Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 2:1

IF there be therefore any consolation in Christ , if any comfort of love , if any fellowship of the Spirit , if any bowels and mercies .

The Apostle reassuming his exhortation in the former Chapter to unanimity, v. 27. doth here by way of inference from what went immediately before, press them in a very affectionate manner, with a kind of Rhetorical Relation, and Obtestation as it were adjure them. If any such exhortation (as the word is rendred, Act. 13.15. 1 Thess. 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.13.) in the name of Christ, might avail with them to chear him and one another by their loving concord and being unanimous. Or as we rendring it consolation (so Act. 13.15. Rom. 15.4 2 Cor. 1.4.) If he which may well suppose and strongly affirm that he took it for granted the main Body of them had in some measure▪ found by his Ministry, what he here moves them to compleat (compare, ch. 1.6, 7, 27.) in expectation to find more, of what they had experimented, what ever indisposition might have crept upon some by the insinuations of the false Apostles, yet, this Consolation in Christ may be consider'd either (1.) Actively q. d. If ye would comfort me afflicted, in the concerns of Christ, or if ye have any Christian comfort which doth onely proceed from those that are in Christ, (not from moral Philosophy) or which is wont to be in those who worship the same Christ, let me his Apostle be a partaker thereof. Or (2.) Passively, 2 Cor. 4, 6. Philem. 7. If you being in Christ, find any consolation against your afflictions, for as much as you have received it by my Ministry, we being both in suffering circumstances, should be Farther comforted by a sweet agreement.

The Syriac render it any speaking to the heart, any Solace from good and comfortable words did reach your hearts, Ioh. 11.19, 31. 1. Cor. 14.3. 1 Thess. 2.11. & 5.14 cheared with the love of God or Christ, or the Brethren: or refreshed with my love to you, ch. 1.8, 9. or would that I should be comforted with your love to me, (as he himself and others were with the gracious affections of the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 7.7.) which ye o[illegible: 1 letter]ght unfeignedly.

If ye have any Communion with me in the Graces of the Spirit, and stand fast in one Spirit, ch. 1.27. and would shew that you do persevere in the same Spirit, 1 Cor. 12.4. which acts in all the Members of the Mystical Body of Christ, that do in him their head partake of it.

If ye are daily affected with any real Sympathy, and Commiseration towards me in my bonds for Christ, such inward affections as were moving in him towards them, c. 1.8. with Luk. 1.78. 2 Cor. 7.15. Col. 3.12. the latter word Emphatically expressing the sense of the Metaphor in the former. Then he having thus Pathetically urged these Arguments, and closely follow'd them to embrace the matter propos'd puts them upon.