Filipian 4:23 Komentarz

Exhortations to several Christian duties, as stedfastness, unanimity, joy, etc. (Phi 4:1-9). The apostle's grateful acknowledgments of the Philippians' kindness to him, with expressions of his own content, and desire of their good (Phi 4:10-19). He concludes the epistle with praise, salutations, and blessing (Phi 4:20-23).

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 4 This chapter contains exhortations to various duties becoming Christians, the apostle's thankfulness to the Philippians for their present to him, and the conclusion of the epistle with the salutations of the brethren: in Phi 4:1; the apostle exhorts the saints with great affection to perseverance in the doctrine and faith of Christ; and in Phi 4:2; mentions some persons by name, and to whom he recommends unity and agreement; and in Phi 4:3; entreats others to assist them therein; and in Phi 4:4; exhorts them all in general to joy in the Lord, and to moderation, enforced by this argument, the Lord being at hand, Phi 4:5; and to calmness and quietness of mind, and to prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, Phi 4:6; to which they are encouraged, by the promise of having the peace of God, keeping their minds through Christ, Phi 4:7; and to conclude, he exhorts them to everything that is virtuous had commendable; to which he stimulates them, from the consideration of the nature of the things themselves, from his own example, and from the presence of God with them, they might expect to enjoy, Phi 4:8; and then he proceeds to take notice of the kindness of the Philippians to him, declares his joy on account of it, and expresses it by their care of him again; which he corrects, by observing that it was not for want of care in them before, but of opportunity of showing it, Phi 4:10; nor did he take notice of this present of theirs, with so much exultation on account of his own penury, for he had learnt the great lesson of contentment in every state, Phi 4:11; which he enlarges upon and explains; namely, that he had been taught, and knew how to behave in fulness and want, in prosperity and adversity; though this was not owing to himself, but to the power and strength of Christ, Phi 4:12; however, he commends the Philippians for their communicating to him in his affliction, both at the first preaching of the Gospel to them, and at several times since, Phi 4:14, the reason of which commendation was not because he was covetous of gifts and presents from them, but to encourage them to bring forth fruit, which would turn to their own advantage, Phi 4:17; as for himself he had enough, and therefore said not this on his own account, but because such communication was a sacrifice well pleasing to God, and a return would be made by him; who, as he was able to supply all their need, would; of which he assures them, and for which he prays, Phi 4:17, and to whom he gives the glory of what they had given, and he had received, Phi 4:20; and then the epistle is concluded with the salutation of the apostle, and the saints, and brethren with him, and with his usual benediction, Phi 4:21.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,.... The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, "with your spirit", as in Gal 6:18; and so the Alexandrian copy and some others read. This is the apostle's token in all his epistles of the genuineness of them, and which he wrote with his own hand, Th2 3:17; see Gill on Rom 16:22, Rom 16:24. Amen: with which all the epistles are concluded; see Gill on Rom 16:27. The subscription is, it was written to the Philippians from Rome, by Epaphroditus; that this epistle was written to the Philippians by the Apostle Paul, when he was a prisoner at Rome, and sent to them by Epaphroditus their minister, when he returned from him to them. Next: Colossians Introduction

"All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." He elevated them and strengthened them, by showing that his preaching had reached even to the king's household. For if those who were in the king's palace despised all things for the sake of the King of Heaven, far more ought they to do this. And this too was a proof of the love of Paul, and that he had told many things of them, and said great things of them, whence he had even led those who were in the palace to a longing for them, so that those who had never seen them saluted them. Especially because the faithful were then in affliction, his love was great. And those who were absent from each other were closely conjoined together as if real limbs. And the poor man was similarly disposed toward the rich, and the rich toward the poor, and there was no preeminence, in that they were all equally hated and cast out, and that for the same cause. For as, if captives taken from divers cities should arise and come to the same towns, they eagerly embrace each other, their common calamity binding them together; thus too at that time they had great love one toward another, the communion of their afflictions and persecutions uniting them.

He knew that the Philippians, unlike those addressed in his other letters, held to correct teaching. They had not been seduced by false apostles. He is here writing only a short letter of exhortation. He prays that “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” For if the Spirit dwells within them, they will respond rightly.

The letter to the Philippians was sent from Rome by the hand of Epaphroditus.

According to his custom, he concludes the epistle with a prayer. And he teaches at the same time to attribute to the grace of Christ whatever virtues they possess, and not to be puffed up by them. For only then will grace abide with them forever, if they do not become conceited. May there abound among us as well, by the grace of Christ, every other virtue, and especially the virtue of giving aid to others, so that we too, receiving benefit from assisting all those in need, and particularly those who suffer for God's sake, may enjoy the riches of His goodness. To Him be glory and dominion, now and ever and unto the ages. Amen.

