It is a great condescension and favour in God to own the relation of Father to sinners, and allow us to say to him, Our Father and it is a title peculiar to the gospel dispensation. Or, To stand fast in the Lord is to stand fast in his strength and by his grace not trusting in ourselves, and disclaiming any sufficiency of our own. See what an ornament to religion sanctified civility is. "He will take vengeance on your enemies, and reward your patience. We must thankfully own the receipt of all from him, and give the praise of all to him. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Paul had a grateful spirit for, though what his friends did for him was nothing in comparison of what he deserved from them and the obligations he had laid upon them, yet he speaks of their kindness as if it had been a piece of generous charity, when it was really far short of a just debt. In these things he proposes himself to them for an example (Philippians 4:9): Those things which you have learned, and received, and heard and seen in me, do. 2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. With such sacrifices God is well pleased, Hebrews 13:16. Go to, To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use our convenient, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. This is directed to some particular persons. 1. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Observe here. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. It is not with any design to draw more from you, but to encourage you to such an exercise of beneficence as will meet with a glorious reward hereafter. He takes care to obviate the bad use some might make of his taking so much notice of what was sent him. Exhortations to several Christian duties, as stedfastness, unanimity, joy, etc. Introduction. I. God gives His peace to those of a pure or righteous heart and mind. Paul writes a charter for Christian thought. There is difference of gifts and graces, yet, being renewed by the same Spirit, we are brethren. Note, A good man will soon have enough of this world not only of living in it, but of receiving from it. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. We need his strength to teach us to be content in every condition. No other domesticated animal can eat such a wide variety of different vegetables and herbs, seemingly without very much damage. God is to be considered by us as our Father: Now unto God and our Father. And the God of peace will be with you: If the Philippians did as Paul had instructed, not only would they have had the peace of God, but the God of peace would have also been with them.