end of the letter to see who it is from. He told them to save them the trouble. It might be a good reason for having letter heads today. I receive mail and email that is not signed until the end and find it a frustration to have to sort through several pages looking for the signature. In fact, in some emails people don't sign them and I am left to wonder who the communication is from.

One of our children and spouse send email all the time without signatures leaving the old folks to guess and wonder which loved one they are communicating with. Generic answers and comments are a must in such occasions.

This is, to come to the point - finally - that letters in Paul's day were very important communication tools. Today we have other methods, but back then there was no email, no cellular phones, no phones, no satellites, and none of the modern communication methods that we have today. The face to face and the letter were about the only ways available. Since Paul was in prison, a letter was the only method open to him.

Imagine the thought that must have gone into his letter. He was writing to a group that needed to know these things and he was desirous of giving them the teaching that they needed. To put the importance of the communication to paper would have taken some faith and prayer. Faith that the people would read it with understanding, and prayer that the Spirit would use the letter to the desired gain in the people's lives.

There is a second thought as well. Not only did Paul have to commit his thoughts to a letter, but he had to let it go as a best foot forward effort. He could not sit back and wonder if he did it right, he could not sit back and wish he could recall it so that he could rewrite it, and he could not change the outcome of what would happen.

Again, faith came into the picture. He had to rest in the thought that he had done the best he could with the Holy Spirit's leading and he had to allow the Spirit of God to produce the needed results.

I trust that you will consider your letter writing to others as a possible way to allow God to use you. There are many that encourage missionaries with letters. There are others that allow themselves to be used of God to communicate Scriptural truth to others via the mail. The letter might be the need of some person you know. Consider how God might use you in this area.

Acts 16.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next [day] to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

We see here that Paul entered into this city because of a vision from God. He was going elsewhere but God directed him to go to Philippi. This church is the direct result of a direct intervention by God Himself. That should have been very special to the Philippian believers. To know that God specifically wanted them in His family.

Likewise each of us is a part of that family due specifically to the direct leading of God in the circumstances of our belief.

On the part of the messenger, we must note that obedience to specific leading results in God's plan being fulfilled. What a grand knowledge to know what you are doing is because of God.

There is a side application that some might consider. If a man knows that God has put him in a certain position, then no one should be so arrogant as to set about removing that man from God's place for him.

Years ago, a group of men had been assembled to minister. Each and every one of them knew that God had specifically placed them in that particular place. Some of them had prayed long and hard for an opportunity to minister there, and God had moved to allow this to come to pass.

At one point in time the board that was over the men made a situation which forced all to resign and seek other ministries. In my mind, this board is open to some serious discussions with the Lord as to their actions in setting up this situation where a number of called men were forced to move on. I am sure the board thought they were doing what they should but it would be wise of them to seek God's mind on this in retrospect.

Yes, the Lord used those men that were sent away in other ministries. Yes, the organization that they worked within progressed well without them, however, what might have been had those CALLED men been allowed to continue to minister as God was leading?

Just beware of the situations you seek to change. Are you very sure that God is in what you are doing. Are you very sure that you have Biblical reason to seek these changes.

It is also of note that the Acts text mentions Paul went through Neapolis to get to Philippi. We don't know whether Paul had been specifically told by the Lord to go to Philippi or if he was just headed for the population center of the area as he was known to do.

To go to the center of a province to set up a church is the wise choice. From that one central location many will be reached and they will, by natural movement of peoples go out into the other areas. People from the other areas also come into the center for commerce etc. This is a valid missionary principle even in our own day.

It is possible that they took some time at Neapolis, but there is no indication of this in the text.

Paul had a vision relating to his direction from God. There are some in our own day that believe in visions and dreams, but those methods of communication seem to be in the past. None of the major movements have held to these methods through church history. The Word of God has been revealed in its entirety and for the most part it is our leading and guiding.

God directs today via His Word, His main communication method prayer and at times through circumstances and godly people. I have found direction in all of these in different parts of my life, but mostly through the Word and prayer. I have found that circumstances may not be the only way for guidance, and at times it is unreliable - sometimes it is just not related. Godly people can be a source of direction, but be sure that they are really godly and not just opinionated.

