Philippians 3:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Finally,—Rejoice— Some have apprehended here a contrast with ch. Philippians 2:25; Philippians 2:28 where the Apostle tells them he had sent Epaphroditus, that they might rejoice at his coming: as if he had said, "And now I add, that while you are rejoicing in him, I would have you rejoice in the Lord, discerning the interposition of Christ, in his being preserved and restored to you." In this connection, it might have made the conclusion of the second chapter: it however seems more naturally to introduce what follows, thus: "As for what remains, my brethren, let me exhort you, whatever may become of me, or of yourselves, so far as any worldly interest or prospect is concerned, that ye rejoice in the protection and care of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the promises and hopes given us by him. I have already insisted upon them with pleasure, (ch. Philippians 1:5-6; Philippians 1:10-11; Philippians 1:20, &c. ch. Philippians 2:5; Philippians 2:11.) and to write the same things to you, on such a topic, is not grievous to me, while it is both safe and necessary for you." Some think that the words, writing the same things, intimate that St. Paul had written a former Epistle to them, which is now lost; others suppose that they refer to what he had said to them formerly; and that he only gives some hints at these larger conversations in the following verses.