Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and…

“"Salvation" is "worked in" (Php 2:13; Eph 1:11) believers by the Spirit, who enables them through faith to be justified once for all; but it needs, as a progressive work, to be "worked out" by obedience, through the help of the same Spirit, unto perfection…”

Do everything without complaining or arguing,

“Jude 16). disputings--The Greek is translated "doubting" in 1Ti 2:8. But here referring to profitless "disputings" with our fellow men, in relation to whom we are called on to be "blameless and harmless" (Php 2:15): so the Greek is translated, Mr 9:33, 34.”

so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

“"Show yourselves" (compare Mt 5:14-16; Eph 5:8-13). as lights in the world--The Greek expresses "as luminaries in the world," as the sun and moon, "the lights," or "great lights," in the material world or in the firmament.”

as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

“Christ is "the Light of the world" (Joh 8:12); believers are only "light-bearers" reflecting His light. that I may rejoice in--literally, "with a view to (your being) a subject of rejoicing to me against the day of Christ" (Php 4:1; 1Th 2:19).”

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.

“But I trust--Yet my death is by no means certain; yea, "I hope (Greek) in the Lord (that is, by the Lord's help)" unto you--literally, "for you," that is, to your satisfaction, not merely motion, to you.”

I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs.

“Compare De 13:6, "Thy friend which is as thine own soul" (Ps 55:14). Paul's second self. naturally--Greek, "genuinely"; "with sincere solicitude."”

For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

“This is spoken, by comparison with Timothy; for Php 1:16, 17 implies that some of those with Paul at Rome were genuine Christians, though not so self-sacrificing as Timothy.”

For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

“Translate as Greek, "Inasmuch as he was longing after you all." full of heaviness--The Greek expresses the being worn out and overpowered with heavy grief. because that ye had heard that he had been sick--rather, "that he was sick."”

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

“"We are the (real) circumcision" (Ro 2:25-29; Col 2:11). worship God in the Spirit--The oldest manuscripts read, "worship by the Spirit of God"; our religious service is rendered by the Spirit (Joh 4:23, 24).”

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

“The Greek is literally, "Being in circumcision an eighth day person," that is, not one circumcised in later life as a proselyte, but on the eighth day after birth, as the law directed in the case of Jew-born infants.”

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

“He who counts himself perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity (1Jo 1:8); at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian at all (Mt 5:48). forgetting those things . . .”

I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

“Re 2:10, "crown of life." 1Pe 5:4, "a crown of glory that fadeth not away." "The high," or "heavenly calling," is not restricted, as ALFORD thinks, to Paul's own calling as an apostle by the summons of God from heaven; but the common calling of…”

All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.

“"As many of us then, as are perfect," that is, full grown (no longer "babes") in the Christian life (Php 3:3, "worshipping God in the Spirit, and having no confidence in the flesh"), 1Co 2:6, fully established in things of God.”

But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

“Roman citizenship was then highly prized; how much more should the heavenly citizenship (Ac 22:28; compare Lu 10:20)? is--Greek, "has its existence." in heaven--Greek, "in the heavens."”

who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

“Greek, "Who shall transfigure the body of our humiliation (namely, in which our humiliation has place, 2Co 4:10; 2Ti 2:12), that it may be conformed unto the body of His glory (namely, in which His glory is manifested), according to the effectual working whereby," &c.”

Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers…

“Either Timothy, Silas (Ac 15:40; 16:19, at Philippi), or the chief bishop of Philippi. Or else the Greek, "Sunzugus," or "Synzygus," is a proper name: "Who art truly, as thy name means, a yoke-fellow." Certainly not Paul's wife, as 1Co 9:5 implies he had none.”

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

“(Isa 61:10.) alway--even amidst the afflictions now distressing you (Php 1:28-30). again--as he had already said, "Rejoice" (Php 3:1). Joy is the predominant feature of the Epistle. I say--Greek, rather, "I will say."”

Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

“Exercise "forbearance" even to your persecutors. None is so ungracious as not to be kindly to someone, from some motive or another, on some occasion; the believer is to be so "unto all men" at all times.”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

“Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL]. by prayer and supplication--Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term.”

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“The same Greek verb is used in 1Pe 1:5. There shall be peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege. hearts and minds--rather, "hearts (the seat of the thoughts) and thoughts" or purposes. through--rather as Greek, "in Christ Jesus."”

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

“It is a term rather earthly and human, as compared with the names of the spiritual graces which Christianity imparts; hence the rarity of its occurrence in the New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparable.”

Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

“But--transitional conjunction. But "now" to pass to another subject. in the Lord--He views everything with reference to Christ.”

I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

“I have learned--The I in Greek is emphatical. I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented.”

Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.

“He here guards against their thinking from what he has just said, that he makes light of their bounty. ye did communicate with my affliction--that is, ye made yourselves sharers with me in my present affliction, namely, by sympathy; of which sympathy your contribution is…”

And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

“"Glory" is the element in which His rich grace operates; and it will be the element IN which He will "supply fully all your need."”