Bible Commentaries
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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The Spiritual Warfare. (a. d. 61.)
THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE. (A. D. 61.) Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the common cala…
The Conclusion. (a. d. 61.)
THE CONCLUSION. (A. D. 61.) Here, I. He desires their prayers for him, Ephesians 6:19. Having mentioned supplication for all saints, he puts himself into the number. We must pray for all saints, and particularly for God…
Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 62.)
APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. (A. D. 62.) We have here the inscription and benediction. Observe, I. The persons writing the epistle—Paul and Timotheus. Though Paul was alone divinely inspired, he joins Timothy with himself, to…
The Apostle's Thankfulness and Joy. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S THANKFULNESS AND JOY. (A. D. 62.) The apostle proceeds after the inscription and benediction to thanksgiving for the saints at Philippi. He tells them what it was he thanked God for, upon their account. Ob…
The Apostle's Affection and Hope. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S AFFECTION AND HOPE. (A. D. 62.) The apostle expresses the ardent affection he had for them, and his concern for their spiritual welfare: I have you in my heart, Philippians 1:7. He loved them as his own so…
The Apostle's Affection and Hope. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S AFFECTION AND HOPE. (A. D. 62.) These verses contain the prayers he put up for them. Paul often let his friends know what it was he begged of God for them, that they might know what to beg for themselves a…
The Apostle's Success and Joy. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S SUCCESS AND JOY. (A. D. 62.) We see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their being offended at his sufferings. He was now a prisoner at Rome; this might be a stumbling-block to those who had receiv…
The Apostle's Generous Exultation. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S GENEROUS EXULTATION. (A. D. 62.) We have here an account of the life and death of blessed Paul: his life was Christ, and his death was gain. Observe, 1. It is the undoubted character of every good Christia…
The Apostle's Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S EXHORTATIONS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle concludes the chapter with two exhortations:— I. He exhorts them to strictness of conversation (Philippians 1:27): Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel…
Brotherly Love Recommended; Glory and Condescension of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
BROTHERLY LOVE RECOMMENDED; GLORY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST. (A. D. 62.) The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely to li…
Practical Religion. (a. d. 62.)
PRACTICAL RELIGION. (A. D. 62.) I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian course: Work out your own salvation. It is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9), and our eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:…
Practical Religion. (a. d. 62.)
PRACTICAL RELIGION. (A. D. 62.) The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances. 1. By a cheerful obedience to the commands of God (P…
Praise of Timothy and Epaphroditus. (a. d. 62.)
PRAISE OF TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS. (A. D. 62.) Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was himself a great apostle, and laboured more abundantly than they all, yet he took all occasions to spe…
Description of True Christians. (a. d. 62.)
DESCRIPTION OF TRUE CHRISTIANS. (A. D. 62.) It seems the church of the Philippians, though a faithful and flourishing church, was disturbed by the judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to keep up the law of Moses, and mix…
False Confidence Renounced. (a. d. 62.)
FALSE CONFIDENCE RENOUNCED. (A. D. 62.) The apostle here proposes himself for an example of trusting in Christ only, and not in his privileges as an Israelite. I. He shows what he had to boast of as a Jew and a Pharisee…
The Apostle's Concern, Hope, and Aim. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE'S CONCERN, HOPE, AND AIM. (A. D. 62.) We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. He had his heart on these two great p…
Warnings and Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us…
The Apostle Urges His Own Example. (a. d. 62.)
THE APOSTLE URGES HIS OWN EXAMPLE. (A. D. 62.) He closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations. I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and evil teachers (Philippians 3:18-19): Many walk, of who…
Various Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
VARIOUS EXHORTATIONS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle begins the chapter with exhortations to divers Christian duties. I. To stedfastness in our Christian profession, Philippians 4:1. It is inferred from the close of the forego…
Kindness Acknowledged; Christian Contentment. (a. d. 62.)
KINDNESS ACKNOWLEDGED; CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT. (A. D. 62.) In these verses we have the thankful grateful acknowledgment which the apostle makes of the kindness of the Philippians in sending him a present for his support,…
Conclusion. (a. d. 62.)
CONCLUSION. (A. D. 62.) The apostle concludes the epistle in these verses, 1. With praises to God: Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever, Amen, Philippians 4:20. Observe, (1.) God is to be considered by…
Inscription and Apostolical Benediction. (a. d. 62.)
INSCRIPTION AND APOSTOLICAL BENEDICTION. (A. D. 62.) I. The inscription of this epistle is much the same with the rest; only it is observable that, 1. He calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. An a…
Paul's Thanksgiving for the Colossians. (a. d. 62.)
PAUL'S THANKSGIVING FOR THE COLOSSIANS. (A. D. 62.) Here he proceeds to the body of the epistle, and begins with thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them, though he had no personal acquaintance with the…
Paul's Prayer for the Colossians. (a. d. 62.)
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease…