James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:1-23
JOY IN ANXIETY The chapter opens with another exhortation to unity, but this time in a specific case (Philippians 4:1-3 ). Two Christian women, probably deaconesses, like Phoebe (Romans 16:1 ), were at variance. The spirit of self had got in and Paul pleads with them to come together again, and pleads with his “true yokefellow,” whoever he may have been, to help them do it. This leads to a statement of a great truth about self-will (Philippians 4:4-9 ). In the first place, to “rejoice in the... read more
L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:1-23
His heart overflowing at the contemplation of such an Object, the apostle in Ch.4 dwells upon the sufficiency of the Lord Jesus to supremely satisfy the soul. If in Ch.3 Christ is his Object in Glory, in this chapter Christ is his Strength for the wilderness pathway; and in contrast to Israel's constant murmuring in the wilderness, he tells us with a full heart, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content." Sweet testimony to the fulness of love and grace in his adorable Saviour! ... read more