IV. Unity re commended. CHAP. walk in a manner worthy of your calling, with all lowliness of mind, and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love; earnestly endeavouring to 3 preserve the unity of the spirit in 4 the bond of peace: so as to be one body and one spirit, even as ye were called unto one hope; even as 5 there is one Lord, one faith, one 6 baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all things, and through all things, and in all things. But ye have not so learned but agree- Christ since ye have heard concernably to the ing him, and have been instructed, true spirit of the gos- according to the truth in Jesus, to pel. put off according to your former 22 behaviour the old man, who was going to destruction after the lusts 23 of error, and to renew yourselves 24 in the spirit of your mind, and to clothe yourselves with the new man, the man according to God, created in righteousness and true holiness. Various V. able to give a part unto the needy. CHAP Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ loved us, and gave 2 himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice unto God, of a sweetsmelling savour. But let not for- 3 nication, or any uncleanness, or excessive appetite, be even named amongst you, as becometh saints; or indecent and unchaste speeches, or unbecoming levity; but rather 4 thanksgiving. For be assured of 5 this, that no fornicator or unchaste person, or one of excessive appetites, who is an idolator, can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, which is the same as that of God. CHAP. V. inconsistent with Let no man deceive you with vain 6 words; for because of these things Vice quite the of God cometh upon anger the sons of disobedience. Do ye there- Christifore have no fellowship with them. anity. 25 Wherefore put away lying, and For though ye were formerly dark- 8 speak every man truth to his neigh-ness, yet now ye are light in the useful pre-bour; for we are members of each Lord; walk as children of light (for 9 other. If ye be angry, yet sin not; the fruit of light is in all goodness, 26 let not the sun go down upon your and righteousness, and truth) search- 10 27 anger; nor give any room to the ing out what is well-pleasing to the 28 accuser. Let him that hath stolen, Lord. And have no fellowship 11 steal no more, but rather let him with the unfruitful works of darklabour, providing with his hands ness, but rather reprove them. the good things of life, so as to be For it is shameful even to speak 12 cepts. CHAP. of those things which are done by thy mother, that it may be well CHAP. with thee, and that thou mayest VI. forced. them in secret. 1 VI. Exodus, XX. 12. And ye parents, be not severe with your children, but bring them and parents; up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ants 15 See then that ye walk circum-live long in the land." rudence spectly, not as unwise, but as wise men, redeeming the time, be17 cause the days are evil. Wherefore benot inconsiderate, but understand 18 what the will of the Lord is. And Servants, be obedient unto your 5 be not drunk with wine, or any worldly masters, as unto Christ, of Serv strong liquor, in which is dissolute-being very fearful of offending them, ness, but be filled with the spirit: in singleness of your heart, even 19 speaking among yourselves psalms without deceit or duplicity, as ye and hymns, and spiritual songs, obey Christ, not with eye-service, 6 singing and making melody with as men-pleasers; but as the serv20 your hearts to the Lord; giving ants of Christ, doing the will of thanks always for all things to God God from the heart, doing service 7 the Father, in the name of our Lord with good will to the Lord, and 21 Jesus Christ, submitting your- not to men only; knowing that 8 selves one to another in the love each will receive for himself, from of Christ. the Lord, the good which he hath done, whether he be a servant or free. ves 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your ity of husbands as to the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, 23 even as Christ is the head and sa24 viour of the body, the church as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also in every thing that is reasonable, be subject to their dhus ads; husbands. ters. And ye masters, deal equally 9 with them, forbearing threats,know- and mas ing that your master also is in heaven, with whom there is no respect of persons. Finally, my brethren, strengthen 10 25 Husbands, love your wives, even CHAP. Children, obey your parents in VI. the Lord, for this is right. This is chil- the first commandment, with a promise," Honour thy father and 1 Or buying your time out of the hands of those heathen idolaters, amongst whom you live, by carefully avoiding to His 24 Peace be unto the brethren, and 23 give them any just cause of offence. 212 CHAP. The address. ses his gra joy. ST. PAUL'S EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.' 1. AUL, and Timothy, servants the day of Christ; being filled with CHAP, of Jesus Christ, to all the holy the fruit of righteousness, through through Christ Jesus, that are at Jesus Christ, to the glory and Philippi, with their superintend-praise of God. with confi dence of 2 ants and deacons: Favour be unto Now I know that my present 19 you, and peace from God our Fa-imprisonment will end in my deli- Speaks ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ. verance through your prayers, and 3 I thank my God always upon a supply of the spirit of Jesus his release The apos- every remembrance of you, in every Christ according to my earnest ex- from Rome, tle expres prayer of mine for you all; mak-pectation and hope, that I shall titude and ing such prayer with joy for your disgrace myself in no respect; but 20 kind contribution to the gospel, with all freedom of speech now, as 5 under the same confidence from at all other times, Christ will be 6 the first day until now, that each honoured in my body, whether by of you who hath begun a good life or by death. For me indeed 21 work will go on to finish it until to live is to be employed in preach7 the day of Jesus Christ; as it is ing Christ, and to die is gain. but just for me to entertain this But if this life in the flesh be to me 22 opinion of you all, because ye all a fruitful employment in his goshave me in your heart, and shared pel, what I should choose in this with me in this ministry, both dur-case, I cannot say. For I am in 23 ing these bonds of mine, and dur- a strait between these two things, ing my defence and confirmation having a desire to depart, and to 8 of the gospel; for God is my wit-be with Christ (which would be far ness, how I long for you all with better), and yet to continue in this 24 the tender affections of Jesus Christ; life is more needful on your ac9 with this prayer also, that your love count. Indeed I know this with a 25 may abound yet more and more, full assurance, that I shall continue 10 with knowledge, and all under-in this