If you want to be sure of God's direction rely heavily on the Word and prayer and you will be better off for the effort.

When the Word is suggested as a guiding force it is not meant to mean "Flop open the Bible and point to a verse and start moving." Some have been directed in this manner, but it is not a method suggested in the Word itself, so should be avoided. When the Word is set forth it is meant in the using, reading and remembering of the same. As you know the Word much in life is made clear.

For example an unmarried couple need not pray about whether God would have them living together. He has made it quite clear that they should not in the Bible. The Bible is clear that all are to be witnesses, so again we don't have to seek His will on the subject - He has made it clear.

As you need direction, just continue in the Word and begin praying about your need. Yes, if you have godly men around seek input, but don't jump on their words as fact - use their words wisely and sparingly as you seek God's direction. Remember Ps. 119.105 "Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The Psalmist chose the word "word" rather than the words "godly men" for a good reason.

APPLICATION

1. The obvious application is the planting of churches. Paul was not in the business of evangelism, he was in the business of starting churches. He began by evangelizing anyone he came in contact with, and then as there were enough believers, he would gather them together into a church and begin working on church leadership. We will touch on leadership in a moment but for now let us look at church planting.

There are many books written on the subject so this will not be a detailed study, only an encouragement to begin with the program. Many churches are growing into monsters that just kind of wallow in the hole of their own making. The large church that continues to function and thrive is usually the one that has outreach and purpose. Without purpose you are little more than wallowing, struggling for continued existence even though there is little purpose for it.

A church that is outgrowing its building ought to consider expanding by planting another church in a needy area. To do this will take a little financial assistance as well as some people. Find someone that can lead the Bible study, someone that can lead others in evangelism and find an area that needs a church. Start knocking on doors and as people accept the Lord gather them together for a Bible study. As the study grows, move to a Sunday service and go from there.

The people that the main church invested can return as the new church begins to grow or find another area in need of a church and continue as they have been. Church planting is the key to many things. It keeps you from having to continue to build bigger buildings, it keeps the spiritual life of the church going, and it is the natural progression of a body of believers - producing off-spring and then raising them. It also, if I might observe, the key to all financial problems of a church. As people are brought in the church grows - as will the funds.

This concept requires a few things. It requires that the main church is healthy. If it is full of sin, full of strife, and full of problems, then do not propagate that sort of thing into another body. The church should be healthy and reproducible.

The concept requires that the body has a purpose. They should have as a congregation a clear knowledge of where they are going and what they feel God wants them to do as a church body.

Recently we were attending a small church and all of a sudden a church purpose statement showed up in the bulletin. The pastor had set the purpose, not discussing it with the people or the church leadership. This is not the way to set a purpose statement. All must own it or they will never support it.

The body needs to know just what God is doing in and through them before they attempt to move on in a single direction. If there is no common interest and purpose then all will begin to pull in their own direction and you gain wallow.

2. Church leadership is the need of our day. Leadership is the major anti-wallow tool that a church body has in its toolbox. The pastor is a key leader, but the other leaders will set the tone and direction of the church. Their spiritual insight is needed for the times of problems.

Without leaders the church will have no one to look to for direction and assistance. The leaders are there to assure smooth implementation of the church purpose statement. All they do must be a part of that purpose. They are not there to follow the pastor, they are there to assist him and keep him on track toward the main purpose. He does not set it, the church sets it and he fits into that purpose because he feels it is God's direction.

This is one of the keys of a church needing a pastor. The church must determine God's intentions for the body, and then they should go looking for a man that has like passion from God. Stick someone in that is counter to the body’s purpose and you will only gain grief.

This is quite counter to the days thinking. Today, there is little thought to what the church purpose is other than to continue on as things are. This is why, when a new pastor comes in there is massive change so that the church can do it his way, then another pastor and his way sweeps away the old. No. The church body is responsible to know God's will for the church and find a pastor that is willing to join into the labors toward that goal. ALL are believer priests and ALL should know what the church is aiming to accomplish.

