Bible Commentary

Philippians 3:15-16

Philippians 3:15-16

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and set our hearts upon Christ and heaven, as he did. 1. He shows that this was the thing wherein all good Christians were agreed, to make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. This is that whereto we have all attained. However good Christians may differ in their sentiments about other things, this is what they are agreed in, that Christ is a Christian's all, that to win Christ and to be found in him involve our happiness both here and hereafter. And therefore let us walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. Having made Christ our all, to us to live must be Christ. Let us agree to press towards the mark, and make heaven our end. 2. That this is a good reason why Christians who differ in smaller matters should yet bear with one another, because they are agreed in the main matter: "If in any thing you be otherwise minded--if you differ from one another, and are not of the same judgment as to meats and days, and other matters of the Jewish law--yet you must not judge one another, while you all meet now in Christ as your centre, and hope to meet shortly in heaven as your home. As for other matters of difference, lay no great stress upon them, God shall reveal even this unto you. Whatever it is wherein you differ, you must wait till God give you a better understanding, which he will do in his due time. In the mean time, as far as you have attained, you must go together in the ways of God, join together in all the great things in which you are agreed, and wait for further light in the minor things wherein you differ."

The Apostle Urges His Own Example. (a. d. 62.)

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Philippians 3:15-16

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Philippians 3 — OverviewPhilippians 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHe cautions them against judaizing seducers (ver. 1-3) and proposes his own example: and here he enumerates the privileges of his Jewish state which he rejected (ver. 4-8), describes the matter of his own choice…Philippians 3 — OverviewPhilippians 3 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePhilippians 3:1, He warns them to beware of the false teachers of the circumcision; Philippians 3:4, shewing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law; Philippians 3:7, which…Philippians 3 — OverviewPhilippians 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the apostle cautions the Philippians against false teachers, whom he describes as evil men, and exhorts them to walk as they had him, and other faithful ministers for an example. And whereas these…Philippians 3:1-16Philippians 3:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe true circumcision. Contemplated close of the Epistle. "Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." It would seem that, at this point, the apostle contemplated bringing the Epistle to a close. He intimates that, in…Philippians 3:1-21Philippians 3:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONPhilippians 3:12-16Philippians 3:12-16 · The Pulpit CommentarySt. Paul's humility. I. HE HAS NOT YET ATTAINED; HE IS NOT PERFECT. 1. The most advanced Christian is always the humblest. The nearer we draw to Christ, the more we feel our own unworthiness. The light of Christ's…