A.D. 62.

!

11 Not that I speak
in respect of want:
for I have learned in
whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be con-
tent.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: where, and in all

11. Not that I was reduced to absolute Want, or was uneasy, before you fent Epaphroditus to me; for though I had but little, I have learnt to be contented with any thing.

12. I am become so perfectly Master of myself, as to bear, with an equal Mind, the utmost Dethings I am inftruct- grees either of Profperity or Aded, both to be full versity. and to be hungry, both to abound and fuffer need. 13 I can do all * things, through Christ, * πάντα. which strengtheneth

me.

14 Notwithstanding, ye have well done, that ye did communicate withmy affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

13. I can do or fuffer any Hardship in the Course of my Apostolical Office, through the Affistance of Jesus Christ, who is ever present to support me.

14. However, you did very Christianly and well, in sending me a Supply; and in the Tokens you have given me, how much you sympathize with me in my present Affliction.

15 & 16. And I must acknowledge, to your particular Credit, that while I was Preaching in your Parts, I received Contributions from no Church but yours, and especially at my leaving Macedonia, and while I was at Thessalonica, you sent Collections to me several times.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my neceffity.

purely to encourage you in general to such excellent A. D. 62. Acts of Christian Charity and Beneficence, as will be most amply and gloriously rewarded.

18 But I have all,

18. What you have now sent
is abundantly enough for me; and
God will accept it as the best
Sacrifice you could offer up to

and abound : I am full,
having received of E-
paphroditus the things
which were fent from
you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a facrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

19 But my God

shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jefus.

him.

19. And the same God, whose Apostle I am, will not fail, out of the infinite Fulness of divine Goodness towards us, in the glorious Dispensation of Jesus Christ, to

give you a plentiful Return of Supplies, for your Liberality towards me.

20 Now unto God

20 Now to him, our fupream and our Father be Creator and Father, be Glory for glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every

faint in Christ Jesus. The brethren * which are with me greet you.

22 All faints

falute you, chiefly they that are of Ce

far's houshold.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Chrift be with you all. Amen.

ever and ever. Amen.

21 & 22. My hearty Love to all the Christians in your Parts, as all the Christian Brethren here give theirs to you and them; particularly the Converts that belong to the Emperor's Court.

23. The Love and Favour of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you all. Amen.

It was written to the Philippians from Rome, by Epa-
phroditus.

* Ver. 21. The Brethren; viz. The Ministers, in Contradiflinction to the Saints here, and in the following Verse.

A PARA

xviii. 23. Converfion, by sending others to them for that Purpose, is allowed by all; and that Epaphras was the Perfon particularly employed by him there, feems probable from Chap. i. 7. Upon hearing their Steddiness to the Christian Faith, in Oppofition to the Jewish Zealots, that would have perfwaded them (as they endeavoured to do all other Chriftian Converts) to a necessity of obferving the Geremonial Law; and likewise to arm them still against the Mixture of Gentile Philofophy (or of fuch Speculations as fome Jewish Zealots might have learn'd from Gentile Philofophers) with their Christian Principles, he fends them

xix. 10. But that he was concerned in their this Epistle; wherein he expresseth his great Satisfaction at their Constancy in their Profession, and confirms them in it, against the Infinuations of each of those Adversaries. It was written at the fame Time and Place with those to

the Ephesians and Philippians (viz. during his Confinement at Rome) and in the fame Strain of Expressions. For a clearer Notion whereof the Reader may please to fee, and

compare this with, the Preface to the Ephesians.

CHAP. I.

The CONTENTS.

The Title. He congratulates their Conversion, and Steddy Adherence to the Christian Religion. Prays for their Continuance in it. Declares it to have ever been the gracious Purpose of God to bestow on them (the Believing Gentiles) the Blessings of Christ's Religion, as well as on the Jewish Nation; and Himself, the Apostle especially Commissioned to preach it to them and the rest of the Gentile World.

AUL an

Pof Jesus Chrift,

by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

2 To the faints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Coloffe: Grace be un

to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Chrift.

3 We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always

for you:

4 Since

1 & 2.

•PAUL, called by the ex- A. D. 62.

press * Revelation of God to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Ats ix. sendeth this Epistle to the steddy and faithful Christian Church of Coloffe. Wishing you all Spiritual Favours and Blessings from God our fupreme Creator and Father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord and Governour; as does also Timothy my Christian Brother.