Philippians 4 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1Longed for (epipotheto). Late and rare verbal adjective (here alone in N.T.) from epipotheo.
So stand fast (outo stekete). Present active imperative of steko (late present from perfect esteka from istem). See 1:27. They were tempted to defection. Standing firm is difficult when a panic starts.
2Euodia (Euodian). This name means literally "prosperous journey" (eu, odos). It occurs in the inscriptions.
Syntyche (Suntuchen). From suntunchano, to meet with and so "pleasant acquaintance" or "good-luck." Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some. Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes, one a Jewish-Christian church, the other a Gentile-Christian church. Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi. Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance. "It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women" (Kennedy).
3True yokefellow (gnesie sunzuge). All sorts of suggestions have been made here, one that it was Lydia who is termed Paul's wife by the word sunzuge. Unfortunately for that view gnesie is masculine vocative singular. Some have suggested it as a proper name though it is not found in the inscriptions, but the word does occur as an appellative in one. Lightfoot even proposes Epaphroditus, the bearer of the Epistle, certainly a curious turn to take to address him. After all it matters little that we do not know who the peacemaker was.
Help these women (sunlambanou autais). Present middle imperative of sunlambano, to seize (Mt 26:55 ), to conceive (Lu 1:24 ), then to take hold together with one (associative instrumental case), to help as here (Lu 5:7 ). "Take hold with them."
They laboured with me (sunethlesan mo). First aorist active indicative of sunathleo (for which see 1:27) with associative instrumental case (mo).
With Clement also (meta ka Klementos). There is no evidence that he was Clement of Rome as the name is common.
In the book of life (en biblo zoes). The only instance of this expression in the N.T. outside of the Apocalypse (3:5; 13:8; 17:8 , etc.). Hence real Christians in spite of their bickerings.
4Again I will say (palin ero). Future active indicative of defective verb eipon.
Rejoice (chairete). Present active imperative as in 3:1, repeated for emphasis in spite of discouragements. Not in the sense of "Farewell" here.
5Your forbearance (to epieikes umon). "Your gentleness," "your sweet reasonableness" (Matthew Arnold), "your moderation." Old adjective (epi, eikos) as in Jas 3:17; 1Ti 3:3 . Article and neuter singular here= e epieikeia (Ac 24:4; 2Co 10:1 ) like to chreston in Ro 2:4 .
The Lord is at hand (o kurios engus). "The Apostle's watchword" (Lightfoot), as in 1Co 16:22 (Maran atha, Aramaic equivalent, Our Lord cometh). Unless, indeed, engus here means near in space instead of
nigh in time.
6In nothing be anxious (meden merimnate). Present imperative in prohibition, "stop being anxious." See me merimnate in Mt 6:31 .
With thanksgiving (meta eucharistias). In all the forms of prayer here named thanksgiving should appear.
7The peace of God (e eirene tou theou). See in 2Th 3:16 "the Lord of peace" (o Kurios tes eirenes) and verse 9 for "the God of peace" (o theos tes eirenes).
Shall guard (phrourese). "Shall garrison," future active indicative of phroureo, old verb from phrouros (pro-oros, proorao, to see before, to look out). See Ac 9:24; 2Co 11:32 . God's peace as a sentinel mounts guard over our lives as Tennyson so beautifully pictures Love as doing.
8Finally (to loipon). See on 3:1.
Whatsoever (osa). Thus he introduces six adjectives picturing Christian ideals, old-fashioned and familiar words not necessarily from any philosophic list of moral excellencies Stoic or otherwise. Without these no ideals can exist. They are pertinent now when so much filth is flaunted before the world in books, magazines and moving-pictures under the name of realism (the slime of the gutter and the cess-pool).
Honourable (semna). Old word from sebo, to worship, revere. So revered, venerated (1Ti 3:8 ).
Pure (agna). Old word for all sorts of purity. There are clean things, thoughts, words, deeds.
Lovely (prosphile). Old word, here only in N.T., from pros and phileo, pleasing, winsome.
Of good report (euphema. Old word, only here in N.T., from eu and pheme, fair-speaking, attractive.
If there be any (e tis). Paul changes the construction from osa (whatsoever) to a condition of the first class, as in 2:1, with two substantives.
Virtue (arete). Old word, possibly from aresko, to please, used very often in a variety of senses by the ancients for any mental excellence or moral quality or physical power. Its very vagueness perhaps explains its rarity in the N.T., only four times (Php 4:8; 1Pe 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3,5 ). It is common in the papyri, but probably Paul is using it in the sense found in the LXX (Isa 42:12; 43:21 ) of God's splendour and might (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 95) in connection with "praise" (epainos) as here or even meaning praise.
Think on these things (tauta logizesthe). Present middle imperative for habit of thought. We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.
9In me (en emo). Paul dares to point to his life in Philippi as an illustration of this high thinking. The preacher is the interpreter of the spiritual life and should be an example of it.
These things do (tauta prassete). Practise as a habit (prasso, not poieo).
10I rejoice (echaren). Second aorist passive indicative of chairo, a timeless aorist. I did rejoice, I do rejoice.
