2:1 If {1} [there be] therefore any consolation in {a} Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any {b} bowels and mercies,
(1) A most earnest request to remove all those things, by which that great and special consent and agreement is commonly broken, that is, contention and pride, by which it comes to pass that they separate themselves from one another.
(a) Any Christian comfort.
(b) If any seeking of inward love.
2:1 Exhortation to a Holy Life
SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS 2:
Like-mindedness Commended. Lowliness Enjoined. The Lowliness and the Exaltation of Christ. Working Out Their Own Salvation. Becoming Lights in the World. The Relations of Paul and Timothy. Epaphroditus and His Sickness.
If [there be] therefore any consolation, etc. The apostle does not doubt that there is consolation, comfort, spiritual fellowship, etc. in Christ, but bases an exhortation on what the Philippians knew to be the case.
Bowels and mercies. Tender mercies and compassion, as in the Revised Version.
2:1 If there be therefore any consolation - In the grace of Christ. If any comfort - In the love of God. If any fellowship of the Holy Ghost; if any bowels of mercies - Resulting therefrom; any tender affection towards each other.
2:1-4 Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind.
