Bible Commentary

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. to the saints ] Holy ones; persons possessed of holiness, separated from sin to God. It is true that this is the language of “charitable presumption” (Pearson, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 1:2”

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen. 23. The grace ] So every Epistle of St Paul’s closes, or almost closes. In the Ep. to the Romans this benediction occurs twice; Rom 16:20; Rom 16:24. The exact form found here occurs also Gal 6:18; Phm 1:25. Observe the deeply implied … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:23”

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. 22. chiefly ] More exactly, but chiefly. There was something marked and emphatic about this message. they of Cesar’s household ] “Probably slaves and freedmen attached to the palace” (Lightfoot). It has been sometimes assumed that these persons, on the other hand, were … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:22”

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 21 23. Salutations and Farewell 21. Salute ] Cp. Rom 16:3-16. saint ] See on Php 1:1. in Christ Jesus ] See on Php 1:1. The words may grammatically be connected with either “ salute,” to which Lightfoot inclines, or “ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:21”

Now unto God and our Father [be] glory forever and ever. Amen. 20. God and our Father ] Better, our God and Father; the ultimate Source of all faith, love, and hope in the brethren and members of His Son. “Our”: “It is no longer [ ‘my’ ], for the reference is now not to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:20”

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 19. But ] R.V., “ And.” But surely there is a slight contrast meant, to an implied wish that he could send back some material requital of his own to alleviate their “deep poverty” (2Co 8:2). my God … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:19”

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 18. But ] He carries on the correction, begun in Php 4:17, of a possible misunderstanding of his warm words. He must not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:18”

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 17. Not &c.] Here again see the sensitive delicacy of love. This allusion to the cherished past, begun with the wish to shew that he needed no present proof of sympathy, might after all be taken to be “thanks … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:17”

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 16. even in Thessalonica ] “Even when I was there.” Thessalonica was just 100 Roman miles (about 92 English) from Philippi, on the Via Egnatia. Amphipolis and Apollonia were the two intermediate road-stations, about 30 miles from each other, and apparently Paul and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:16”

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 15. Now ] Better, But. He suggests, with the same delicacy of love, that their previous gifts would have sufficed, without this gift, to witness … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:15”