Greatly (megalos). Old adverb, only here in N.T., from megas (great).
Now at length (ede pote). In N.T. only here and Ro 1:10 . Pote is indefinite past (interval), ede immediate present.
Ye have revived (anethalete). Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer), anathallo, to sprout again, to shoot up, to blossom again. So in the LXX five times, though rare and literary word.
Your thought for me (to uper emou phronein). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of anethalete used transitively. "You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh."
Wherein (eph' o). "In which," "upon which" (locative case). A loose reference to Paul's interests as involved in their thinking of him.
Ye did indeed take thought (ka ephroneite). Imperfect active, "ye were also (or had been also) thinking."
Ye lacked opportunity (ekaireisthe). Imperfect middle of akaireoma, late and rare word, here only in N.T., from akairos (a privative, kairos), not to have a chance, the opposite of eukaireo (Mr 6:31 ).
11In respect of want (kath' usteresin). Late and rare word from ustereo, to be behind or too late, only here and Mr 12:44 in N.T.
I have learned (emathon). Simply, "I did learn" (constative second aorist active indicative of manthano, to learn, looking at his long experience as a unit.
In whatsoever state I am (en ois eim). "In what things (circumstances) I am."
To be content (autarkes eina). Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective autarkes (from autos and arkeo, to be self-sufficient), self-sufficing. Favourite word with the Stoics, only here in N.T., though autarkeia occurs in 2Co 9:8; 1Ti 6:6 . Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago. Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: "He that is content with least, for autarkeia is nature's wealth."
12I know how (oida). Followed by the infinitive oida has this sense. So here twice, with tapeinoustha, to be humbled, from tapeinos, and with perisseuein, to overflow.
Have I learned the secret (memuema). Perfect passive indicative of mueo, old and common word from muo, to close (Latin mutus), and so to initiate with secret rites, here only in N.T. The common word musterion (mystery) is from mustes (one initiated) and this from mueo, to initiate, to instruct in secrets. Paul draws this metaphor from the initiatory rites of the pagan mystery-religions.
To be filled (chortazestha). Old verb from chortos (grass, hay) and so to fatten like an animal.
To be hungry (peinain). Old verb from peina (hunger) and kin to penes, poor man who has to work for his living (penoma).
13I can do all things (panta ischuo). Old verb to have strength (ischus).
In him that strengtheneth me (en to endunamount me). Late and rare verb (in LXX) from adjective endunamos (en, dunamis). Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one. See same phrase in 1Ti 1:12 to endunamosant me (aorist tense here). Paul has such strength so long as Jesus keeps on putting power (dunamis) into him.
14That ye had fellowship (sunkoinonesantes). First aorist active participle (simultaneous action with the principal verb kalos epoiesate). "Ye did well contributing for my affliction."
15In the beginning of the gospel (en arche tou euangeliou). After he had wrought in Philippi (2Th 2:13 ).
Had fellowship (ekoinonesen). "Had partnership" (first aorist active indicative).
In the matter (eis logon). "As to an account." No other church opened an account with Paul.
Of giving and receiving (doseos ka lempseos). Credit and debit. A mercantile metaphor repeated in verse 17 by eis logon umon (to your account). Paul had to keep books then with no other church, though later Thessalonica and Beroea joined Philippi in support of Paul's work in Corinth (2Co 11:8f. ).
But ye only (e me umeis mono). Not even Antioch contributed anything but good wishes and prayers for Paul's work (Ac 13:1-3 ).
16Once and again (ka apax ka dis). "Both once and twice" they did it "even in Thessalonica" and so before Paul went to Corinth." See the same Greek idiom in 1Th 2:18 .
17I seek for (epizeto). Old verb, in N.T. only here and Ro 11:7 (linear present, I am seeking for). Lightfoot calls it "the Apostle's nervous anxiety to clear himself" of wanting more gifts. Why not say his delicate courtesy?
18I have all things (apecho panta). As a receipt in full in appreciation of their kindness. Apecho is common in the papyri and the ostraca for "receipt in full" (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 110). See Mt 6:2,5,16 .
I am filled (pepleroma). Perfect passive indicative of pleroo. "Classical Greek would hardly use the word in this personal sense" (Kennedy).
An odour of a sweet smell (osmen euodias). Osme, old word from ozo, to smell. Euodia, old word from eu and ozo. In Eph 5:2 both words come together as here and in 2Co 2:15 we have euodia (only other N.T. example) and in verse 2Co 2:16 osme twice. Euodias here is genitive of quality.
Sacrifice (thusian). Not the act, but the offering as in Ro 12:1 .
Well-pleasing (euareston). As in Ro 12:1 .
19According to his riches in glory (kata to ploutos autou en doxe). God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul. The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it.
20The glory (e doxa). "The doxology flows out of the joy of the whole epistle" (Bengel).
