Bible Commentary

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 14. Do &c.] The general principle of holiness of life in the power of the Divine Indweller is now carried into details, with a view to the special temptations and failings of the Philippians. See above, on Php 2:2. all things] Observe the characteristic totality of the precept. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:14”

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 13. For it is God &c.] Here is the reason for the “fear and trembling.” The process of “working out” is one which touches at every point the internal presence of Him before whom “the stars are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:13”

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 12 18. Inferences from the foregoing passages: the Greatness of the methods of Salvation: the consequent Call to a Life reverent, self-forgetful, fruitful, joyful 12. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:12”

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 11. every tongue should confess ] Again an implicit quotation of Isa 45:23. The verb rendered “ confess,” as Lightfoot points out, has in Scriptural Greek almost resigned its literal meaning of open avowal, to take that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:11”

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 10. at the name of Jesus ] Lit., with R.V., in the name of Jesus, or as far as grammatical form goes, “ in the name Jesus.” “It is not ‘the name … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:10”

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 9. Wherefore ] From the point of view of this passage, the glorification of the Crucified Lord was the Father’s recognition and reward of His infinitely kind and gracious “looking upon the things of others.” The argument is, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:9”

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 8. found ] as one who presented Himself for inspection and test. See Appendix F. fashion ] See third note on Php 2:6 above. The Greek word schma denotes appearance with or without … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:8”

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 7. But made himself of no reputation ] “ But ” here introduces the infinitely gracious action of the Saviour as the contrary to what it would have been had He “thought … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:7”

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 6. Who ] in His pre-existent glory. We have in this passage a N.T. counterpart to the O.T. revelation of Messiah’s “coming to do the will of His God” (Psa 40:6-8, interpreted Heb 10:5). being ] The Greek word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:6”

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 5. Let this mind be ] R.V., Have this mind; adopting a reading different in form but scarcely so in import from that taken for the A.V., which fairly represents either reading. In the great passage which follows we have a suggestive example … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 2:5”