Filipenses 2
Theodoret of Cyrus · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Filipenses 2:6
But if [the Arians] think the "form of God" is not the being of God, let them be asked what they think is the "form of a slave." … If the form of a slave is the being of a slave, then the form of God is God.… Furthermore, let us recognize also that the apostle uses the example of Christ as a lesson in humility.… If the Son was not equal to the Father but inferior, he did not obey in humility—he merely fulfilled his station. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.6
Filipenses 2:6
Being God, and God by nature, and having equality with God, he thought this no great thing, as is the way of those who have received some honor beyond their merits, but, hiding his merit, he elected the utmost humility and took the shape of a human being. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.6-7
Filipenses 2:7
He says of the divine Word that, being God, he was not seen to be God but wore a human appearance. Yet the words "in the likeness of men" are appropriate to him, for the nature that he assumed was truly human, and yet he was not [merely] a man, though he at first glance appeared to be only a man. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.6-7
Filipenses 2:7
See how the varied attestors agree. The Evangelist says "the Word became flesh." The apostle says that he, being in the form of God, "came to be in the form of a man" The Evangelist says "he pitched his tent among us." The apostle says "he took the form of a slave." The Evangelist says "we saw his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father." The apostle speaks of One "who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God." In a word, both teach the same: that, being God and the Son of God, and clothed in the Father's glory and having the same nature and power as his Begetter, the One who "in the beginning was with God and was was God" and wrought the creation "took the form of slave." — ERANISTES 1
Filipenses 2:8
His humbling was not undertaken as a slave in relation to a master's command. Rather he willingly undertook the saving work on our behalf. He obeyed as a son, not as a slave. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.8
Filipenses 2:9
Even to the most inattentive it is obvious that the divine nature needs nothing. He did not become human by being raised up from lowliness. Rather he abased himself from the utmost height. He did not receive what he did not have before but received as a man what he possessed as God. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.9
Filipenses 2:11
Every tongue stands for every people. But if the confession of Christ as Lord is a glorification of the Father, it is clear that those who call him a creature and a slave deface the glory of the Father also. In these few words, however, the divine apostle has subdued every heresy, among those who blaspheme the divinity of the Only Begotten, and those who deny his humanity and those who misconstrue the hypostatic union of the two natures. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.11
Filipenses 2:12
"Looking at this example," he says, "you have conceived a greater zeal for your own salvation, notwithstanding my absence. For this reveals the excellence of your goal, that it is not to please your teacher but out of eagerness for good things that you undertake this admirable labor." — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.12
Filipenses 2:17
When he says you, he means all the faithful.… And he says this to work on their souls and to teach them that his martyrdom is so great that it has the character of a libation and a sacrifice. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.17
Filipenses 2:20
The praises of the blessed Timothy are true, but the divine apostle has pronounced them at this point both as a sign of his own affection for them (since he has sent to their assistance the only comforter of his soul) and as an exhortation to receive him with all hospitality as a mouthpiece of the truth. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.19-22
Filipenses 2:23-24
Even here he does not expressly announce that he will come but makes this depend on the providence of God. And clearly he has not yet wholly escaped his former peril. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.23-24
Filipenses 2:25
Paul attributes many accomplishments to Epaphroditus. He calls him not merely a brother but a fellow worker and a fellow soldier. And Paul has even called him their apostle, because he has been entrusted with their care. Thus it is apparent that those who were called bishops in the earlier part of the letter held their charge under Epaphroditus, being obviously presbyters. And he calls him a "minister to his need," because he had brought the necessities that they had sent, as was their duty, analogous to contributions for civic officers. — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.25
Filipenses 2:27
The words "God had mercy on him" also reveal Epaphroditus's zeal for the contest. He did not wish to be rid of his wretched life, even knowing the gain that was to spring from it. "And God also pitied me," says Paul, "by not depriving me of my fellow worker." — EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.26-7