If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
The "therefore" implies that he is here expanding the exhortation (Philippians 1:27), "In one spirit, with one mind" (soul). Four influencing motives in this verse, to inculcate the four Christian duties corresponding respectively (Philippians 2:2): 'That ye be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind.'
(1) 'If there be (with you, as I assume) any consolation in Christ;'
i.e., any consolation (but Ellicott, to avoid tautology, "comfort" following, translates х parakleesis (G3874)] "exhortation," Romans 12:8) of which Christ is the source, leading you to console me in my afflictions, borne for Christ's sake, ye ought to grant my request, "that ye be like minded" (Chrysostom). (2) 'If there be any comfort of (i:e., flowing from) love.' the adjunct of "consolation in Christ."
(3) 'If any fellowship of (joint participation of) the Spirit' (2 Corinthians 13:14). As pagans meant those who were of one village, and drank of one fountain, how much greater is the union which conjoins those who drink of the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
(4) 'If any bowels (tender emotions) and mercies' (compassions, Colossians 3:12), the adjuncts of "fellowship of the spirit."
The first and third mark the objective sources of the Christian life-Christ and the Spirit; the second and fourth, the subjective principle in believers. The opposites of the two pairs into which the four fall are reprobated, Philippians 2:3-4.