21
THINGS THAT ARE MORE EXCELLENT
`Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also' (2 Cor.
8:6).
`This is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of
that which ye have' (2 Cor. 8:10,11).
It is impossible to substitute the idea of `discontinuance' for `finish' or `perform' in these verses without reducing
the earnest appeal of the apostle to nonsense. If we will now turn back to chapter 7 of this same epistle we shall see
that `discontinuance' if introduced there becomes a positive menace to truth.
`Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God' (2 Cor. 7:1).
Paul may not have been sure that he, himself, would `attain' (Phil. 3:11), but he was blessedly certain of the
faithful performance of his God.
Paul had very much before his mind `the day of Jesus Christ' (Phil. 1:6), `the day of Christ' (Phil. 1:10; 2:16).
`The day' he tells us which shall declare the character of all our service (1 Cor. 3:13), and he placed that day over
against `man's day' (1 Cor. 4:3, margin), even as he looked to `that day' for the crown of righteousness and for the
recognition of the faithful ministry of Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 1:18; 4:8).
This consciousness of `that day' is in complete harmony with the general theme of the epistle, which is the
practical outworking of the truth, the running of a race, the attaining unto perfection, the winning of a prize.
The apostle rounds off the first section of Philippians by telling the believers at Philippi that it was meet for him
to think `this' of them all, the word `this' referring to their blessedly assured `performance' or `continuance' because
of the mutual regard that the apostle and the Philippians had for each other in the defence and confirmation of the
gospel; by which words the apostle brings the subject round to that with which he had started, namely thanksgiving
for their fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
We shall appreciate this persistence the better as we proceed with the study of this epistle of race and prize.
Approving things that are more excellent
When in the preceding section we entered into the exposition of Philippians 1:3-26, the importance of Paul's
intention in using the two words `begun' and `perform' appeared so great that we did not stay to consider the section
as a whole. This omission we must now remedy before going further.
Omitting much detail which will be exhibited in the process of exposition, Philippians 1:3-26 can be set out as
follows :
FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL
(Corresponding with Philippians 4:11-20)
A 3-5.
Thanksgiving.
Fellowship and defence of gospel.
CONFIDENCE. Pepoitha (6).
B 6-8.
A 9-12.
Prayer (Paul's). Furtherance of gospel.
CONFIDENCE. Pepoitha (14).
B 13-18.
A 19-21.
Prayer (Philippians').
Furtherance of faith.
CONFIDENCE. Pepoitha (25).
B 22-26.
We must now give attention to the second pair of members in this structure, which occupies verses 9-18. The
first member is devoted to the prayer of verses 9-11 and to the examination of this we now devote ourselves. This
prayer is an alternation and may be exhibited as follows :