The Cleveland Commentary on Philippians

The Cleveland Bible Commentary

Philippians (NIV)

By Syd Cleveland

Use of The Cleveland Commentary is FREE (see notice below).

Information about purchasing this commentary in electronic form is available at

www.christiancommunitychurch.us/clevelandcommentary/

Please click your mouse on the appropriate chapter below. To return to the chapter menu from anywhere

within this book, press the CTRL and HOME keys on your keyboard at the same time.

You may search this Commentary by pressing the CTRL and F keys together and following the prompts.

CHAPTERS: 1 2 3 4

NOTICE! Permission to use The Cleveland Bible Commentary in your personal study is freely given, however this Commentary is not in the public domain. The author retains all copyrights © and ownership of this commentary, world wide. This means you cannot copy, revise, change, republish, or distribute The Cleveland Bible Commentary in any way, including electronically, except as provided here. Nor may you use it in any manner other than for your own personal study, except as stated here, without my written permission. You may quote from The Cleveland Bible Commentary in materials used in your personal teaching at educational institutions, including churches and Bible classes sponsored by your church, as long as the quotation does not exceed twenty-five percent of the entire Cleveland Bible Commentary verse notes on any single chapter. For example, this means if I comment on twenty-four verses in Matthew chapter 19, you may directly quote my comments on six verses of your choice in Matthew 19 without requesting permission.

When quoting, please include the following credit line: “Quoted from The Cleveland Bible Commentary, by Syd Cleveland, located at: http://www.christiancommunitychurch.us/ClevelandCommentary/Index.html. Thank you for being considerate in this matter.

Phil 1:1

SAINTS = Greek "hagios" (Strongs #G40) meaning "those who are purified and sanctified by the influences of the Spirit.” “Hagios” has the connotation of being set apart or consecrated (see Christ’s words in John 17:14-16). This “other-worldliness” is assumed of all who profess the Christian name, and applies to all who live as Christians.

IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13); and we remain "in Christ" by holding firmly to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

Phil 1:6

HE WHO BEGAN ... WILL CARRY IT ON = Our salvation is God's work in us (see Philippians 2:13). Our assurance is that the same God who began our salvation "will carry it on to completion."

Phil 1:9

IN KNOWLEDGE = See commentary on 2 Peter 1:3.

Phil 1:10

MAY BE PURE AND BLAMELESS = This state is not the result of our works, but of God's work in us (see note on Philippians 1:6).

Phil 1:13

THE WHOLE PALACE GUARD = These were known as the Praetorian Guard who were bodyguards for the Emperor and his family. The largest contingent of the Praetorian Guard lived near the Emperor's residence in Rome. Some of these had become Christians (see Philippians 4:22).

Phil 1:14

THE WORD OF GOD = This phrase is used throughout Scripture to mean:

(1) a prophecy or directive from God to a prophet [1 Chronicles 17:3-4; Luke 3:2];

(2) the entire cannon of Scripture [Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 15:6];

(3) the spoken word/preaching [Acts 4:31; 6:2-4];

(4) the "sword of the Spirit" [Ephesians 6:17];

(5) "Christ in you, the hope of glory" [Colossians 1:25-27];

(6) literally the word from God [1 Thessalonians 2:13].

(7) In John 10:35, "the word of God" is synonymous with "the Scripture."

(8) In Acts 6:7; 8:14, "the word of God" is synonymous with Christianity.

(9) In Revelation 19:13 "the Word of God" is a title for Jesus Christ.

Phil 1:22

IF I AM TO GO ON LIVING IN THE BODY = In a theological sense, Paul's reference to "I" is speaking of the "breath of life" which is the second component of a human (see Genesis 2:7). The "breath of life" is variously referred to in Scripture as: mind, soul, spirit, life, et cetera.

