Even as it is meet for me to think this of you
all
Some connect these words with (
Philippians 1:3-5 ) ; as if the apostle's sense was, that it
became him to be thus affected to them, and mindful of them in
his prayers, to make request for them with joy, and give thanks
for their fellowship in the Gospel, and continuance in it; but
they seem rather to refer to his confidence of the good work
begun in them, being performed until the day of Christ, and which
was but just and right in him to entertain and assert; and may be
understood either of a judgment of faith, or a judgment of
charity: in a judgment of faith the apostle might be confident,
and so may every other man, that all that believe in Christ
truly, and have a good work begun in them, that shall be
finished; for nothing is more certain, nor is there anything that
a man can be more confident of, than this, that he that believes
in Christ shall be saved; and this the apostle was fully
persuaded of with respect to everyone in this church, that was a
believer in Christ; and in a judgment of charity, it was meet and
proper, just and right, to think, judge, hope, and believe so of
everyone of them, since there was nothing in their profession,
conduct, and conversation, showing the contrary:
because I have you in my heart;
or "you have me in your heart"; and either reading carries in it
a reason why it was fit and right that he should so think and
judge concerning them; because they were, as the Syriac version
renders it, "put" or "laid" upon his heart; whenever he was at
the throne of grace, his heart was enlarged on their account, his
affections were wonderfully drawn out towards them, and they were
ever in his mind, "both in [his] bonds, and in the defence of the
Gospel"; whether in the prison, or in the pulpit, or whatever he
was about in the cause or affairs of religion, they were in his
heart and thoughts; from whence he concluded they must belong to
God, the good work must be in them, and would be performed; it is
a token for good when the Lord lays the case of any upon the
hearts of his ministers, or any of his people; and also, because
they had him in their hearts, they were affectionate to him, ever
thoughtful and mindful of him; and had lately given a specimen of
their love to him, as a servant of Christ, and prisoner of the
Lord; and as they, so he might know, that they had passed from
death to life, because they loved the brethren, and him in
particular for his works' sake, who had been an useful instrument
in the hand of God among them: and another reason follows,
inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of
the Gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace;
or "partakers with me of grace"; meaning either that they were
partakers of the same electing, redeeming, adopting, justifying,
pardoning, and regenerating grace, as he was; had obtained the
same like precious faith in Christ, and knowledge of him, as he
had, though not to the same degree; and therefore might well be
assured of the performance of the good work in them, having no
more to doubt of their salvation than of his own: or rather by
"grace", or as the Vulgate Latin version reads it, "joy", he
designs his sufferings for Christ, and the sake of his Gospel;
which he so calls, because it was given him by God, as a token of
his favour, and a mark of honour and respect, to suffer for
Christ, as well as believe in him; and therefore rejoiced that he
was counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. Now these
Philippians were partakers with him of this, both in his "bonds",
by sympathizing with him, praying for him, sending relief unto
him, and by suffering such like things themselves; and "in the
defence and confirmation of the Gospel", whether by suffering,
preaching, or writing; they stood by him, encouraged and assisted
him, when others forsook him, and laid difficulties and
discouragements in his way; on account of all which it was but
meet and proper he should entertain such sentiments of them as
before expressed.