10 likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things putings : that ye may be blameless and harmless, the 9 Before honour is humility. a name which is above every 10 Take care, and bend the heart also; the will, the understanding, the affections. 16 15 12 As men move their bodies at their pleasure, though the power and the will to move them be God's gift, so they are to work out salvation for their soul in the same free-will; though here also both the power and the will are of God. without murmurings and dis 15 To live at peace with all men is the Christian's most earnest desire. sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world: holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 16 The hope of his people's final acceptance was a thought which continually animated St. Paul to perse vere in the arduous course which at last he finished so well. and service of your faith, I joy, 18 Such, I trust, is now the sympathy between you and your minister. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that But 27 What a sustaining power has a sense of duty! Sick unto deathyet the minister of Christ regardeth not his life, to do his Master's work. ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorI sent him therefore the more carefully, row upon sorrow. that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. we CHAPTER III. MARCH 4, JULY 3, OCT. 29. 1 The written word is always st hand a present and safe guide. indeed is not grievous, but for 2 Beware of those false teachers who would persuade you to be circumcised. 3 The circumcised in heart are the true circumcision; being that, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. 'FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me 2 Beware of you it is safe. dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count Few gave up more worldly fante for Christ's sake than St. Paul. all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffer • Trust not thou in thine own righteousness-Christ is "the Lord, our righteousness." that which is through the faith 10 Your hope is, that in the power of Christ's resurrection, you shall rise from the dead! ings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resur 12 St. Paul never thought he had rection of the dead. 12 Not attained sinless perfection. as though I had already attained, either were already perfect : but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ. 13 13 If the Apostle still laboured to advance in holiness as earnestly as though he had made no progress, what becomes of the daring doctrine of assurance? (See Col. i. 23.) forth unto those things which mark for the prize of the high 15 The very perfection of which he speaks consists in this continual perseverance- this constant pressing toward the mark. Jesus. Brethren, I count 17 otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the 17 Well may we follow his noble same thing. Brethren, be and encouraging example. followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, 18 True, there were some- and when will there not be some-who disgrace their Christian profession. For them we weep. 20 Our every thought is heavendirected. whence also we look for the that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to 21 Glorious prospect of immortality! Our spirits, blessed-our bodies, glorified-we shall pass to our rest in heaven. Even so, Lord Jesus, for thy mercy's sake! the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. CHAPTER IV. MARCH 5, JULY 4, OCT. 30. THEREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved and longed 1 Thus your minister looks to find in you and your Christian brethren his joy and crown at the last day! Take heed, and fail him not! 2 Unity how often is it the Apostle's watchword. 3 Reader! is thy name in that book of life? Examine well thine heart! for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the 4 Even when persecuted, we may Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice in the Lord! Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made 4 5 Death is ever at hand; and after death comes the judgment. 6 Be not over-careful. Proper care is a duty; or why do we pray for help in our time of need! 7 The lowly Christian feels and rejoices in the peace of God; but that peace passeth understanding. 8 A heartstirring and affecting portraiture of christian character. Hap py he whose mind loves to "think on these things." known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 10 The Philippians had sent a supply to St. Paul during his imprisonHe rejoices to be grateful. ment. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with 15 A grateful heart delights to re my affliction. Now, ye Phi- member and recount past kindnesses, 15 12 A humble sense of his own infirmity, and a just confidence in divine help, are beautifully combined in this sentiment of the Apostle. JULY 5, OCT. 31. lippians, 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. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cæsar's houshold. The grace Lord Jesus Christ be with Amen. you all. of our 20 With what deep affection does the Apostle commend his people to the gracious care of God! Salute every saint in Christ 22 Even in the palace of Nero-the Cæsar of that day-the Gospel found some to favour it. Rulers have ever found it their surest safety to win the favour of God-their highest honour, to promote his glory! It was written to the Philippians from Rome by The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians. CHAPTER I. MARCH 6, JULY 5, OCT. 31. PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus 3 St. Paul never omits the comfort ing assurance to his people that his prayers are offered for them. Christ, praying always for you, Faith in Christ, and love to man, go together. 5 Faith looks to future recompense. heard before in the word since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, ye |