Phil 1:23

DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST = The Greek "analuo" (Strongs #G360) means "to break up, depart." It was used to describe the untying of ropes holding a ship to a dock so the ship could sail away. Here Paul uses this idea of "cutting the ties" to metaphorically to speak about death. Death is the tearing apart of body and soul (Psalm 104:29). As both the previous verse (Philippians 1:22) and the next verse indicate (Philippians 1:24) Paul's use of "depart" meant to depart the body (i.e. his immortal soul departing his body at death). Thus the context makes it clear that Paul anticipated "being with Christ" as soon as he died.

Paul addresses a second subject in Philippians 3:10-11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. There the subject is the resurrection of the body. However, here in Philippians 1:22-24, Paul is very clear that he expects to be with Christ the moment he dies, even though the resurrection of his body comes at a later time. For a slightly different concept see 2 Peter 1:15.

Phil 1:24

THAT I REMAIN IN THE BODY = See note on Philippians 1:23. Compare this with King David's life after death experience in Psalm 116:3-15.

Phil 1:28

DESTROYED = The Greek "apoleia" (Strongs #G684) means "perdition, ruin, full destruction." Also see John 17:12; Philippians 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8, 11.

"In the New Testament, 'apoleia' refers to the state after death wherein exclusion from salvation is a realized fact, wherein man, instead of becoming what he might have been, is lost and ruined. ... (It is) the second death which is eternal exclusion from Christ's kingdom. (It applies to ) one determined to remain spiritually lost. ... 'Apoleia' and the verb 'apollumi (Strongs #G622), (meaning) to destroy, lose, perish, must never be construed as meaning extinction. One dies physically when his spirit and his body separate. Neither the body becomes extinct, nor the spirit. The body decomposes and ceases to exist in the form it was. Its constituent parts, however, continue to exist in a noncohesive form. The spirit takes a new existence, separate from its previous existence joined with the body." -- The Complete WordStudy Dictionary, New Testament, by Zodhiates, p. 246

Phil 2:1

Phil 2:3

SELFISH AMBITION = Greek "eritheia" meaning "a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means, a self-seeking rivalry." The words "strife, contentiousness, selfishness, and selfish ambition in all cases gives a sense that is just as good and perhaps better" (Arndt & Gingrich).

VAIN CONCEIT = Greek "kenodoxia" (Strongs #G2754) meaning "vanity, conceit, excessive ambition." The Christian is not to claim a great position for himself and assert his claim against all others.

HUMILITY = Greek "tapeinophrosune" (Strongs #G5012) literally means "humble minded." Each Christian is to be conscious of his own defects and his on-going need of God's grace.

BETTER = Greek "huperecho" (Strongs #G5242) meaning "to hold above, be superior to, better than." It is highly likely that others in Christianity are "better" than we are. Selfishness and arrogance are two evils to be resisted in the life of every Christian.

Phil 2:4

YOUR OWN INTERESTS = Greek "heautou" (Strongs #G1438) meaning "your own." Operative word here is "only" -- the Christian life is a constant balance between the inward (our own interests) and the outward (the interests of others).

Phil 2:6

BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD = The Greek “morphe” (Strongs #G3444) means “form, shape, something that can be observed.” This same word is used in Philippians 2:7 to explain that not only did Christ have the same divine nature as our Heavenly Father, but He also had the same human nature that we have. The divine Christ no more “pretended” to have a human nature than He “pretended” to have a divine nature – for He was truly the “God-man” (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14).

A more comprehensive commentary on “morphe” appears in Philippians 2:7. Also see Hebrews 2:14.

EQUALITY WITH GOD = The Greek “isos” (Strongs #G2470) means “equality, the same in amount or kind, equal to.” Here it means Jesus is equal to God in the nature, quality, quantity and dignity of His divinity, both before, after, and during His Incarnation.

Phil 2:7

THE VERY NATURE … LIKENESS = The Greek “morphe” (Strongs #G3444) means “form, shape, something that can be observed.” The Greek “homoioma” (Strongs #G3667) means “likeness, to make like, resemblance.” See note on Philippians 2:6. Also see John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14.

