Philippians Parts 12 -14 Series

Philippians Part 12, Chapter 2:16-2:18)

I. Holding forth (v. 2:16)

A. epechó (ep-ekh'-o) to hold fast, to hold toward, to stop Usage: (a) trans: I hold forth,

(b) intrans: I mark, pay attention (heed), note; I delay, stay, wait.

B. This translation seems correct, and the reference is to the comparison above. There

may, indeed, be (as has been supposed) a reference, involving a change of metaphor,

to the holding forth of a torch, for guidance, or for transmission, as in the celebrated

torch race of ancient times. But this supposed change of metaphor is unnecessary.

The “luminaries” hold forth their light to men, and that light is the “word of life.”

Note the same connection in John 1:4, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of

men.” (Ellicot’s Commentary)

C. Holding forth the word of life - That is, you are under obligation to hold forth the word

of life. It is a duty incumbent on you as Christians to do it. The "word of life" means

the gospel, called the "word of life" because it is the message that promises life; or

perhaps this is a Hebraism, denoting the living, or life-giving word. The gospel stands

thus in contrast with all human systems of religion - for they have no efficacy to

save - and to the law which "killeth". The duty here enjoined is that of making the

gospel known to others, and of thus keeping up the knowledge of it in the world.

This duty rests on Christians, and they cannot escape from the obligation. They

are bound to do this, not only because God commands it, but: because there are no

others to do it. The frivolous ones will not warn the fools, nor will the proud warn the

proud, nor the scoffer the scoffer. The thoughtless and the vain will not go and tell

others that there is a God and a Saviour; nor will the wicked warn the wicked, and tell

them that they are in the way to hell. There are none who will do this but Christians;

and, if they neglect it, sinners will go unwarned and unalarmed down to death.

This duty rests on every Christian. (Barnes Notes)

D. Vain- (v. 2:16)

1. 3152 kenos (ken-os') empty Usage: (a) empty, (b) met: empty (in moral content),

vain, ineffective, foolish, worthless, (c) false, unreal, pretentious, hollow.

2. That I have not run in vain - That is, that I have not lived in vain - life being

compared with a race. Neither laboured in vain - In preaching the gospel.

Their holy lives would be the fullest proof that he was a faithful preacher.

(Barnes’ Notes)

II. An Offering (v. 2:17)

A. Paul, now with the mind of Christ, speak of his own life as a sacrificial offering.

B. In Jewish worship they poured wine on and around the sacrifice on the altar.

C. I am poured out as a libation. 2 Timothy 4:6 “ready to be offered.”

III. Joy and Rejoice (v. 2:18)

A. 20 Joy agalliasis (ag-al-lee'-as-is) exultation, exuberant joy; Usage: wild joy,

ecstatic delight, exultation, exhilaration

B. 4796 Rejoice sugchairó (soong-khah'-ee-ro) to rejoice with;

Usage: I rejoice with, congratulate.

C. Do ye joy, and rejoice with me - That is, "do not grieve at my death. Be not

overwhelmed with sorrow, but let your hearts be filled with congratulation. It will

be a privilege and a pleasure thus to die." This is a noble sentiment, and one that

could have been uttered only by a heroic and generous mind - by a man who will

not dread death, and who felt that it was honorable thus to die Doddridge has

illustrated the sentiment by an appropriate reference to a fact stated by Plutarch.

A brave Athenian returned from the battle of Marathon, bleeding with wounds

and exhausted, and rushed into the presence of the magistrates, and uttered only

these two words - ?a??ete chairete, ?a???µe? chairomen - "rejoice, we rejoice,"

and immediately expired. So Paul felt that there was occasion for him, and for all

whom he loved, to rejoice, if he was permitted to die in the cause of others, and in

such a manner that his death would benefit the world. (Barnes’ Notes)

Philippians Part 13, Chapter 2:19-2:30

I. Timothy (v. 2:19-2:23)

A. Sending Timothy—was likeminded due to his having the mind of Christ.

1. Jewess mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) Greek father

2. Naturally caring – sincerely and not in presence.

3. Serving in the Gospel.

4. Known and Proved.

5. Not afraid to work second to Paul as a servant.

a. It is a rare thing to find one who does it naturally. (Matthew Henry)

b. All or the majority seek their own.

c. Seeking our own interest to the neglect of Christ’s is a very great sin, and very