+I. They correspond.+--1. _Both adopt the Christian name._ 2. _Both
utter the same shibboleth._ 3. _Both active in preaching Christ._
+II. They differ.+--1. _In heart._ Contention rules the one; love
reigns in the other.
2. _In spirit._--Envy and strife moves the one; goodwill actuates the
other.
3. _In source of strength._--Love of party animates the one; waxing
confident in the Lord emboldens the other.
4. _In aim._--That of the one is to advance, it may be, a lifeless
Church; that of the other to propel the Gospel of Christ.
5. _In the depth and accuracy of conviction._--The one "supposing to
add affliction to my bonds"; the other "knowing that I am set for the
defence of the gospel."--_Lay Preacher._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 19-26.
_The Noble Attitude of a Sufferer for the Truth._
+I. The hostility of false brethren tends to the enlargement of the
truth, whatever may be the fate of the sufferer.+--1. _He is assured
of personal blessing from the Spirit through prayer._ "For I know
that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the
supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (ver. 19). The apostle already
sees how his troubles and suffering may develop his own spiritual
life and be a pathway to the glories of heaven. By the prayers of
God's people he looks for an abundant supply of the Spirit, by whose
agency his salvation will be perfected. The enemies of the good man
cannot rob him of his interest in Christ, and suffering only adds new
lustre to every Christian grace. The Port Royalist exclaimed, "Let us
labour and suffer; we have all eternity to rest in." Paul, who,
fighting with wild beasts, was a spectacle to angels and men, could
reckon that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."
2. _The greatness of Christ is set forth by the courage given to the
sufferer, though uncertain of what awaits him._--"According to my
earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed,
but . . . Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by
life, or by death" (ver. 20). With the earnest expectation and hope
of future glory, the apostle had no need to be ashamed of his work
for God or of God's work in him; but he regarded his sufferings, not
as a setting forth of his own goodness, but of the glory of Jesus,
who gave him strength and fortitude to endure. It is in tribulation
that the grace of Christ is most conspicuous. The Redeemer was
perfected through suffering; so are His followers.
+II. The alternative of life or death presents a problem the sufferer
is unable to solve.+--"What I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a
strait betwixt two" (vers. 22, 23).
1. _Life has great attractions._--(1) Christ may be further exalted.
"For to me to live is Christ" (ver. 21). Life is an opportunity for
setting forth Christ, and this is done by carefully copying His
example. "As I stood beside one of the wonderful Aubusson
tapestries," says Eugene Stock, "I said to the gentleman in charge,
'How is this done?' He showed me a small loom with a partly finished
web upon it, and said that the weaver stands behind his work, with
his materials by his side, and above him the picture he is to copy,
exactly thread for thread and colour for colour. He cannot vary a
thread or a shade without marring his picture." It is a glorious
thing for us to have a perfect life for example by which to form our
lives. And we cannot vary a hair-breadth from that example without
injuring our lives. (2) More results of Christian work may be
gathered. "But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
labour" (ver. 22). The best use of life is to employ it in working
for God. Work done for Him will remain when the worker is forgotten.
In ministerial work we may garner the most precious fruits. (3) Help
may be afforded to others. "Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is
more needful for you" (ver. 24). Paul was the pioneer and founder of
Christianity among the Gentiles, and the young Churches looked to him
for leadership and counsel. It seemed every way desirable that for
their sakes his life should be continued. No one felt this more
keenly than himself, though he was assured that if that life was
prematurely terminated the cause of the Gospel was safe in the hands
of God.
2. _Death admits to superior advantages._--"To die is gain" (ver.
21). Even by his death Christ would be glorified, and the apostle
admitted not to shame or loss, as his enemies supposed, but to a
state of blessed reward.
"Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,
Jordan past."
"Why should I fear death?" said Sir Henry Vane, as he awaited his
"execution; I find it rather shrinks from me than I from it."
"Death wounds to heal; I sink, I rise, I reign;
Spring from my fetters, fasten in the skies,
Where blooming Eden withers in my sight,
Death gives us more than we in Eden lost."--_Young._
+III. The undaunted sufferer is confident of continued opportunities
of advancing the joy of believers in the truth.+--"And having this
confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for
your furtherance and joy of faith, that your rejoicing may be more
abundant" (vers. 25, 26). This assurance was verified by the
apostle's return to Philippi on his release from his first captivity.
"Man is immortal till his work is done." Life is short, and every
moment of its duration should be spent for God and the good of
others. Shall we repine at our trials which are but for a moment? "We
are nearing home day by day," wrote General Gordon. "No dark river,
but divided waters are before us, and then let the world take its
portion. Dust it is, and dust we will leave it. It is a long, weary
journey, but we are well on the way of it. The yearly milestones
quickly slip by, and as our days so will our strength be. The sand is
flowing out of the glass, day and night, night and day; shake it not.
You have a work to do here, to suffer even as Christ suffered."
+Lessons.+--1. _The highest virtues are not gained without
suffering._ 2. _Suffering for the truth strengthens our attachment to
it._ 3. _Suffering for the truth is often a means of spreading it._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._