“’Morphe’ in Philippians 2:6–8 presumes an objective reality. No one could be in the form (‘morphe’) of God who was not God. However, ‘morphe’ is not the shaping of pure thought. It is the utterance of the inner life, a life that bespeaks the existence of God. He who had been in ‘morphe Theoú’, in the form of God, from eternity (John 17:5) took at His incarnation the ‘morphe doúlou (doúlos [Strongs #G1401), servant)’, a form of a servant. The fact that Jesus continued to be God during His state of humiliation is demonstrated by the present participle ‘hupárcho’, “being” in the form of God. ‘Hupárcho’ (Strongs #G5225) involves continuing to be that which one was before. Nothing appeared that was not an objective reality from the beginning. In His incarnation, Jesus took upon Himself the form (‘morphe’) of a servant by taking upon Himself the shape (‘schemma’) of man. The ‘schemma’, shape or fashion, is the outward form having to do not only with His essential being, but also with His appearance. The eternal, infinite form of God took upon Himself flesh (John 1:1a, 14a). See the Septuagint on Dan. 4:36; 5:6, 9, 10.” – The Complete WordStudy Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG

“In Philippians 2:6–8, three synonymous words occur: (A) The first word is ‘morphem’ (Strongs #G3444), form or inward identifiable existence. Christ’s identification as God in heaven is clear, “Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God [He was not made equal to God but that He always was of the same essence as God and of the same rank {cf. John 1:18}]” (Philippians. 2:6). No person could be in the form of God and not be God. In Philippians 2:7, the Greek text simply says, “But He emptied Himself.” When the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to the Samaritan woman in John 4:24, He revealed that the nature of God is Spirit. This is the eternal form of God which Jesus Christ always had and never gave up.

“In His incarnation, however, He voluntarily took on the form of a man and His humanity was fully recognized by men on earth. While He lived on earth as the God–Man, He was simultaneously the Son of God in heaven. In other words, He did not empty Himself of His divine perfections nor of the essence of His being, but He emptied Himself into a life of humiliation that was itself emptied into death.

“(B) The second word that is used in Phil. 2:7 is ‘homoíoma’, ‘But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness [homoíoma] of men.’ Paul declares here that Jesus Christ, whose essential preincarnate form was spirit (‘pneúma’ [Strongs #G4151]), emptied Himself and took upon Himself the form of man. But His was, as Romans 8:3 says, not the flesh of sin, but sinless flesh. He became man so that He could die for the sin of man. It was as the Son of God that Christ become the Son of Man, He never ceasing to be the Son of God. This is made clear by what the Lord Jesus said to the Father in John 17:5 just before His crucifixion: ‘And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory [‘dóxa’ {Strongs #G1391}] which I had with thee before the world was.” This glory of His proper recognition as the Son which he had before His incarnation was not attributed to Him by sinful man while He lived on earth.

“(C) The third word that occurs in the Philippian passage (verse 8) is ‘schemma’ (Strongs #G4976), form, fashion. It refers here to the physical form that Jesus took. ‘Schemma’ is more closely related to ‘homoíoma’, likeness, than to ‘morphe’, form or substance, essence. ‘And being found in fashion [‘schemmati’, sing. dat. of ‘schemma’] as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The Lord Jesus did not deliver His divine nature to man to kill; His spirit could not be killed. His enemies, failing to recognize His deity, found ‘a man.’ This one they killed, not knowing that He was indeed the God–Man. Even so, the Apostle Paul tells us that the only reason they could kill Him was that ‘He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto [until] death, even the death of the cross.’” – The Complete WordStudy Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG

Also see Hebrews 2:14.

Phil 2:9

THEREFORE = Refers back to Christ's sacrificial death on Calvary (Philippians 2:8).

GOD EXALTED HIM = This exaltation of Jesus Christ after His ascension was foretold by Daniel 7:13-14.

