14 Do all things without protests and arguments;
And do not say evil things against the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them.
Doing nothing through envy or through pride, but with low thoughts of self let everyone take others to be better than himself;
And after Paul and Barnabas had had no little argument and discussion with them, the brothers made a decision to send Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them to the Apostles and the rulers of the church at Jerusalem about this question.
The only effect of pride is fighting; but wisdom is with the quiet in spirit.
Because you are still in the flesh: for when there is envy and division among you, are you not still walking after the way of the flesh, even as natural men? For when one says, I am of Paul; and another says, I am of Apollos; are you not talking like natural men? What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? They are but servants who gave you the good news as God gave it to them.
Now I make request to you, my brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will all say the same thing, and that there may be no divisions among you, so that you may be in complete agreement, in the same mind and in the same opinion. Because it has come to my knowledge, through those of the house of Chloe, that there are divisions among you, my brothers. That is, that some of you say, I am of Paul; some say, I am of Apollos; some say, I am of Cephas; and some say, I am Christ's.
Now, it is my desire, brothers, that you will take note of those who are causing division and trouble among you, quite against the teaching which was given to you: and keep away from them.
Do not put on one side him who is feeble in faith, and do not put him in doubt by your reasonings.
And there was a sharp argument between them, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and went by ship to Cyprus;
And when there had been much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, My brothers, you have knowledge that some time back it was God's pleasure that by my mouth the good news might be given to the Gentiles so that they might have faith.
We might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.
Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it. An angry man makes men come to blows, but he who is slow to get angry puts an end to fighting.
Talking against him secretly in their tents, they did not give ear to the voice of the Lord.
How long am I to put up with this evil people and their outcries against me? The words which they say against me have come to my ears.
And in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord; for your angry words against the Lord have come to his ears: and what are we that you are crying out against us? And Moses said, The Lord will give you meat for your food at evening, and in the morning bread in full measure; for your outcry against the Lord has come to his ears: for what are we? your outcry is not against us but against the Lord.
These are the men who make trouble, ever desiring change, going after evil pleasures, using high-sounding words, respecting men's position in the hope of reward.
And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart.
Let your desire be for peace with all men, and to be made holy, without which no man may see the Lord;
If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion, He has an over-high opinion of himself; being without knowledge, having only an unhealthy love of questionings and wars of words, from which come envy, fighting, cruel words, evil thoughts, Bitter talk of men who, being evil in mind and dead to what is true, take the faith to be a way of making profit.
And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Let all bitter, sharp and angry feeling, and noise, and evil words, be put away from you, with all unkind acts; And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.
But if you are given to fighting with one another, take care that you are not the cause of destruction one to another.
For I have a fear that, when I come, you may not be answering to my desire, and that I may not be answering to yours; that there may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk about others, secrets, thoughts of pride, outbursts against authority;
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Philippians 2
Commentary on Philippians 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to several duties, to be like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he presses from the example of Christ (v. 1-11), to be diligent and serious in the Christian course (v. 12, 13), and to adorn their Christian profession by several suitable graces (v. 14-18). He then concludes with particular notice and commendation of two good ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom he designed to send to them (v. 19-30).
Phl 2:1-11
The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may observe,
Phl 2:12-13
Phl 2:14-18
The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances.
Phl 2:19-30
Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was himself a great apostle, and laboured more abundantly than they all, yet he took all occasions to speak with respect of those who were far his inferiors.