21They that are of Caesar's household (o ek tes Kaisaros oikias). Not members of the imperial family, but some connected with the imperial establishment. The term can apply to slaves and freedmen and even to the highest functionaries. Christianity has begun to undermine the throne of the Caesars. Some day a Christian will sit on this throne. The gospel works upward from the lower classes. lt was so at Corinth and in Rome. It is true today. It is doubtful if Nero had yet heard of Paul for his case may have been dismissed by lapse of time. But this obscure prisoner who has planted the gospel in Caesar's household has won more eternal fame and power than all the Caesars combined. Nero will commit suicide shortly after Paul has been executed. Nero's star went down and Paul's rose and rises still.
THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS
FROM ROME A.D. 63
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
GENUINENESS
The author claims to be Paul (Col 1:1 ) and there is no real doubt about it in spite of Baur's denial of the Pauline authorship which did not suit his Tendenz theory of the New Testament books. There is every mark of Paul's style and power in the little Epistle and there is no evidence that any one else took Paul's name to palm off this striking and vigorous polemic.
THE DATE
Clearly it was sent at the same time with the Epistle to Philemon and the one to the Ephesians since Tychicus the bearer of the letter to Ephesus (Eph 6:21f. ) and the one to Colossae (Col 4:7f. ) was a companion of Onesimus (Col 4:9 ) the bearer of that to Philemon (Phm 1:10-12 ). If Paul is a prisoner (Col 4:3; Eph 6:20; Phm 1:9 ) in Rome, as most scholars hold, and not in Ephesus as Deissmann and Duncan argue, the probable date would be A.D. 63. I still believe that Paul is in Rome when he sends out these epistles. If so, the time would be after the arrival in Rome from Jerusalem as told in Ac 28 and before the burning of Rome by Nero in A.D. 64. If Philippians was already sent, A.D. 63 marks the last probable year for the writing of this group of letters.
THE OCCASION
The Epistle itself gives it as being due to the arrival of Epaphras from Colossae (Col 1:7-9; 4:12f. ). He is probably one of Paul's converts while in Ephesus who in behalf of Paul (Col 1:7 ) evangelized the Lycus Valley (Colossae, Hierapolis, Laodicea) where Paul had never been himself (Col 2:1; 4:13-16 ). Since Paul's departure for Rome, the "grievous wolves" whom he foresaw in Miletus (Ac 20:29f. ) had descended upon these churches and were playing havoc with many and leading them astray much as new cults today mislead the unwary. These men were later called Gnostics (see Ignatius) and had a subtle appeal that was not easy to withstand. The air was full of the mystery cults like the Eleusinian mysteries, Mithraism, the vogue of Isis, what not. These new teachers professed new thought with a world-view that sought to explain everything on the assumption that matter was essentially evil and that the good God could only touch evil matter by means of a series of aeons or emanations so far removed from him as to prevent contamination by God and yet with enough power to create evil matter. This jejune theory satisfied many just as today some are content to deny the existence of sin, disease, death in spite of the evidence of the senses to the contrary. In his perplexity Epaphras journeyed all the way to Rome to obtain Paul's help.
PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE
Epaphras did not come in vain, for Paul was tremendously stirred by the peril to Christianity from the Gnostics (o gnostiko, the knowing ones). He had won his fight for freedom in Christ against the Judaizers who tried to fasten Jewish sacramentarianism upon spiritual Christianity. Now there is an equal danger of the dissipation of vital Christianity in philosophic speculation. In particular, the peril was keen concerning the Person of Christ when the Gnostics embraced Christianity and applied their theory of the universe to him. They split into factions on the subject of Christ. The Docetic (from dokeo, to seem) Gnostics held that Jesus did not have a real human body, but only a phantom body. He was, in fact, an aeon and had no real humanity. The Cerinthian (followers of Cerinthus) Gnostics admitted the humanity of the man Jesus, but claimed that the Christ was an aeon that came on Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove and left him on the Cross so that only the man Jesus died. At once this heresy sharpened the issue concerning the Person of Christ already set forth in Php 2:5-11 . Paul met the issue squarely and powerfully portrayed his full-length portrait of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man (both deity and humanity) in opposition to both types of Gnostics. So then Colossians seems written expressly for our own day when so many are trying to rob Jesus Christ of his deity. The Gnostics took varying views of moral issues also as men do now. There were the ascetics with rigorous rules and the licentious element that let down all the bars for the flesh while the spirit communed with God. One cannot understand Colossians without some knowledge of Gnosticism such as may be obtained in such books as Angus's The Mystery-Religions and Christianity, Glover's The Conflict of Religion in the Early Roman Empire, Kennedy's St. Paul and the Mystery-Religions, Lightfoot's Commentary on Colossians.
SOME BOOKS ABOUT COLOSSIANS
One may note commentaries by T. K. Abbott (Int. Crit. 1897), Gross Alexander (1910), Dargan (1887), Dibelius (1912), Ellicott (1890), Ewald (1905), Griffith-Thomas (1923), Findlay (1895), Haupt (1903), M. Jones (1923), Lightfoot (1904), Maclaren (1888), Meinertz (1917), Moule (1900), Mullins (1913), Oltramare (1891), Peake (1903), Radford (1931), A. T. Robertson (1926), Rutherford (1908), E. F. Scott (1930), Von Soden (1893), F. B. Westcott (1914), Williams (1907).
Colossians 1