Bible Commentaries
Philippians 1

Verse 1

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

This single epistle infinitely transcends all the wisdom of the world. And it gives us a specimen how Christians ought to treat of secular affairs from higher principles.

Paul a prisoner of Christ — To whom, as such, Philemon could deny nothing.

And Timotheus — This was written before the second epistle to Timothy, Philippians 22.

Verse 2

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

To Apphia — His wife, to whom also the business in part belonged.

And the church in thy house — The Christians who meet there.

Verse 4

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

With joy — After the epistle to the Ephesians, wherein love reigns, follows this, wherein there is perpetual mention of joy. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy." And joy peculiarly enlivens prayer. The sum of the whole epistle is, I rejoice. Rejoice ye.

Verse 5

Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Hearing — Probably from Onesimus.

Verse 6

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

I pray that the communication of thy faith may become effectual - That is, that thy faith may be effectually communicated to others, who see and acknowledge thy piety and charity.

Verse 7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

The saints — To whom Philemon’s house was open, Philippians 2.

Verse 8

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

I might be bold in Christ — Through the authority he hath given me.

Verse 9

Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Yet out of love I rather entreat thee — In how handsome a manner does the apostle just hint, and immediately drop, the consideration of his power to command, and tenderly entreat Philemon to hearken to his friend, his aged friend, and now prisoner for Christ! With what endearment, in the next verse, does he call Onesimus his son, before he names his name! And as soon as he had mentioned it, with what fine address does he just touch on his former faults, and instantly pass on to the happy change that was now made upon him! So disposing Philemon to attend to his request, and the motives wherewith he was going to enforce it.

Verse 10

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Whom I have begotten in my bonds — The son of my age.

Verse 11

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Now profitable — None should be expected to be a good servant before he is a good man. He manifestly alludes to his name, Onesimus, which signifies profitable.

Verse 12

Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Receive him, that is, my own bowels — Whom I love as my own soul. Such is the natural affection of a father in Christ toward his spiritual children.

Verse 13

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

To serve me in thy stead — To do those services for me which thou, if present, wouldest gladly have done thyself.

Verse 14

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

That thy benefit might not be by constraint — For Philemon could not have refused it.

Verse 15

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

God might permit him to be separated (a soft word) for a season, that thou mightest have him for ever - Both on earth and in heaven.

Verses 15-16

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Some indeed preach Christ out of contention — Envying St. Paul’s success, and striving to hurt him thereby.

Not sincerely — From a real desire to glorify God.

But supposing — Though they were disappointed. To add more affliction to my bonds - By enraging the Romans against me.

Verse 16

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

In the flesh — As a dutiful servant.

In the Lord — As a fellow-Christian.

Verse 17

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

If thou accountest me a partner — So that thy things are mine, and mine are thine.

Verse 18

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

In pretence — Under colour of propagating the gospel.

In truth — With a real design so to do.

Verse 19

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

I will repay it — If thou requirest it.

Not to say, that then owest me thyself — It cannot be expressed, how great our obligation is to those who have gained our souls to Christ.

Beside — Receiving Onesimus.

Verse 20

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Refresh my bowels in Christ — Give me the most exquisite and Christian pleasure.

Verse 21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

To me to live is Christ — To know, to love, to follow Christ, is my life, my glory, my joy.

Verse 22

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Given to you — Restored to liberty.

Verse 23

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

To depart — Out of bonds, flesh, the world.

And to be with Christ — In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.

Verse 25

And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

I know — By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. That I shall continue some time longer with you - And doubtless he did see them after this confinement.

Verse 27

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Only — Be careful for this, and nothing else.

Stand fast in one spirit — With the most perfect unanimity.

Striving together — With united strength and endeavours.

For the faith of the gospel — For all the blessings revealed and promised therein.

Verse 28

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Which — Namely, their being adversaries to the word of God, and to you the messengers of God.

Is an evident token — That they are in the high road to perdition; and you, in the way of salvation.

Verse 29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

For to you it is given — As a special token of God’s love, and of your being in the way of salvation.

Verse 30

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Having the same kind of conflict with your adversaries, which ye saw in me - When I was with you, Acts 16:12; Acts 16:19, etc.