HIGHEST PLACE ... NAME = As Christ continues His work of redemption on through to the destruction of the last "enemy" death at His Second Coming (1 Corinthians 15:27, 28) He exercises the highest authority. Jehovah's Witnesses try to blunt this statement by quoting Philippians 2:11 "to the glory of the Father." Their point is that Christ is only given a place of eminence "to the glory of the Father," thus Christ is really lower than the Father. Of course this reasoning totally twists Philippians 2:9, 10 that "God exalted Him to the highest place, and at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth." It was to God's "glory" to step down and give Christ the highest place. If the name "Jesus" is above every name as Scripture says, then it is above the name "Jehovah." And if every knee in heaven bows to Christ as Scripture says, then "every knee" includes the Father. Anything else is to mock the words of Scripture.

Phil 2:10

AT THE NAME OF JESUS = Not at the name of "Jehovah" as the JWs teach. The Jehovah Witnesses’ illogical fetish with the name “Jehovah” – a name which does not exist in Scripture – is simply not Biblical.

EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW = Similar to the statement that Jesus is "Lord of all" (Acts 10:36). This is evidence of the ultimate authority Jesus exercises as He continues His work of redemption.

IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH = Christ's domain is universal. Nowhere is there any place, creature, or being that is not subservient to Christ.

Phil 2:11

EVERY TONGUE = In harmony with Philippians 2:9, 10 there is no "tongue" excluded from worshiping Christ. Without exception Christ is Lord over all.

TO THE GLORY OF THE FATHER = It was the Father who gave Christ (John 3:16) and who works with Christ for the redemption of mankind. It is His glory to see Christ complete the work of redemption and receive the honor and worship due Him. In exalting Christ to the "highest place" and giving "Him the name that is above every name," (Philippians 2:9) the Father has voluntarily subjected Himself to Christ. One cannot turn over the scepter to another and yet continue to be king!

Jehovah’s Witnesses twist this text by emphasizing the phrase “to the glory of God.” They say that Jesus is working for God’s glory, and thus God is supreme. However this is a direct contradiction of the statements in verses 9-11 that God has given Jesus “the highest place” and the “name that is above every name” so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Jesus cannot have the “highest place” is God is “higher than Him.” The name “Jesus” cannot be the “name above every name” if the name “Jehovah” is higher. And God cannot be above Jesus if “every knee in heaven” bows to Him. The plain Bible fact is, it was the Father’s “glory” to elevate His Son to the highest place. And once the Father turned over the scepter to His Son, He no longer “rules over” His Son. We have a similar picture in the political arena: George Bush the first was President of the United States of America. Later, his son, George Bush the second became President of the United States of America. Once the presidency passed to the son, the father no longer had political authority over his son. George Bush the first’s presidency was in no way diminished by his son’s presidency. And it was to the father’s glory to see his son ascend to the highest political office in the land. The Jehovah’s Witness argument simply consists of twisting Scripture in order to maintain their non-Biblical, anti-Trinitarian doctrines.

Phil 2:12

WORK OUT = The Greek "katergazomai" (Strongs #G2716) means "to continue a task until it is finished." In other words, to continue cooperating with God as He "works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13 and 1:6).

"'Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling' writes Paul to the Philippians, apparently espousing an active view of the Christian life. Yet, with no pause, he goes on: 'for [because] God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.' Now if you had only the words in the second part of the sentence, you might conclude that a Christian should be passive in the hands of a God who actively worked within him. And notice, God not only makes a man do what God wants, but God also actually makes the decision inside him -- that is, causes him to will (see note on verse 13)." -- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson, page 24.

YOUR SALVATION = Here the Greek "soteria" (Strongs #G4991) means "deliverance from sin, salvation." What is at issue here is sanctification rather than justification.

WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING = In other words, with great seriousness of purpose. For a Christian, salvation (justification) is assured because it depends upon God's work for us and in us (see Philippians 3:9). However, growing to maturity in Christ (sanctification) is a serious matter of love and loyalty requiring our sincere desire and cooperation.

