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Scott's Reference Library
December 7, 2003 | December 10, 2006 | December 6, 2009
Philippians 1:3 through Philippians 1:11 (NIV)
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of
you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the
first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in
you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my
heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of
you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you
with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and
depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be
pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-7
The highest honour of the most eminent ministers is, to be servants of Christ.
And those who are not really saints on earth, never will be saints in heaven.
Out of Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God.
There is no peace without grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of Divine
favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain
and origin of all blessings. At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw
little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. We must thank
our God for the graces and comforts, gifts and usefulness of others, as we
receive the benefit, and God receives the glory. The work of grace will never be
perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the day of his appearance. But we may
always be confident God will perform his good work, in every soul wherein he has
really begun it by regeneration; though we must not trust in outward
appearances, nor in any thing but a new creation to holiness. People are dear to
their ministers, when they receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers
in the cause of God should be dear one to another.
VERSES 8-11
Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who
abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may
approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are
excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind.
Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it
is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence,
and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which
most honour God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any
good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge,
and fruitfulness should not satisfy any.