English · Geneva

Theodoret of Cyrus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,374 passages across 50 books

On Philippians

21–36 of 36
Philippians 2:23-24

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

Even here he does not expressly announce that he will come but makes this depend on the providence of God. And clearly he has not yet wholly escaped his former peril.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.23-24

Philippians 2:25

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.

Paul attributes many accomplishments to Epaphroditus. He calls him not merely a brother but a fellow worker and a fellow soldier. And Paul has even called him their apostle, because he has been entrusted with their care. Thus it is apparent that those who were called bishops in the earlier part of the letter held their charge under Epaphroditus, being obviously presbyters. And he calls him a “minister to his need,” because he had brought the necessities that they had sent, as was their duty, analogous to contributions for civic officers.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.25

Philippians 2:27

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 sorrow upon sorrow.

The words “God had mercy on him” also reveal Epaphroditus’s zeal for the contest. He did not wish to be rid of his wretched life, even knowing the gain that was to spring from it. “And God also pitied me,” says Paul, “by not depriving me of my fellow worker.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.26-7

Philippians 3:5

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;

“My Jewish identity,” he says, “is in no way ambiguous. I do not come from a family that was only partially Jewish. I am a plant of freedom, a son of Rachel the beloved, on whose behalf the patriarch himself endured slavery.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.5

Philippians 3:6

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

“When I was harrying the church,” he says, “I was not driven by love of honor or vainglory or jealousy, like the rulers of the Jews. I was burning with zeal for the law.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.6

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count 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,

It is not that I flee them as base things but that I prefer what is superior. Having tasted the grain, I throw away the refuse. For refuse means the denser and harder part of the chaff. It carries the grain but is discarded once the grain has been collected.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.8

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

To know “the power of his resurrection” means to know through faith that he is the God and Maker of all, he assumed our nature, he effected our salvation, and he was raised again in the body that he had taken as he conceived the common salvation of all humanity. To know “the power of his resurrection” is to know the purpose of his resurrection.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.9-10

Philippians 3:12

Not 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 Jesus.

“It was he who first caught me in his net” Paul says in effect, “for I was fleeing him and was turned well away. He caught me as I fled. But now I in turn am the pursuer in my desire of catching him, that I may not be a disappointment to his saving work.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.12

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Some think that “paying no heed to the things behind” refers to life under the law. I think he says this of his labors as a preacher. For his custom was to be cursory and to mingle doctrinal statement with exhortation. What he says then is “I pay no heed to my previous labors, but I strive enthusiastically to press on to those ahead.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.13-14

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This is how we should think about the crowns laid up for us. For even if we do not perceive exactly what these are like, we ought at least to know that God, as Master of the contest, will reveal this to us.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 3.15

Philippians 4:3

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.

Now some have been foolish enough to suppose that the yokefellow was his wife, not considering that when he wrote to the Corinthians he reckoned himself among the unmarried. … So the yokefellow is so called because he bore the same yoke of piety.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.3

Philippians 4:18

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.

“You gave to Epaphroditus,” Paul says, “and Epaphroditus gave to me, and God himself received the sacrifice through me.” Their praise is enhanced by their poverty. They were not prosperous when they sent their gifts but trapped in the utmost poverty.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.18

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Their gifts are like an aroma of sacrifice, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God. Paul prays that the givers will also be recipients of necessities for the present life. He prays that “God will supply every need of yours.” And there is nothing absurd in asking this blessing on them. For the Lord himself in the holy Gospels bids us say “give us our daily bread.”

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.19

Philippians 4:20

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Here he praises the Father alone, whereas elsewhere he praises the Son alone. … He does not divide the Son from the Father or the Father from the Son. He offers the hymn to the divine nature as a whole.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.20

Philippians 4:21

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

Not everyone who calls himself a saint is a saint but only the one who believes in the Lord Jesus and lives according to his teaching.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.21

Philippians 4:23

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

The letter to the Philippians was sent from Rome by the hand of Epaphroditus.

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.23

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