Phil 2:13

IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU = We cannot find an excuse for our sins by saying: "Well, Jesus wasn't like us, He was part divine -- therefore He had an advantage over us," for the same God who worked in Christ to produce His sinlessness works in us to give us victory over sin. Furthermore, Christ did not use His divinity to overcome sin because He put off (i.e. voluntarily relinquished the use of) His divine nature in the Incarnation (Philippians 2:5-8).

In sanctification there is both a working "in" us ("God who works in you") and a working "out" wherein our external lives are changed as a result of His internal work inside of us (Philippians 2:12).

"We are to 'work' (verse 13) because God is working in us. The New Testament consistently presents both what I have called the passive and the active approaches to holiness without any sense of contradiction. It may be well for us to realize that we are dealing with one of the great mysteries in Scripture: the mystery of the interaction between your will and God's. The glorious work of delivering you from sin, making something altogether wonderful out of you, is a work in which both you and God have a part. Trouble arises when you start trying to map out where God's part stops and your part begins. Let there be no misunderstanding. Without God's Spirit within, our efforts are futile. No good thing could spring from our corrupt and sinful hearts. But we have been redeemed and we have been sanctified. We have been set apart for God's use. Let us then agree with God in the matter. ... Let us reserve no part of our lives to serve selfish interests and ambitions. But having done that, let us assume the whole armor of God and by miraculous strength declare war on all that is evil within and without." -- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson, pages 24-25.

Phil 2:15

YOU MAY BECOME BLAMELESS AND PURE = This is not the justification aspect of salvation, rather it is sanctification -- the growing up to maturity in God's grace.

Phil 3:1

Phil 3:3

SPIRIT ... GOD ... CHRIST JESUS = These are the three members of the Trinity. The three members of the Trinity are mentioned in Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; Luke 10:21; John 3:5; Acts 7:55; Acts 10:38; Romans 1:4; Romans 15:16, 30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:17; Philippians 3:3; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:2.

IN THE FLESH = The Greek "sarx" (Strongs #G4561) means "flesh, body, carnal." Here "flesh" is used as a synonym for "body."

Phil 3:5

PHARISEE = See note on Matthew 23:2.

Phil 3:6

PERSECUTING THE CHURCH = See Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13.

Phil 3:9

NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN = "Acquittal on the day of Christ is a free gift of God to those who believe, but those who believe will inevitably experience the work of God within their lives to produce purity, blamelessness, and obedience (Philippians 1:10; 2:12)." -- The NIV Application Commentary on Philippians, by Frank Thielman, Zondervan, page28.

THAT COMES FROM THE LAW = Here Paul is referring back to his statement in Philippians 3:5 that he was once a legalistic, law-keeping Pharisee who sought legalistic righteousness (Philippians 3:6). He is not speaking specifically about the Ten Commandments, but rather is speaking in general terms about legalism. It is not just Sabbatarians who struggle with legalism.

Phil 3:10

THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION = Seventh-day Adventists, and other, who teach “soul sleep” say: “Paul's hope lay in resurrection, not in transmigration of his ‘immortal’ soul.” However, they err in their belief (see commentary note on Philippians 1:23 and Philippians 3:11). Our sanctification is accomplished through the powerful working of the resurrected Christ in our lives.

Phil 3:11

ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD = Seventh-day Adventists, and others who teach “soul sleep” say: “If Paul believed his ‘immortal’ soul went to heaven at death there would be no need for hoping to be raised from the dead.” However, they err in this statement, because the Bible teaches that the souls of the saved go immediately to be with Christ even as their bodies return to the dust (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Psalm 104:29; Ecclesiastes 3:20; Ecclesiastes 12:7). Resurrection of the body must occur in order for the immortal soul to be reunited with the body. God designed humans to have bodies (Genesis 2:7), hence the necessity of the resurrection of the body from the dead (Isaiah 26:19).

