Not regarding his life,— Hazarding his life— Παραβουλευσαμενος, exposing his life to the utmost danger; as they did, who took care of people infected with the pestilence, and who were called parabolani, or parabolarii; or as they did, who fought with wild beasts. The next clause may be rendered, that he might complete [or fill up] the remainder [or residue] of your beneficence to me; that is to say supply me with your further contributions. See 1 Thessalonians 2:16. Colossians 1:24. 2 Corinthians 9:12. The Apostle considers them as disposed to have rendered him what service they could in person; but not having an opportunity to do it themselves, Epaphroditus was in this respect their proxy and representative.
Inferences.—We know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Few Christians, so called, are unacquainted with the remarkable phrases in which it is here expressed: but how few comparatively, seriously pause upon it, and labour to affect their hearts with its important meaning! And yet how engaging to all this is the matchless example of Christ! Though he was really God, possessed of the divine nature and perfections equally with the Father, and so had a rightful claim to all the honours of Deity; yet, in his infinite love and pity, he stooped so low as to assume human nature into personal union with himself; and in this nature, instead of shining forth in all the lustres of Godhead, he ordinarily concealed them, and, as it were, disrobed himself of them; and, appearing in the mean state of a servant, submitted to the lowest and severest course of obedience to his Father's will and law, till he finished it in the painful and shameful death of the cross.—Often let us contemplate this amazing object: often let us represent to our admiring, to our dissolving hearts, the Man Christ Jesus, extended there, and pouring forth his soul in agony and blood. As often let us remember his high original, his divine glories, in the eternal bosom of the Father. With pleasure let us reflect, that he having ennobled this low nature of ours by so intimate an union with his Divinity, God the Father has exalted his humanity, and given him in his Mediatorial capacity a name above every name, human or angelic, in the visible, or in all the different regions of the invisible world. Let our knees gladly bow to so amiable a Sovereign, and let us with pleasure view the approaching day, when every knee shall own his authority, and every tongue confess him Lord to the glory of God the Father.
In the mean time, let us never forget the purposes for which the Apostle has here called our meditations to these wonderful and instructive truths. It is to inculcate upon us (O may we ever inculcate it upon ourselves) that the same mind should always be in us that was also in him: that, if there be any consolation in such a Saviour, any comfort in such love as he teaches, any bowels of tenderness in human nature, any endearing fellowship in the one Spirit which we derive from him, we may with united hearts and hands be carrying on the one great business of his servants, working out our salvation with fear and trembling; avoiding every thing that may grieve and injure others, every thing that may discredit our holy profession. And if we be now made by him the children of God, may we shine with a bright steady flame, as lights in the world; and hold out, for the benefit of all around us, the word of life; as the gospel which redeems the faithful from the second death, and raises them to eternal life, may properly be called. May we spread its lustre through as wide a circle as possible, and with it that happiness, which nothing but a cordial belief of it and subjection to it can bring to the human heart.
Let us then learn, from these wise and pious exhortations of the Apostle, at once our duty and our dependence: our duty, to work out our own salvation; our dependance on the grace of him who worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. And therefore let us so seek divine grace, and rest upon it, as to exert with vigour and resolution the faculties which are to co-operate with it; and let us so endeavour to exert the faculties which God has given us, as to confide in divine grace, and rest continually upon it; without which we shall neither will nor do any thing pleasing to God, or available to our own salvation: for, in this sense, salvation is of the Lord, and through his blessing, which is upon his people. (Psalms 3:8.)
Again. To what sublime heights of piety and virtue does the hope of the gospel elevate the mind of mortal man! Behold this holy apostle, not only presenting himself as a resolute victim at the altar of God, but speaking of that stroke by which his blood was to be poured out, as an occasion of joy, and calling for the congratulation of his friends upon it! Behold him with pleasure resigning the society of those who were dearest and most useful to him, at a time when he seemed most of all to need their assistance; even that of a friend, who would most naturally care for their estate, when he knew none that were like-minded! And O that this might be the character of all the ministers of Christ, naturally, by a second, a divine nature, as a mother for her child, with genuine affection, to care for the state of those committed to them, not by constraint, but from a principle of love, which will make all necessary labours easy. But alas! how much reason is there to lament the prevalency of a contrary disposition among all ranks of men, the sacred order itself not excepted!
