Philippians 4:12-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 4:10-20

IV. EPILOGUE 4:10-20The apostle began this epistle by sharing some personal information about his situation in Rome (Philippians 1:12-26). He now returned from his concerns for the Philippians (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9) to his own circumstances (Philippians 4:10-20). Notice the somewhat chiastic structure of the epistle. This epilogue balances the prologue (Philippians 1:3-26)."Nowhere else in all of Paul’s letters nor in all of the letters of antiquity that have survived until the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 4:12

Specifically, Paul could be equally content with little or with much materially because he was rich spiritually. Both poverty and wealth bring temptations with them (Proverbs 30:7-9). The apostle had learned how to handle both need and abundance in every individual situation (en panti) and in all situations (en pasin)."His disinheritance would follow upon his becoming a Christian, and this is probably in view in iii. 7 (cf. I Cor. iv. 10-13; 2 Cor. vi. 10)." [Note: Martin, p. 176.] "Prosperity... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Philippians 4:13

How could Paul be content? His contentment did not come through will power or the power of positive thinking. Paul was not a member of the Stoic philosophic school. It was Jesus Christ who enabled him to be content."The secret of Paul’s independence was his dependence upon Another. His self-sufficiency in reality came from being in vital union with One who is all-sufficient." [Note: Hawthorne, p. 201.] Earlier in this letter Paul explained that the most important thing in life was to center on... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:1-23

4Final Charge. Acknowledgement of Philippian BountyVI. Closing Exhortations (Philippians 4:1-9)§ 15. Philippians 4:1-3. With heightened feeling St. Paul resumes the vein of exhortation commenced in Philippians 3:1: Wherefore (in view of the grand hope of our calling).. so stand fast in the Lord (see Philippians 1:27)—’so,’ i.e. in ’imitating’ the Apostle and ’marking those’ of like ’walk’ (Philippians 3:17); this appeal sums up the foregoing homily. For the endearing epithets accumulated here,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 4:10-20

(10-20) These verses form a singularly graceful and dignified postscript, acknowledging the offerings of the Philippians sent by Epaphroditus, in a tone mingling apostolic commendation and blessing with a true brotherly thankfulness. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 4:12

(12) Every where and in all things.—The original has no such distinction of the two words. It is, in all and everything; in life as a whole, and in all its separate incidents.I am instructed.—The word again is a peculiar and almost technical word. It is, I have been instructed; I have learnt the secret—a phrase properly applied to men admitted into such mysteries as the Eleusinian, enshrining a secret unknown except to the initiated; secondarily, as the context would seem to suggest, to those... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Philippians 4:13

(13) I can do all things.—Properly, I have strength in all things, rather (according to the context) to bear than to do. But the universal extension of the maxim beyond the immediate occasion and context is not inadmissible. It represents the ultimate and ideal consciousness of the Christian. The first thing needful is to throw off mere self-sufficiency, to know our weakness and sin, and accept the salvation of God’s free grace in Christ; the next, to find the “strength made perfect in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Philippians 4:1-23

Euodia and Syntyche Philippians 4:2 This is a dual biography in a nutshell. These persons are nowhere else referred to. The outline is faint enough; yet on thoughtful consideration it reveals not a few interesting facts. I. The persons here mentioned were women. They were members of the Philippian Church, which is often spoken of as a 'woman's church'. It is frequently said by way of criticism that two-thirds of the members of the entire Christian Church are of the gentler sex. But shall the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:10-23

Chapter 19GIFTS AND SACRIFICES.Philippians 4:10-23 (R.V).THE Apostle had urged joy. in the Lord, and a moderation visible to all men. If any one supposes that in doing so he recommended a stoical temper, insensible to the impressions of passing things, the passage which now comes before us will correct that error. It shows us how the Apostle could "rejoice in the Lord," and yet reap great satisfaction from providential incidents. "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Philippians 4:1-23

IV. CHRIST, THE BELIEVER’S STRENGTH, SUFFICIENT FOR ALL CIRCUMSTANCES CHAPTER 4 1. Stand fast and rejoice (Philippians 4:1-4 ) 2. Dependence on God and true heart occupation (Philippians 4:5-9 ) 3. I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:10-13 ) 4. The fellowship of the Philippians (Philippians 4:14-20 ) 5. The greeting (Philippians 4:21-23 ) Philippians 4:1-4 And now the final testimony of the prisoner of the Lord, telling us from his own experience that Christ is sufficient... read more

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