Phil 3:18

SAY AGAIN EVEN WITH TEARS = The greatest disappointment for an evangelist is to watch people turn away from Christ.

MANY LIVE AS = Here Paul is clear that our lifestyle is an indication of our relationship with Christ.

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST = Paul uses the term "the cross of Christ" in 1 Corinthians 1:17 and Galatians 6:12 to mean the Gospel. To say "many live as enemies of the Gospel" is to say several things: (1) they live as legalists hoping to earn salvation (this is not likely because in Philippians 3:19 Paul seems to indicate these people are libertarians); (2) they reject Christ's saving grace and live the life of libertines; (3) because "their mind is on earthly things" (see note on Philippians 3:19) they are without the desire for heavenly things.

Phil 3:19

THEIR DESTINY IS DESTRUCTION = The Greek word "telos" (Strongs #G5056) is translated "destiny" here, however it actually means "end, termination, completion, final lot, ultimate fate." Thus there is nothing here about predestination. However, the ultimate fate for those who "live as enemies of the cross of Christ" (Philippians 3:18) is destruction.

THEIR GOD IS THEIR STOMACH = The Greek word "koilia" (Strongs #G2836) is translated "stomach," however in this usage it probably refers to the physical appetites. Rather than being ruled by the cross of Christ, these citizens of darkness are ruled by their passions and have made their stomachs their god. The context indicates gluttony is a sin which leads to destruction (Proverbs 23:2; 28:7; Romans 16:18)

THEIR GLORY IS IN THEIR SHAME = Rather than glorying in the cross of Christ, these citizens of darkness glory in their disgraceful conduct. They have become proud of things they should be ashamed of.

THEIR MIND IS ON EARTHLY THINGS = Here is a wrong focus (Colossians 3:2). These people are intent on gaining the whole world, but they have forfeited their souls (Mark 8:36-37). "Earthly things" are not the practical affairs of everyday life such as earning a living, paying the rent, and buying groceries. Instead, "earthly things" include everything that cause a person to live a worldly life that opposes God. Instead of focusing our mind on earthly things, we are to focus on the eight criteria for good mental health (Philippians 4:6-8).

Phil 3:20

BUT OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN = Here Paul contrasts the earthly focus of these "enemies of the cross of Christ" with the heavenly focus of Christianity. Also see John 14:1-3 for Christ's literal preparation of a heavenly home for His people.

WE EAGERLY AWAIT A SAVIOR = The focus of Christianity is on Jesus Christ our Savior rather than on earthly things which corrupt and destroy. Because our focus is different, our destiny is different from that of worldly people (compare Philippians 3:19 with Philippians 3:21).

Phil 3:21

POWER ... TO BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL = Specifically Paul is referring back to the transformation of our minds from earthly things to heavenly things (Philippians 3:19-20). This transformation of our lives occurs through the power of Jesus Christ working in us. Only He has the power to change us from earthly mortals destined for destruction, into citizens of heaven destined for immortality!

GLORIOUS BODY = Not glorious "spirit!" Jesus' body was raised from the dead (Luke 24:36-39; John 2:19-22). Here we are told He will return to earth in bodily form.

Phil 4:1

Phil 4:3

NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK OF LIFE = This phrase is in the present tense, indicating that when Paul wrote Philippians in A.D. 60 his fellow workers were already judged to be saved and their names were written in the Book of Life. This phrase occurs in Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 15; 21:27. This divine ledger is first mentioned in Exodus 32:32-33. See Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5. (Also see note on 1Timothy 5:24).

Phil 4:6

PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS = It is God's will for us to pray (see Luke 18:1).

Phil 4:7

GUARD = Greek "phreueo" (Strongs #G5432) meaning "to guard with a military guard, to hold in custody, confine, protect." This is a military term used of garrisons in a city, and it occurs in 2 Corinthians 11:32; Galatians 3:23 and 1 Peter 1:5.