It is foolish to think that God would communicate only with the pastor and communicate to him all that is desired for the body. Each one in the body is a priest in their own right; they have no need of one to intervene on their behalf. As the body grows to know one another, and prays and contemplates their ministry, God will make it evident to all what the primary focus of the group should be.

Many are the churches that have never even considered what God might have them do because most churches have no concept that their purpose in life is to be "DOING" for God. They veiw the pastor as the DOER on their behalf.

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Barnes on the "THE DESIGN AND CHARACTER OF THE EPISTLE

"THE object of the epistle is apparent. It was sent by Epaphroditus, Php 2:25, who appears to have been a resident at Philippi, and a member of the church there, to express the thanks of the apostle for the favours which they had conferred on him, and to comfort them with the hope that he might be soon set at liberty. Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippians to convey their benefactions to him in the time of his imprisonment, Php 4:18. While at Rome, he had been taken ill, Php 2:26,27. On his recovery, Paul deemed it proper that he should return at once to Philippi. It was natural that he should give them some information about his condition and prospects. A considerable part of the epistle, therefore, is occupied in giving an account of the effects of his imprisonment in promoting the spread of the gospel, and of his own feelings in the circumstances in which he then was. He was not yet certain what the result of his imprisonment would be, Php 1:20; but he was prepared either to live or to die, Php 1:23. He wished to live only that he might be useful to others; and, supposing that he might be made useful, he had some expectation that he might be released from his bonds. There is, perhaps, no one of the epistles of the apostle Paul which is so tender, and which abounds so much with expressions of kindness, as this. In relation to other churches he was often under the necessity of using the language of reproof. The prevalence of some error, as in the churches of Galatia; the existence of divisions and strifes, or some aggravated case requiring discipline, or some gross irregularity, as in the church at Corinth, frequently demanded the language of severity. But, in the church at Philippi, there was scarcely anything which required rebuke; there was very much that demanded commendation and gratitude. Their conduct towards him, and their general deportment, had been exemplary, generous, noble. They had evinced for him the tenderest regard in his troubles: providing for his wants, sending a special messenger to supply him when no other opportunity occurred, Php 4:10, and sympathizing with him in his trials; and they had, in the order, peace, and harmony of the church, eminently adorned the doctrine of the Saviour. The language of the apostle, therefore, throughout the epistle, is of the most affectionate character--such as a benevolent heart would always choose to employ, and such as must have been exceedingly grateful to them. Paul never hesitated to use the language of commendation where it was deserved, as he never shrank from reproof where it was merited; and he appears to have regarded the one as a matter of duty as much as the other. We are to remember, too, the circumstances of Paul, and to ask what kind of an epistle an affectionate and grateful spiritual father would be likely to write to a much-beloved flock, when he felt that he was about to die and we shall find that this is just such an epistle as we should suppose such a man would write. It breathes the spirit of a ripe Christian, whose piety was mellowing for the harvest; of one who felt that he was not far from heaven, and might soon "be with Christ." Though there was some expectation of a release, yet his situation was such as led him to look death in the face. He was lying under heavy accusations; he had no hope of justice from his own countrymen; the character of the sovereign, Nero, was not such as to inspire him with great confidence of having justice done; and it is possible that the fires of persecution had already begun to burn. At the mercy of such a man as Nero; a prisoner; among strangers; and with death staring him in the face, it is natural to suppose that there would be a peculiar solemnity, tenderness, pathos, and ardour of affection, breathing through the entire epistle. Such is the fact; and in none of the writings of Paul are these qualities more apparent than in this letter to the Philippians. He expresses his grateful remembrance of all their kindness; he evinces a tender regard for their welfare; and he pours forth the full-flowing language of gratitude, and utters a father's feelings toward them by tender and kind admonitions. It is important to remember these circumstances in the interpretation of this epistle. It breathes the language of a father, rather than the authority of an apostle; the entreaties of a tender friend, rather than the commands of one in authority. It expresses the affections of a man who felt that he might be near death, and who tenderly loved them; and it will be, to all ages, a model of affectionate counsel and advice."