Spurgeon's notes on PHILIPPIANS
"He who has begun a good work in you will perform it."
Philippians 1:1-26
We have now reached the Epistle to the Philippians, which has been well called the epistle of love and joy. In it we see most of the inner character of the apostle; there was the utmost mutual love between him and the brethren at Philippi.
Philippians 1:1-5
They were the most generous and faithful of the churches, and gave the apostle much joy. Should we not all aim to cheer the heart of our ministers by our zeal and liberality?
Philippians 1:6
This delightful confidence is the crowning joy of the Christian life. If he who began the good work did not also carry it on we should be in a wretched plight, but, blessed be God, the work of grace is in the hands of one who never leaves his work unfinished.
Philippians 1:7-11
The one point in which the Philippians failed was love and unity among themselves; for this Paul prayed, for it is of the first importance.
Philippians 1:15-18
Sweet forgetfulness of self! So long as Christ is glorified, Paul minds not how he himself fares, nor what unkind motives towards himself may actuate other preachers. This is real Christianity.
Philippians 1:19-20
He hoped that the spread of the gospel would call Nero's attention to his case, and end his imprisonment one way or another, and little did he care whether he was set free by death, or by being allowed to resume his labors.
Philippians 1:25, 26
He would even stay out of Heaven a while for their sakes. Oh, to live only to do good! This is to live indeed.
Philippians 1:28
He was most anxious that they should be united in eager zeal for the spread of the gospel, and present a bold front to their persecutors. Men call the courage of the saints obstinacy, and reckon them to be hardened heretics; but such boldness is to believers a token of divine favor.
Philippians 1:29, 30
It would cheer the Philippian saints to remember that they suffered in good company, and were comrades with the apostle himself. Glad enough may we be to be ridiculed for Jesus sake, since we are thereby made partakers with the noble army of martyrs.
Philippians 2:1, 2
How urgently he pleads! How he multiplies expressions! Love among Christians is so precious that he begs for it as if for his life. Be it ours never to fan the flames of party-feeling, but always to increase the holy affection of our Christian brethren.
Philippians 2:4-11
Jesus is the divine example of love and self-denial, and as we hope to be saved by him we must diligently copy him. He is now exalted to the highest glory as the reward of his voluntary humiliation, and by the same means must his disciples rise to honor. We must stoop to conquer. He who is willing to be nothing shall be possessor of all things.
Philippians 2:12, 13
We work out what the Lord works in. The grace of God is not a reason for idleness, but for diligence. As both will and work are given us of God, let us will with firm resolution and work with dauntless perseverance; for so shall we fulfill the good pleasure of the Lord.
Philippians 2:14, 15
We cannot be blameless if we murmur and dispute, for such things naturally lead to sin. Our lights cannot shine if instead of trimming them we occupy ourselves with blowing out the lamps of others.
Philippians 2:16
We do not wish to rob faithful ministers of the result of their labors, and yet we shall do so unless we join heartily with our brethren in spreading the gospel, and do our best to live in holiness and Christian love.
Philippians 3:1-14
As this day comes but once in four years, we would pray God to give us a fourfold blessing. May we take a leap in grace, and advance an unusual day's journey in the divine pilgrimage. As a change in our reading, let us turn to
Philippians 3:1
This is never out of season, and by grace it is always possible. Let grumblers take note of this.
Philippians 3:1
Repetitions of holy precepts neither weary the preacher nor his hearers. God's word does not grow stale.
Philippians 3:3
There were some in Paul's days who made a Jewish party and gloried in their being circumcised; Paul calls them the cutters off, and claims for spiritual worshipers all the privileges which the Judaizers sought to monopolize.
Philippians 3:4-7
Grace leads a man to renounce his most prized and boasted privileges for Jesus sake. This is a test to which many cannot submit.
Philippians 3:7-11
The apostles and the first believers were ready to sacrifice all things for Jesus; they did not ask to walk with the truth in its silver slippers, but were willing to go through the mire with her. Paul is a notable instance of this, for he says,—Philippians 3:7-11.
Philippians 3:11
Better far to die for Christ than live by apostasy. Gain by selling Christ would be deadly loss; loss for him is gain. May the Lord enable us calmly to choose Christ and his cross and to forsake sin and its transitory pleasures. Amen.
Philippians 3:10
This is a knowledge not gained at college,
Philippians 3:10
To be ready to die as Jesus did, and so to have fellowship with him in death, is a glorious lesson in the learning of grace.
Philippians 3:11
Philippians 3:7-11
The apostles and the first believers were ready to sacrifice all things for Jesus; they did not ask to walk with the truth in its silver slippers, but were willing to go through the mire with her. Paul is a notable instance of this, for he says,—Philippians 3:7-11.
Philippians 3:11
Better far to die for Christ than live by apostasy. Gain by selling Christ would be deadly loss; loss for him is gain. May the Lord enable us calmly to choose Christ and his cross and to forsake sin and its transitory pleasures. Amen.
The resurrection of the blessed was the prize towards which the Apostle pressed forward. This he sought for in God's fashion, not by his own works, but by the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Philippians 3:12
He claimed no perfection in the flesh, but he sought after perfect holiness in Christ Jesus. He had laid hold of Jesus because Jesus had laid hold of him, and Jesus was to him his all in all.
Philippians 3:13, 14
"Onward" is our marching order. We never think ourselves
good enough. What we have done, through divine grace, we are far from being
content with. Our ideal is far above our attainments, we have but begun as
yet on the lower forms of the Lord's school of grace, and we aspire to far
higher things. We must be diligent in spiritual things. To be early in the
shop and late in the closet is ill. How dare we be busy in our own farm and
slack in God's vineyard, awake on the market and asleep in the congregation.
So run that you may obtain. He who would have holiness, happiness, and
Heaven, must run for them.
Philippians 4:1
He pleads with these two good women to end their differences. The worst results may arise from a quarrel, even when there are only two engaged in it, and those two are women.
Philippians 4:4
We cannot have too much holy rejoicing; we are to joy and re-joy, and then to rejoice again. See that this be done in this house all day long. Alas, none can truly rejoice but those who are in the Lord! Are we all in him?
Philippians 4:6
Be not careful, but prayerful. Prayer is the cure for care.
Philippians 4:7, 8
Here is a mass of matter for thought. Take each word and study it, and then put it in practice. Every member of the family should learn this verse by heart; it is much in little, a catalogue of the practical virtues.
Philippians 4:9-14
Paul knew how to be poor, but he did not know how to be ungrateful. True ministers will work for the Lord, however badly their people may support them, yet it is well to treat them generously, and win their gratitude, for their Master is pleased when his servants are kindly used for his sake. Is there any deed of love which we can do for our pastor?
Philippians 4:15-19
This is a grand assurance. God is the giver, his infinite glory is the store, Jesus is the channel, and the supply knows no limit. What more can the most expanded desires wish for? This promissory note from the Bank of Faith makes all believers rich beyond a miser's dream.
Philippians 4:23
Thus with an affectionate wish this fragrant letter of love comes to its close. May more of the tender spirit which it breathes be found in each one of us.