The Pulpit Commentary on Philippians 2:14-16

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The importance of a contented and peaceful habit of soul.

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings."

I. THE CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE OF AN UNMURMURING AND PEACEFUL SPIRIT.

1. Murmuring is here meant against God. It may arise

2. The disputings here meant point to those dissensions which war the peace of the Church. We ought to avoid disputings, because

II. THE OBJECT AND AIM OF SUCH A SPIRIT. "That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life." They were to be examples to the world of high Christian living.

1. Their lives were to be marked by a purity, a loftiness, a consistency, which would disarm the censure of the world. They were, as children of God, to present no spots upon which the eye of a critical generation might rest with a scorn for goodness.

2. Their lives were to be marked, not by a mere absence of fault, but by a conspicuous exhibition of all those positive graces that are identified with the full Tower of the Word of life.

III. THE ULTIMATE BEARING OF SUCH A SPIRIT UPON THE GLORYING OF THE APOSTLE. "That I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain, neither labor in vain."

1. It is possible even, for an apostle to lose his labor. It may be in vain to the people who refuse his message, but not to himself (Isaiah 49:4).

2. The ministry is a work of great toil and strain.

3. The conversion of souls will enhance the joys of heaven to the faithful minister.—T.C.

Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:18

The apostle's readings to sacrifice his life for the Philippians.

"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me."

I. MARK THE APOSTLE'S DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE PHILIPPIANS AND HIS INTENSE INTEREST IN THEIR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING. He considered not his life too dear a sacrifice to be made on their behalf.

II. MARK THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH WHICH COULD DEMAND SUCH A SACRIFICE.

III. THE PROSPECT OF MARTYRDOM IN SUCH A CAUSE OUGHT TO BE SUBJECT OF JOY ALIKE TO THE SUFFERER AND TO HIS DISCIPLES.—T.C.

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