Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:1

1 FInally , my brethren rejoice in the Lord . To write the same things to you , to me indeed is not grievous , but for you it is safe .

Moreover, or as to what remains, i. e. by way of conclusion to the antecedent matter, and transition to the general exhortation, he here premiseth to the subsequent, admonition.

Willingly repeating the Title of Brethren, to shew the respect he had for them, and to sweeten that he was about to subjoin.

He moves them (as we with almost all do translate it) not as saluting or bidding them farewell, Luk. 1.28. 2 Cor. 13.11. but to rejoice in the Lord, as ch. 4.4. either connoting the object matter of their joy compared with v. 3. or rather the efficient, importing for, and according to the will of the Lord, in a manner agreeable to the pleasure of him who affords a ground of rejoicing in the midst of your tribulations and afflictions, considering his mercy, ch. 2.18.27.29. they might taste how good the Lord is, as elsewhere, Psal. 37.4. Ier. 9.24. with Rom. 5.11. 2 Cor. 10.17. 1 Thess. 5.16. 1 Pet. 1.8. and so not after a carnal and worldly, but Spiritual and Christian manner, to cheer up themselves in him, when the World frowns most, Psal. 4.6, 7.

Writing of the same things cannot be referred to any other Epistles which he wrote to the Philippians, but to those things, which whiles present with them, he had delivered to them by word of mouth, as ch. 4.9. compare Isa. 28.10. Rom. 15.15. 2 Pet. 1.12. 1 Ioh. 2.21.

For my part I do not do it with regret, nor account it tedious (as some Teachers do) as if I were ashamed of it, that I should do any thing superfluous, or not necessary, in Writing again the same things for the matter of them, that I had before Preached to preserve you from falling as others have done, v. 18.

Because this repetition of the same Doctrine, though in another way is pertinent to your Edification, (yea as some reade, it is necessary) 'tis greatly advantagious for your stability in the Faith, and to caution and keep you in safety, from the insinuations of false Teachers, that I now give you a brief memorial in Writing of those things, that you may be cautioned, and they may not, especially in this day of adversity, slip out of your memories, or be lost.