Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 4:3

3 And I intreat thee also, true yoke-fellow , help those women which labored with me in the gospel , with Clement also , and with other my fellow-labourers , whose names are in the book of life .

He subjoins his most importunate request to some eminent person who did faithfully and sincerely draw in the same yoke of Christ with him, even such another in that Church at Philippi (whom they well knew from the freedom [illegible: 1 letter]e used when he planted the Gospel amongst them, or might more distinctly know from Epaphroditus) as he had represented Timothy to be, c. 2.20. Some both ancient and modern would have this to be Paul's own wife, whom he left behind, but seeing it doth not appear that when he wrote this Epistle he had ever staid above two months at Philippi, he elsewhere reckons himself amongst the unmarried, 1 Cor. 7.8. and wish'd those who had the gift of continency to continue so, under the sharp persecution of the Church, for which he was frequent in journeying, labours and Prisons, 2 Cor. 11.23. there is no cogent argument to evince that he was then married; however he had liberty to have had a Wife, as well as Peter and others, Mat. 19.29. & 22.28. with 1 Cor. 9.5. Some conceive by yoke-fellow here is meant the lawfull husband of one of the forenamed honourable matrons: others, one called by that proper name in Greek but the Epithet annex'd doth not so well suit. It may suffice to say it was an intimate collegue and sincere companion of Paul's who was a like affected with him drawing in the same yoke, for the furtherance of the Gospel, his genuine helper.

Whose special aid, by advice, prayer and otherwise he solicited on the behalf of those pious women, who aforetime (though not by publick preaching in the Church which he elsewhe re dissallow'd, 1 Cor. 14.34, 35. 1 Tim. 2.12. but privately) had not onely wrought, but earnestly striven together with him, by teaching youth, and other women, good things, Tit. 2, 3. putting themselves in hazard with him, in that difficult work he had amongst them, and enduring troubles with him for the propagation of the Gospel, c. 1.27. Act. 16.13. as P[illegible: 1 letter]o[illegible: 1 letter]be and Priscilla, and Mary elsewhere, Act. 18.2, 3, 26. Rom. 16.2, 3. 1 Tim. 5.10. 2 Tim. 4.19. in offices proper to their sex.

Clement probably was some Church Officer of Roman extract in that Colony at Philippi, (whether he, about whose order in the Catalogue of Roman Bishops, Historians dispute, there is no certainty.)

The rest whom he doth not name, onely describe by the assistance they gave him in the holy work of the Gospel, probably were other Church-officers.

Whose names he did in charity, apprehend to be enroll'd in Heaven, (as our Savi our speaks to the rejoycing of his 70 Disciples) Luk. 10.20. We are not to think there is any material book wherein their names were written, but that he useth it as a borrow'd speech intimating his perswasion of them (as of the election of others, 1 Thess. 1.4. with 1 Pet. 1.2.) that their life was as certainly sealed up with God, as if their names had been written in a book for that purpose, looking upon them by their fruit as truly gracious persons, whom God had effectually called according to his purpose, Rom. 8.28, 29, 33. which is a Book written, Exod. 32.32. Isa. 4.3. Ezek. 13.9. Dan. 12.1. Rev. 3.5. & 13.8. & 20.12. & 21.27. wherein the Lord knows who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19.

Marginal references: Luk. 10.20.