life, and continue with you standing, to distinguish the things all for your satisfaction, and the 11 which are excellent, so as to be furtherance of your faith, that your 26 sincere and without offence until glorifying in Christ Jesus may I This epistle was written from Rome to the Christians of Philippi, a city of Macedonia, some time before the end of A.D. 62. The design of it was to thank the Philippians for the supply they had sent him; to comfort them under the concern they had expressed for his imprisonment; to check a party spirit that had crept in among them; and to promote, on the contrary, an entire union and harmony of affection; to guard them against being seduced from the purity of the Christian faith, by Judaising teachers; to support them under the trials with which they struggled; and, above all, to inspire Those ministers who superintended and 3 Those who had the management of the collections for the poor, 4 Or a true Christian spirit, particularly fortitude and firmness, which the apostle had great occasion for, in his defence before Nero. II. and forti ude. 1 sence with you again. III. CHAP. abound through me, by my pre- | self still further, and became obe- CHAP. dient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God on his 9 part hath very highly exalted him, and bestowed on him a name which is above every name, that by the 10 name of Jesus every knee should bow, or all opposite authority be put down, of beings in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess Jesus Christ to be Lord to the glory of God the Father. 27 Only let your conduct be wornd exhorts thy of the gospel of Christ; that if unity I come, 1 may see, or if absent, may hear of you, that ye continue 28 striving together with one mind and one soul, unterrified by all opposers, for the spreading of that faith of the gospel, which is to them a proof of destruction, but 29 to you of salvation. For this kindness hath God vouchsafed to you with respect to Christ, not only to believe in him, but even to suffer 30 for him, enduring the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me. CHAP. recom mended by ole of Christ, 4 5 to serve Wherefore, my beloved bre- 12 thren! as ye always obeyed me and a ready willingness with great fear of giving offence, not only when I was present, but each other. much more now in my absence; promote the welfare of each other, for God is working in you, by the 13 help and advantages, which you enjoy both to be willing, and to perform. Do all things with good- 14 will, without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless 15 and uncorrupt, spotless children of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom shine ye forth as lights in the world, holding out the doctrine of 16 life; that I may boast of you in the day of Christ, as not having run my race in vain, nor laboured Therefore, if encouragement II. in Christ, if the consolation of Humility love, if a spiritual union, if affection and compassion have any The exam- power, fill ye up my joy by having the same dispositions, the same love, the same soul, the same mind. 3 Let there be no quarrel or vainglory; but with all humility give the preference to one another. 4 Let each consider not their own concerns only, but the concerns of 5 others also. Let the same disposition be in you, which was also in 6 Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, speaking and work-in vain. Yea, even if I be pour- 17 ing miracles in his name, did not ed out upon the sacrifice and offeresteem it a prey to be like God, ing of your faith, I will rejoice,. but made himself of no account, and rejoice with you all. In the 18 7 taking the form of a servant, by same manner do ye rejoice, and re- ́ stooping to the lowest offices of joice with me. servitude, and resembling the com8 monest of men; and when found in the figure and condition of an ordinary man, he humbled him 1 When I shall bestow on you more spiritual gifts, and confirm you in the faith. • None can have faith in the gospel without believing that those who oppose it and perish in their vices, must be punished. 3 The Jews who were under an heavenly dispensation. The Gentiles, or all other living per III. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in CHAP. the Lord. To write the same things unto you is not troublesome to me, and is safe for you. I count III. thing is to be postpon IV. CHAP. all things but loss in respect of the, Lord Jesus Christ, who will change CHAP excellence of the knowledge of this lowly body of ours into the form of his glorious body, according 21 to the efficacy by which he is able even to make all things subject to himself. Wherefore, my brethren, CHAP. beloved and greatly desired, my joy and crown, thus stand firmly in the Lord, my beloved. IV. tions to various im Every Christ Jesus my Lord; for whose sake I have suffered the loss of ed to the all worldly things, and count religion of them but refuse that I might gain Christ, Christ, and be found in him, not 9 having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that through faith in Christ which is from God, Rejoice in the Lord always; again 4 10 so as to know Christ, and the ef- I say, rejoice. Let your reason- Exhortaficacy of his resurrection, with a ableness be known unto all men. participation of his sufferings, by The Lord is near. Be anxious portant du 11 conforming myself to his death, if about nothing, but in every thing ties. I may by any means arrive at aby prayer and supplication, with 6 complete resurrection from dead thanksgiving, let your requests be 12 works. Not that I have already made known unto God. And may 7 attained this or already finished my that peace which exceedeth all comrace; but am still pursuing, if I prehension, keep your hearts and may after all lay hold on that for minds in Christ Jesus. which I also was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. tual ad vances made to 13 3 Finally, brethren, whatsoever 8 and perpe- self to have laid hold upon it; but 17 be followed ned. Be ye together imitators of me, Good ex- brethren, and observe those who amples to who walk after the pattern which and bad ye have in us. For many walk, ones shun- of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that 18 they are the enemies of the cross 19 of Christ, whose end is the ruin of others, whose God is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, whose mind is on earthly things. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, whence we look for a deliverer, our I have learned in whatsoever 11 state I am, therewith to be content. I know what it is to be brought 12 low, and I know what it is to abound. At all times and in all conditions I am instructed both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to want. I can bear 13 all things through him, who strengtheneth me. Now unto our 20 God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The favour of 23 our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. |