Gaius Marius Victorinus — Commentary on Scripture

Philippians 3:21

When we rise and are changed and are made spiritual in soul, body and spirit (for all these three make up one man and are one spirit), the body in which we have been humbled will be raised. It will be of the same and an equal form to the body of Christ’s own glory. So too we shall be spirits as he himself is a spirit.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.21

Philippians 3:21

In this place of worship dwells the mystery of the resurrection. For what was fulfilled in Christ in the flesh was this: that he should save souls and also cause immortality to be given to the flesh through resurrection. This he accomplished by the power of his cross.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.21

Philippians 4:1

Love, the sum of every virtue for the Christian, does not fittingly come to pass if the faithful do not stand united as one, thinking in harmony. This is what Paul means here by “Stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” We may understand that he wants them to be united in understanding from the fact that he calls them [literally] “most beloved brethren.” Mutual love is the result of thinking in unison and standing together in Christ. When all have equal faith in Christ all of us stand together in him.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.1

Philippians 4:2

He asks that these women should seek a common understanding in the Lord. Out of their belief in Christ, they should think and understand what the gospel says about Christ. But he says “I ask,” implying that this will be to their benefit. “I do not command or order; I ask.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.2

Philippians 4:3

I have said above that he promised that Epaphroditus would come to Philippi, and then I showed that Paul sent him when he said “and so I sent him in haste.” Therefore this is now, so to speak, added so that he may give him a command in the letter, praying and beseeching him to tell those women, Euodia and Syntyche, to have a common understanding in the Lord.… And that Epaphroditus is the one to whom he gives this command to help the aforesaid women to reach a common understanding can be perceived from the fact that he says, “I pray and beseech you, brother and yokefellow,” whereas above he said, “I thought Epaphroditus needful, my brother and fellow soldier.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.3

Philippians 4:4

This means that the consequence of having unity in understanding and faith is that they rejoice in the Lord and are always dear to one another. “Rejoice,” he says “in the Lord”—this is too little: “again I say rejoice.” For when you are joined in heart you rejoice in the Lord, and when you rejoice in the Lord you are joined in heart and stand together in the Lord.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.4-5

Philippians 4:5

Forbearance is individual patience that observes due measure without straining beyond its station. When we live among strangers and live in a way commensurate with our lowliness, God will lift us up. So it is here; we do well to recognize our lowliness. “Therefore let your moderation,” he says, “be known to all.” Why does he tell us this? So that we may make a pleasing show here? No, but so that when Christ comes he may raise up our lowliness and exalt our moderation.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.4-5

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything.” This means: Do not be concerned for yourselves. Do not give unnecessary thought to or be anxious about the world or worldly things. For all that is needful for you in this life God provides. And it will be even better in that life which is eternal.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.6

Philippians 4:7

When the peace of God has come upon us, we shall understand God. There will be no discord, no disagreement, no quarrelsome arguments, nothing subject to question. This is hardly the case in worldly life. But it shall be so when we have the peace of God, wherein all understanding shall be ours. For peace is the state of being already at rest, already secure.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.7

Philippians 4:8

“Whatever is true”—What are these true things? They are set out in the gospel: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and all that goes with that good news. When your thoughts are true, it follows that they will be honorable. What is true is not corrupted, which means that it is honorable. What is not corrupted is true. Then what is true and honorable will also be just, for it is made just or justified. And what is made just is pure since it receives sanctification from God. All that is just, honorable, true and pure is lovable and also gracious. For who does not love these saintly virtues? Who does not speak and think well of them?… Of this list some items pertain to true virtue in itself, while the later ones pertain to the fruit of virtue. To virtue it belongs to love truth, honor, justice and purity. To the fruit of virtue belongs that which is lovely and gracious.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.8-9

Philippians 4:8

In saying “if there be any excellence, any praise,” he takes good note of the nature of things. For all things happen by the grace of God, who governs and rules through the Spirit that he sends into us. We count on nothing of our own, but on grace alone. This is why he speaks conditionally: “if any excellence,” for the virtues being nurtured in us are not from us but from God’s grace. So not even the praise is ours. Therefore he also says “if there is anything worthy of praise.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.8-9

Philippians 4:9

“These things,” he says, “do.” And above he says “think about” these things. He adds do to show that these things are not only good to think about but to bring into action.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.8-9

Philippians 4:9

Then he points to the blessing, as he has before: Do this and “the God of peace will be with you.” This is what the Philippians needed most, that there should be no discord, that all should think as one. Thus there will be peace in their church. The God of peace, who is the Father, with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, will impart peace to every soul that is intimate with God.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.8-9

Philippians 4:17

“I am not in want,” Paul says, “nor do I ask for these things out of my own need. But you ought to practice benevolence simply in order that your abundance of benevolence may be for me the fruit of your good deeds.… When I either ask God on your behalf or give him thanks on your account, there is fruit for me in my prayer on your account, so long as I know that you are abounding in benevolence.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.17

Philippians 4:22

Many apparently have believed even from Caesar’s household. These are people who would otherwise have walked proudly and thought of nothing but Caesar. The power of the gospel has been revealed to these people. Many others who have believed are humble people. He equally greets them all, humbly and affably, wherever they are. The word “especially” in relation to “those of Caesar’s household” makes it apparent that they are taking pains to be pleasing in service.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.21-22

Philippians 4:23

He knew that the Philippians, unlike those addressed in his other letters, held to correct teaching. They had not been seduced by false apostles. He is here writing only a short letter of exhortation. He prays that “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” For if the Spirit dwells within them, they will respond rightly.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.23

Proverbs 8:22

Solomon says, “You have made me above your ways.” For, concerning spiritual generation, he immediately adds, “He has begotten me before all things.”

LETTER TO CANDIDUS 4:29

Psalms 60:11-12

Would a man who was only a man say this of himself? For if a person says this, he blasphemes, and “God does not hear sinners.” But indeed Christ says that God hears him. He is therefore neither sinner nor mere man. It has also been said, “Vain is the hope in man.” And it is said, “As for us we hope in our God.”Christ is therefore God, not coming from any other substance; “the Father is living, and I live because of the Father,” and, “I am the bread of life; the one who eats this will live for all time.” All the statements signify one substance. And that is why Jesus says that he is from above who says this: “If therefore you will see the Son of man ascending, where was he before?”

AGAINST ARIUS IA 2.1.B.7

Romans 2:5

Without doubt this is said of Christ, for he himself will judge.

AGAINST ARIUS 1A.17

Romans 8:6

“To set the mind on the Spirit is life.” For error, imprudence and ignorance are impassioned, self-rebellious, self-contradictory. And because of this “to set the mind on the flesh,” which is imprudence, is death, because it does not know God. Therefore, “to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

AGAINST ARIUS 3.c.1