Philippians Chapter Ib

Translation: The Orthodox New Testament, Vol. II, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista CO., 1999

8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

1. Bowels = the seat of affections

a.) The word splagchnon regards the inward organs, such as the bowels, intestines, belly and even the heart. It was the place of emotions or distress or love for the ancients. The Hebrews deemed it as the seat of the more tender affections, especially compassion, kindness and benevolence. (The Orthodox New Testament, Vol. II, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista CO., 1999, p. 228)

9 And this I pray, that your love be abounding yet more and more in full knowledge and all perception, 10 so that you approve the things which are excellent, in order that you may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ,

1. Love is ever increasing

“The measure of love is, to stop nowhere; ‘that your love,’ says he, ‘may abound yet more and more.’ … He does not extol friendship merely, nor love merely, but such as comes of knowledge; that is, you should not apply the same love to all: for this comes not of love, but from want of feeling. … He means, with judgment, with reason, with discrimination. There are who love without reason, simply and any how, whence it comes that such friendships are weak. He says, ‘in knowledge and all discernment, that ye may approve the things that are excellent,’ that is, the things that are profitable … How then, says he, ‘If it be possible, live peaceably with all men?’ ‘Live peaceably’ (Rom. xii. 18), he says, not, Love so as to be harmed by that friendship; for he says, "if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; that ye may be sincere" (Matt. V. 29), that is, before God, ‘and without offence,’ that is, before men, for many men's friendships are often a hurt to them. Even though it hurts you not, still another may stumble. ‘Unto the day of Christ’; i.e. that ye may then be found pure, having caused no one to stumble. (Chrysostom, Homily II, On Philippians, Chapter 1.)

11 having been filled with the fruits of righteousness which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

1. We have no righteousness in and of ourselves – it comes form Christ

“For there is indeed a righteousness not according to Christ, as, for example, a moral life. ‘Which becomes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.’ See that I speak not of mine own: glory, but the righteousness of God; and oftentimes he calls mercy itself too righteousness; let not your love, he says, indirectly injure you, by hindering your perception of things profitable, and take heed lest you fall through your love to any one. (Chrysostom, Homily II, On Philippians, Chapter 1.)

12 But I wish you to know, brethren, that the things concerning me have come rather to the advancement of the Gospel, 13 so that my bonds in Christ have become manifest in all the praetorium (palace), and to all the rest; 14 and the majority of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my bonds, more abundantly dare to speak the word without fear.

1. Nothing can hinder the advancement of the Gospel

“It was likely they would grieve when they heard he was in bonds, and imagine that the preaching was at a stand. He straightway destroys this suspicion. . .you are in bonds! you are hindered! how then does the Gospel advance? He answers, ‘so that my bonds in Christ became manifest in all the praetorium.’ . . . If then they who were near the dangers were not only nothing hurt, but even received greater confidence, much more should you. … as he spoke more boldly when in bonds, he gave them more confidence than if he had not been bound. (Chrysostom, Homily II, On Philippians, Chapter 1.)

15 Some on the other hand proclaim Christ even because of envy and strife, but some on the other hand also because of goodwill: 16 The former announce Christ out of factiousness, not purely, supposing to bring affliction to my bonds, 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the Gospel.

1. Some preached to make Paul’s persecution even greater

Since Paul was under restraint, many of the unbelievers, willing to stir up more vehemently the persecution from the Emperor, themselves also preached Christ, in order that the Emperor's wrath might be increased at the spread of the Gospel, and all his anger might fall on the head of Paul. . . O cruelty! O devilish instigation! They saw him in bonds, and cast into prison, and still they envied him. (Chrysostom, Homily II, On Philippians, Chapter 1.)

18 For what? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is announced. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will be rejoicing. 19 For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation through your entreaty, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be ashamed, but in all boldness, as always, also now in Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

1. Living the Gospel

Let us not then be sluggish. God hath placed before us contests within measure, having no toil. . . what excuse shall we have if we will not endure those which are less, and which have a greater reward? For which of Christ's ordinances is burdensome? which is grievous? Art thou unable to live a virgin life? Thou art permitted to marry. Art thou unable to strip thyself of all thou hast? Thou art permitted to supply the needs of others from what thou hast. Let "your abundance be a supply for their want." (2 Cor. viii. 14.). . . But His other commands require no cost, no violence. For tell me, what violence is there in speaking no ill, in simply abstaining from slander? What violence is there in envying not another man's goods? What violence in not being led away by vain-glory? (Chrysostom, Homily II, On Philippians, Chapter 1.)