What ingratitude does this argue, yea, what stupid insensibility, that any thing, that every thing, should be dearer to us, than the interest of that Saviour who purchased us to himself with his blood! Happy they, who are distinguished by their fidelity and their zeal, in a time of prevailing apostacy! How beautiful a description does the Apostle here give of the piety and humility of young Timothy, while serving with him as a son with a father in the gospel. Thus let young and aged ministers behave to each other, as fathers and sons; the young paying the elder such reverend regards, the aged affording to the younger such kind and tender patronage, and shewing a solicitous concern to prepare them for filling up their place in the church with increasing advantage.
Some obvious instruction arises from what is here said of good Epaphroditus, whose affection to his Christian friends was so ardent, and whose zeal for the work of Christ had even endangered his life. Great reason is there to hold such, wherever they are found, in high esteem, tenderly to sympathize with them, earnestly to entreat God for them, if at any time diseases threaten their useful lives; and to own the mercy of God, not to them only but to us, when he is pleased to raise them up, and restore them to a capacity of ministering in his church. And let us go back in our memories to the days and weeks of dangerous sickness which any of us have known, and humble ourselves before God, that we have no better improved for his glory, and for the good of his church, his mercy to us, in bringing us up from the gates of the grave.
REFLECTIONS.—1st. By every endearing argument the Apostle exhorts his Philippian brethren:
1. To love unity and humility. If there be any consolation in Christ (παρακλησις); if my exhortation has any weight, and you experience any joy in the Redeemer; if there be any comfort of love, from the sense of the love of God shed abroad in your hearts; if there be any fellowship of the Spirit, in mutual union and complacence in each other, or, though the Holy Ghost, with God the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ; if there be any bowels and mercies, in the gracious Saviour towards you; or if you have ever felt the like tender compassions one towards another; if it be most desirable to abound in all these things, and you have already known their value and excellence, fulfil ye my joy; and continue to give me this highest satisfaction in you, that ye be like-minded, animated as by one soul; leaving the same love one towards another as the members of the same body; being of one accord, unanimous in desire and design to promote the Redeemer's glory, and the salvation of men's souls; and of one mind, holding the same principles and sentiments according to the purity of the gospel. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; affect no pre-eminence, dispute not for applause, nor speak or act under a contentious spirit; but in lowliness of mind, the great ornament of the Christian character, let each esteem other better than themselves; entertaining lowly thoughts of their own attainments, conscious of their manifold infirmities, and entertaining the best opinion of their brethren. Look not every man on his own things, to admire himself, or pursue his own selfish ends, his ease, honour, or worldly advantage; but every man also on the things of others; not as busy-bodies, to pry into them censoriously, but desiring to promote their real good, and from the view of their excellencies, to be humble in their own eyes.
2. He enforces his exhortation with the most powerful argument—the example of the blessed Jesus. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, even that lowliness which in him was so eminently exemplified; who, being in the form of God, possessing every essential perfection of the divine nature, the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his Person, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, and justly to claim a parity with the Father in uncreated glory: but, in infinite condescension and pity towards us, he made himself of no reputation, laying aside the splendour of his divine Majesty, and took upon him the form of a servant, assuming the human nature in the lowest condition; and was made in the likeness of men, having the same reasonable soul and human flesh, the corruption of our nature only excepted. And being found in fashion as a man, in all things made like unto man, sin excepted, he humbled himself before God and man, through a life of affliction, and at last became obedient unto death, for us men and for our salvation, even the death of the cross, that most painful, ignominious, and accursed death; submitting thereunto, that he might bear our sins in his own body on the tree. Wherefore, having finished the work which the Father had given him to do, to his fullest satisfaction, God also hath highly exalted him, in his human nature, to the Mediatorial throne, as the reward of his sufferings, and given him a name which is above every name, all power, authority, and dominion being given to him over every creature; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and divine honours be paid to the Incarnate Son; of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; by angels and men, and every intelligent creature; yea, even devils must be compelled to own his glory; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, the universal Sovereign, to the glory of God the Father; who has thus exalted him, as man, to the throne of majesty on high, for the purposes of his own glory. Note; (1.) The example of our Lord should be ever before us; and that, if any thing can, will suppress the workings of pride. (2.) The love of a crucified Jesus should warm our hearts, and knit them in closest union to each other.
2nd, The Apostle proceeds in his exhortations:
1. To Christian diligence. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, and therefore I entertain a strong hope concerning you, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, giving all diligence to make your calling and election sure, in the use of every appointed means, jealous over your deceitful hearts, and watchful against every thing that might offend the Father of mercies, whose love you have tasted; for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure; it is his grace—it is his Spirit—it is his divine power, which worketh every thing that is good in the penitent and believing soul.