Then he writes a greeting in his own hand: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The apostle exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord, Phi 4:1. And beseeches Euodias and Syntyche to be of one mind in Divine things, Phi 4:2. And requests his true yokefellow to help them to a good understanding, Phi 4:3. Gives them directions concerning their temper and frame of mind, Phi 4:4-7. And how to act in all respects as becomes the purity and excellence of the Gospel, as they had heard from and seen in him, Phi 4:8, Phi 4:9. Thanks them for their attention to him in his captivity, in sending him what was necessary for his support, though he had learned to be contented in all situations in life, Phi 4:10-14. Mentions particular cases in which they had ministered to him; promises them, through the riches of glory in Christ, a supply of all their spiritual wants; and renders thanks to God, Phi 4:15-20. Salutes all the saints, and those particularly of the emperor's household, Phi 4:21, Phi 4:22. And concludes with his usual apostolical benediction, Phi 4:23.

The grace of our Lord - The usual apostolical benediction, which has often occurred, and been more than once explained. See on Rom 1:7 (note), and Gal 6:18 (note). The word ἡμων, our, is omitted by many MSS. and several versions, which simply read, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be with you all - Instead of παντων, all, Πνευματος, Spirit, is the reading of ADEFG, several others, with the Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala; besides several of the Fathers. There are various subscriptions to this epistle in the different MSS. and versions. In the common Greek text it stands thus: It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus. The Epistle to the Philippians was written from Rome, and sent by Epaphroditus. - Syriac. To the Philippians. - Aethiopic. The end of the Epistle; it was written at Rome, and sent by Epaphroditus. - Arabic. To the Philippians by Timothy and Epaphroditus. - Coptic. 1. The MSS. generally agree with the versions, and all unite in stating that this epistle was written and sent from Rome, so that the common subscription may well stand. Yet there have been some strong objections made against this, as far as the place is concerned. Some foreign critics have maintained, that were it to be granted that the apostle was now a prisoner for the testimony of Christ, yet it does not follow that he was a prisoner at Rome, for he himself tells us, Co2 11:23, that he was in prisons more abundant; and, consequently, he might be in prison somewhere else: but they have gone farther, and denied that this epistle was written while Paul was a prisoner; affirming that he had been already liberated, and that of this there are several evidences in the epistle itself. J. Christopher Wolf, in his Curae, has considered all these objections in detail, and appears to have answered them in a very satisfactory manner. That St. Paul was now in prison, these words seem clearly to prove, Phi 1:16 : - The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. This strongly argues that he was then suffering imprisonment, and that certain persons of perverse minds preached the Gospel in such a way as was calculated to make his bonds still more grievous. And, as he sends the salutations of saints which were of Caesar's household, it seems most evident that he was then at Rome; as, had he been a prisoner in any of the provinces, it is not likely that he would send to Philippi the greetings of those who lived at Rome. 2. The cause of this imprisonment has been variously understood. Theodorus Metochita says it was in consequence of his having converted Nero's baker, and one of his concubines; at which the emperor, being enraged, ordered him to be cast into prison: but the authority on which this rests is scarcely sufficient to render it credible. 3. Paul is generally allowed to have been twice imprisoned at Rome: this was, without doubt, the first time of his being there in bonds, as there is every appearance that he was delivered after this; but his second imprisonment issued in his martyrdom. Every apostle of God is immortal till his work is done. Paul became a martyr when God saw that there was no farther need either for his preaching or his writing; he had kept and defended the faith, and had finished his course; God took him then from the evil to come; and crowned him with the glory which his Redeemer had provided for him, in reference to which he lived, and after which he had continually aspired. 4. Reader, be thankful to God, who, in pity to thy weakness, has called thee to believe and enjoy, and not to suffer for his sake. It is not for us to covet seasons of martyrdom; we find it difficult to be faithful even in ordinary trials: yet, as offenses may come, and times of sore trial and proof may occur, we should be prepared for them; and we should know that nothing less than Christ in us, the hope of glory, will enable us to stand in the cloudy and dark day. Let us, therefore, put on the whole armor of God; and, fighting under the Captain of our salvation, expect the speedy destruction of every inward foe; and triumph in the assurance that death, the last enemy, will, in his destructions, shortly be brought to a perpetual end. Hallelujah! The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Amen and Amen! Finished correction for the press, Dec. 16th, 1831. - A. C.

EXHORTATIONS: THANKS FOR THE SUPPLY FROM PHILIPPI: GREETING; AND CLOSING BENEDICTION. (Phi. 4:1-23) "Wherefore"; since we have such a glorious hope (Phi 3:20-21). dearly beloved--repeated again at the close of the verse, implying that his great love to them should be a motive to their obedience. longed for--"yearned after" in your absence (Phi 1:8). crown--in the day of the Lord (Phi 2:16; Th1 2:19). so--as I have admonished you. stand fast-- (Phi 1:27).

(Gal 6:18). be with you all. Amen--The oldest manuscripts read, "Be with your spirit," and omit "Amen." Next: Colossians Introduction