Phil 4:8

THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS = "Every temptation is first a thought introduced to your mind by your own carnality or the tempter himself. If you ruminate on that thought and consider it an option, you will eventually act on it, and that's sin. Instead, Paul instructs us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). The first step for escaping temptation is to apprehend every thought as soon as it steps through the doorway of your mind. Once you have halted a penetrating thought, the next step is to evaluate it on the basis of Paul's eightfold criteria for what we should think about: 'Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things' (Philippians 4:8). Ask yourself, 'Does this thought line up with God's truth? Is it suggesting that I do something honorable? Right? Pure? If this thought becomes action, will the outcome be lovely and contribute to excellence in my life? Will other believers approve of my actions? Is it something for which I can praise God? If the answer to any of those questions is no, dismiss that thought immediately. Don't have anything more to do with it. If it keeps coming back, keep saying no. When you learn to respond to tempting thoughts by stopping them at the door of your mind, evaluating them on the basis of God's Word, and dismissing those which fail the test, you have found the way of escape that God's Word promises (1 Corinthians 10:13." -- The Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson, pages 138-139.

Also see Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Phil 4:11

TO BE CONTENT = The Greek "autarkes" (Strongs #G842) means "adequate, sufficient, content."

Phil 4:13

EVERYTHING = In the context of verses 11-12 Paul is specifically referring to times when he was financially "in need" and times when he had "plenty" of money. Through Christ Paul received the strength to be content in every situation.

THROUGH HIM = The source of Paul's contentment was not great will-power (as the Stoics required), but his relationship with Jesus Christ. Whatever Paul's lot he was content because Christ gave him strength (1 Corinthians 10:13). Nevertheless, Paul found encouragement through the friendship and help of fellow believers (Philippians 4:14).

Phil 4:15

SHARED ... IN THE MATTER OF GIVING AND RECEIVING = Here Paul is speaking about the tithes and offerings sent to him by the Philippian believers (Philippians 4:16). For a full discussion of the subject of paying Gospel workers, see Matthew 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 7:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Phil 4:18

I HAVE RECEIVED FULL PAYMENT = Here Paul complimented the Philippian believers for doing what is right and not withholding the financial support God said was due the Gospel worker. For a full discussion of the subject of paying Gospel workers, see Matthew 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 7:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Phil 4:19

MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS = The context of this promise involves the faithfulness of the Philippian believers in contributing tithes and offerings to Paul (see Philippians 4:15-18). This promise is based upon Malachi 3:8-12. No one can claim this promise unless he is faithfully contributing tithes and offerings to the Lord's work through the local church. Also see commentary on 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Phil 4:21

IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13); and we remain "in Christ" by holding firmly to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

Phil 4:22

CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD = Paul's preaching of the Gospel was so effective that members of "Caesar's household" (this could be Caesar’s staff, bodyguards, family) had become Christians (see note on Philippians 1:13).

Sydney Cleveland, 172 Suncrest Drive, Greenwood, IN 46143 317 885-8122

scleveland@prodigy.net

Permission to use The Cleveland Bible Commentary in your personal study is freely given, however this Commentary is not in the public domain. The author retains all copyrights © and ownership of this commentary, world wide. This means you cannot copy, revise, change, republish, or distribute The Cleveland Bible Commentary in any way, including electronically, except as provided here. Nor may you use it in any manner other than for your own personal study, except as stated here, without my written permission. You may quote from The Cleveland Bible Commentary in materials used in your personal teaching at educational institutions, including churches and Bible classes sponsored by your church, as long as the quotation does not exceed twenty-five percent of the entire Cleveland Bible Commentary verse notes on any single chapter. For example, this means if I comment on twenty-four verses in Matthew chapter 19, you may directly quote my comments on six verses of your choice in Matthew 19 without requesting permission.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Syd@ChristianCommunityChurch.us

Back to Cleveland Commentary's Home Page