Names in the book of Life - Philippians 4:2-3 - Robert Hawker

"I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." [Philippians 4:2-3]

We have no account in any other part of Scripture, concerning those Persons Paul speaks of: Euodias, Syntyche, and Clement. No doubt, members of the Church at Philippi; and of the body of CHRIST. But let not the Reader overlook, how sweetly the Apostle intimates their union, and interest in CHRIST, in having their names in the book of life. This is the first, and predisposing cause, of all the blessedness of the Church. The names, by which is meant, the Persons of CHRIST'S mystical body, are all given by the FATHER to the SON; are all known by him, and loved by him, from all eternity. And CHRIST‘s love of them, in redeeming them, washing them in his blood, watching over them, and carrying them, through all the time-state of their being here below, until he brings them all home to glory: all, and every Covenant mercy in CHRIST, ariseth from the first, and original source; they were chosen in CHRIST before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4. And hence, from the same everlasting love, and on the same account, all the blessings they receive, from the quickening, and regenerating grace of GOD the HOLY GHOST, with all his gifts, and graces, from the first moment of GOD's electing love, until grace is summed up in glory: the whole, and every one, springs from hence, their names are written in the book of life. Not that GOD needs such records, as we do, in our transactions in life; but it is spoken in accommodation to our apprehension of things. It is expressive, both of GOD's purposes, and decrees; and of the personal choice the LORD hath made, of every one. Sweet, and precious truth! And, so infinitely important is it, in the view of CHRIST, that he bid his disciples rejoice more in the assurance of it, than even the devils being made subject to them through his name. And, beyond all doubt, it is an infinitely greater motive for joy: just as much as a cause is beyond an effect. See Luke 10:20. Hebrews 12:23.

The change of our vile body - Philippians 3:21 - Robert Hawker

"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." [Philippians 3:21]

When GOD the HOLY GHOST, in this scripture, by his servant the Apostle, saith, that CHRIST shall change our vile bodies; and this is said of the saints of GOD; nothing can be more evident, than that the bodies of regenerated believers, notwithstanding the holiness of the spirit, in being born again, whether in the grave, or alive, at the coming of CHRIST, are not changed by grace. If they were changed, they could not be said to be vile. If a perfection in part, even in the smallest part on the body, had taken place, at the regeneration of the spirit; that part, even in the thousandth degree, could no longer be said to be vile: neither could it be capable, as we see, and know it is, in every instance of corruption. Acts 13:36, 37. I conceive this to be so important a point of doctrine, and involves in it so many interesting consequences, that I pray the Reader not to pass away from it too hastily. It certainly is not very generally, if at all, attended to, or considered. The commonly received opinion, even by the godly, on this point is, that at regeneration, we are sanctified in part, both in body, and spirit. Whereas, if, as Paul saith here, CHRIST at his coming, will change our vile bodies; most certain it is, that no change whatever is made on the body at the new-birth, but the vast work is on the spirit only. And this is most plainly the case. The spirit at regeneration, is made as holy as it ever will be, being made a partaker of the divine nature; and having had given unto it, all things that pertain to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3, 4. And the body remains the same, unchanged by grace, but vile, and full of sin. And hence, when it drops to its original dust, it is expressly said to be sown in corruption, to be sown in weakness, to be sown a natural body. And hence, as CHRIST will change the vile bodies of his saints, which are alive at his coming: so, by his resurrection, he will raise up the bodies of his saints, which sleep in the dust, and which were sown in corruption. JESUS will raise them in incorruption, that they may be all fashioned like to his glorious body, whereby he is able, even to subdue all things unto himself. Oh precious JESUS! thou who art the resurrection and the life! May my flesh rest in hope of this assured blessedness!

"Your work is to lead men..." - John Gill

"Souls sensible to sin and danger, and who are crying out, What shall we do to be saved? you are to observe, and point out Christ the tree of life to them; and say, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, Acts 16:31. Your work is to lead men, under a sense of sin and guilt, to the blood of Christ, shed for many for the remission of sin, and in his name you are to preach the forgiveness of them." - John Gill

Confidence in His performance - Philippians 1:6

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6]

I beg the Reader not to overlook the confidence with which the Apostle tells the Church of their safety in grace. He that began the good work is a wise Master-builder, who never entered upon so grand a concern, as the salvation of the soul, to leave it unfinished. And the reason is evident. Because the beginning of the good work in regeneration, is, in fact, but the finishing the first and original purposes of GOD in election, the confirming it in redemption, and now by quickening the soul, which was before dead in trespasses and sins, to the knowledge and enjoyment of it in regeneration, becomes an earnest and pledge of an interest in it to all eternity. This work of regeneration by the HOLY GHOST, though, in fact, the last in point of order among the Persons of the GODHEAD, is the first in point of our apprehension to the knowledge of the love of GOD. By this gracious act, GOD’S children are brought into spiritual life, to discover their having been chosen of GOD the FATHER before the world, and redeemed by GOD the SON in the time-state of the Church, and now, by regeneration, made partakers of an inheritance with the saints in light. Hence, this good work, as Paul calls (and beyond all conception both of goodness and of greatness it is,) comes the earnest of our adoption-character, and our union with CHRIST JESUS. It is impossible, therefore, but that it must be completed, being secured by such principles, and not founded in human worth, but divine grace. Because I live, (saith JESUS,) ye shall live also. John 14:19.

Particular Salutations - Php 1:1-2 - Robert Hawker

"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:1-2]

"'...to all the saints in CHRIST JESUS, Which were at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.' Saints, in scripture language, means regenerated sinners. Called to be saints, as the Apostle elsewhere terms it. 1 Corinthians 1:2. Similar to the Apostle Jude's expression; sanctified by GOD the FATHER, and preserved in JESUS CHRIST, and called, Jude 1. Reader! it is most essentially necessary to have this always in view, through the whole of this Epistle; yea, in all the inspired writings of the Apostles. For there are some things said in them which cannot have reference to the world at large; but are belonging to the Church of GOD only. And it is the grossest of all mistakes to make application to mankind in general of what belongs only to the saints of GOD. The Apostle's salutations is to the Church. Grace be unto you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER, and from the LORD JESUS CHRIST."

The gift to believe on Him - Philippians 1:29 - Robert Hawker

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." [Philippians 1:29]

Reader! do not overlook that precious verse, and the doctrine contained in it, that it is given to the Church, in behalf of CHRIST, not only to believe on him, but also, if needful, to suffer for his sake. Yes! faith and fortitude are the LORD'S gifts, and not our graces. When a child of GOD believes to the salvation of his soul, the strength of that faith, and all the parts of that faith, are from the LORD. It is blessed to believe, blessed to be firm in that belief: blessed to believe always. But the largest portions of faith are all the LORD'S gifts. And wherein no man's faith differs from another, the diligent measures of grace are His, who is both the Author, and Finisher of faith. So that the strong in faith, when taught of GOD, in the exercise of it, will always rejoice in the great object of faith, the LORD JESUS; and not in themselves, from the fruits and effects of it. Oh! for grace both to believe in CHRIST; and, if needs be, to suffer for his sake.