2. To an exemplary conversation, such as may confound their enemies, and comfort him, their faithful servant, under all his sufferings. Do all things without murmurings and disputings, content under every providential dispensation, and studiously avoiding every occasion of contention among yourselves; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, and behave so irreproachably, that your most malignant accusers may have no evil thing justly to say of you: for ye dwell in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation; the keen eyes of your enemies are open, and they wait for your halting; gladly would they catch at any thing which might countenance them in their iniquities: among whom ye shine as lights in the world; your bright examples, like suns in your several spheres, darting unwelcome light upon the workers of wickedness, and shining to the glory of God; holding forth the word of life, even the blessed gospel, both in your lips and in your conduct, holding it fast in all fidelity, holding it up with all zeal and boldness, if, under God, it may be blest to illumine the darkness of those around you, and bring them to the light of life; or, at least, to leave them inexcusable in their impenitence. And this will be a singular satisfaction to me, when I find that I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain, but behold in you such blessed effects of my ministry, and that all my conflicts are crowned with success. Yea, and if I be offered up on the sacrifice and service of your faith, and should now be called as a victim to bleed in confirmation of the gospel which I preach, far from being intimidated with the prospect, I joy and rejoice with you all, congratulating you, and happy in myself, that I am counted worthy of the crown of martyrdom, and enabled to leave so powerful a testimony behind me, for the strengthening of your faith. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me; and, far from being grieved, or disheartened, exult that I am enabled to be thus faithful unto death. Note; (1.) Every Christian is a city set on a hill; he needs peculiar circumspection; a flaw in his conduct will be exaggerated into a fault of the first magnitude. (2.) We must hold up to the world, in our profession and examples, the word of life; not ostentatiously proclaiming our own goodness, but, for God's glory, or the profit of men's souls, shewing our light before men. (3.) Nothing can more revive a minister's heart, or make him so cheerfully content to suffer for the cause, even to death, as seeing his labours successful, and his ministry blest.
3rdly, Since he was now unable to visit them himself, he promises to send them two of his dearest friends to supply his absence, and speaks of them in the highest terms of regard and commendation.
1. He mentions Timothy. Though he had spoken of his readiness to die, he informs them, for their comfort, that he apprehended no immediate danger. But I trust, says he, in the Lord Jesus, that I shall be delivered; and that, needful as his company is now to me, I shall be able to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state, and hear of your prosperity. For I have no man like-minded, so perfectly united in sentiment with me, and so in affection knit to you; who will therefore naturally care for your state, and, with genuine regard, desire to advance the good of your souls. For all here, too generally at least, seek their own, desirous of ease and earthly advantages; not with a single eye, as Timothy does, pursuing the things which are Jesus Christ's, for his glory, and the edification of his people. But ye know the proof of him, by past experience, with what zeal and fidelity he laboured among you; and that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel, willing to run all hazards, to share my fatigues and sufferings, and in all duty and affection obeying me as a child. Him therefore I hope to find presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me, after I have appeared, as I shortly expect to do, at Caesar's tribunal: but I trust in the Lord, that I also myself shall come shortly, when I have regained my liberty. Note; (1.) They who enter the ministry with selfish views, seeking their own things, not those of Jesus Christ, shall bear their burden, when the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls appears. (2.) A faithful pastor feels the same tender concern for the children that he has begotten in the gospel, as if they were the offspring of his own body.
2. He commends to them Epaphroditus, who brought this Epistle to them. Yet I supposed it necessary, being unable to come myself, or to spare Timothy just at this critical juncture, to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, who willingly served and suffered in the same blessed cause; but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants; delivering your kind benefactions, and giving me every assistance which lay in his power. For he longed after you all, and earnestly wished to be labouring again among you; and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick; knowing how deeply the sad news would affect you. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death; his disease, to human view, mortal and desperate: but God had mercy on him, and brought him back from the gates of the grave; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow, anguish for his loss being added to my other burdens. I sent him therefore the more carefully, and with greater haste, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice in his recovery and return to you; and that I may be the less sorrowful at his departure, when I know what delight and advantage his company will be to you. Receive him therefore in the Lord, with all gladness, with cordial regard, and as the ambassador of the Redeemer; and hold such in reputation, highly respecting them for their fidelity and zeal; because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, having contracted his illness from the fatigues that he underwent, not regarding his life, but readily hazarding his health, to supply your lack of service toward me, which the distance rendered you incapable of affording me. Note; (1.) Though we must not carelessly neglect our health, yet, when the cause of Christ demands it, a faithful minister will shew a noble contempt of life, and be ready to expose himself to disease or death. (2.) They who know the value of a faithful minister, will count it a singular mercy that he is longer spared to labour, and will rejoice in him before God.