Philippians 1:12-17 | |
12. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; | 12. Scire autem vos volo, fratres, quod, quae mihi acciderunt, magis in profectum cesserunt Evangelii, |
13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; | 13. Ut vincula mea in Christo illustria fuerint in toto praetorio, et reliquis omnibus locis: |
14. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. | 14. Et multi ex fratribus in Domino, vinculis meis confisi, uberius ausi fuerint absque timore sermonem Dei loqui. |
15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. | 15. Nonnulli quidem per invidiam et contentionem, alii autem etiam per benevolentiam, Christum praedicant. |
16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds; | 16. Alii, inquam, ex contentione Christum annuntiant, non pure, existimantes afflictionem se suscitare meis vinculis: |
17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. | 17. Alii autem ex caritate, scientes quod in defensionem Evangelii positus sim. |
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It is asked, however, how such preaching could be injurious to him? I answer, that many occasions are unknown to us, inasmuch as we are not acquainted with the circumstances of the times. It is asked farther, "Since the gospel cannot be preached but by those that understand it, what motive induced those persons to persecute the doctrine of which they approved?"I answer, that ambition is blind, nay, it is a furious beast. Hence it is not to be wondered if false brethren snatch a weapon from the gospel for harassing good and pious pastors. 20 Paul, assuredly, says nothing here 21 of which I have not myself had experience. For there are living at this very day those who have preached the gospel with no other design, than that they might gratify the rage of the wicked by persecuting pious pastors. As to Paul's enemies, it is of importance to observe, if they were Jews, how mad their hatred was, so as even to forget on what account they hated him. For while they made it their aim to destroy him, they exerted themselves to promote the gospel, on account of which they were hostile to him; but they imagined, no doubt, that the cause of Christ would stand or fall 22 in the person of one individual. If, however, there were envious persons, 23 who were thus hurried away by ambition, we ought to acknowledge the wonderful goodness of God, who, notwithstanding, gave such a prosperous issue to their depraved affections.
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1 "Estans estonnez comme d'vne chose nouuelle et non ouye;"-- "Being astonished as at a thing new and unheard of."
2 "Et faux apostres;"-- "And false apostles."
3 "En prenant ceste dangereuse accointance de S. Paul;"-- "By contracting this dangerous acquaintance with St. Paul."
4 "Afin qu'ils ne soyent point destournex;"-- "That they may not be turned aside."
5 "Ses liens ont este rendus celebres, et ont excellement serui a auancer la gloire de Christ;"-- "His bonds had become celebrated, and had admirably contributed to advance the glory of Christ."
6 "Pource qu'il entend que le bruit qui auoit este de ses liens, auoit donné grand bruit a l'Euangile;"-- "Because he means that the fame, which had arisen from his bonds, had given great fame to the gospel."
7 "Dieu a aneanti les efforts malicieux de Satan, et a frustré les meschans de leur attente;"-- "God has made void the malicious efforts of Satan, and has disappointed the wicked of their expectation."
8 Our author has most probably in view an expression which occurs in the writings of Quinctilian, (Instit. Orator., lib. 8, 2, 8,) -- "tabernaculum ducis Augustale;"-- ("a general's tent is called the Augustal.") In the best editions of Quinctilian, however, the reading of Augurale, as synonymous with auguraculum, or auguratorium; -- (an apartment for the augur's taking omens.) -- Ed.
9 The dictator is called by Livey, "praetor maximus;"-- "the highest praetor."-- (Liv. 7:3.) -- Ed.
10 "La tente ou du consul, ou de celuy qui estoit chef de l'armee, quelque nom qu'on luy donast;"-- "The tent of the consul, or of the person who was head of the army, whatever name was applied to him."
11 "Praeibat." -- There is manifestly an allusion here to the etymology of praetor, as being derived from praeire, to go before, or preside. -- Ed.
12 "At Rome it"(the term praetorium) "signified the public hall where causes were tried by the praetor; but more usually it denoted the camp or quarters of the praetorian cohorts without the city ..... The name of praetorium was, in the provinces, given to the palace of the governors, both because they administered justice, and had their guards stationed in their residence. Hence it is inferred that, although the Apostle was at Rome when he wrote this, and although the circumstances to which he refers occurred in that city, yet, writing to persons residing in the provinces, he uses the word praetorium in the provincial sense, and means by it the emperor's palace."-- Illustrated Commentary. -- Ed.
13 "Depuis que les empereurs usurperent la monarchie;" -- "From the time that the emperors usurped the monarchy."
14 "Pretoire signifioit aussi le lieu ou le preteur tenoit la cour, et exerçoit sa iurisdiction;"-- "The praetorium signified also the place where the praetor held his court, and exercised jurisdiction."
15 "Confiance et asseurance;"-- "Confidence and assurance."
16 "Courageux et inuincibles;"-- "Courageous and unconquerable."
17 "Estans assuerez sur ceste main et puissance du Seigneur;"-- "Confidently relying upon this hand and power of the Lord."
18 "Pource que leur zele n'estoit pas pur;"-- "Because their zeal was not pure."
19 "Il se pent bien faire, que celuy qui enseignera vne doctrine pure et saine, aura toutesfois vne mauvaise affection;"-- "It may quite well happen, that the man who teaches pure and sound doctrine, will have, nevertheless, an evil disposition."
20 "Certes le sainct Apostre ne dit rien yci;"-- "Certainly the holy Apostle says nothing here."
21 "Il ne se faut esbahir si les faux-freres prenent occasion de l'evangile, et s'ils s'en forgent des bastons pour tormenter les bons et fideles pasteurs;"-- "It ought not to appear surprising, if false brethren take occasion from the gospel, and contrive weapons for themselves for torturing good and faithful pastors."
22 "Mais voyla: il leur sembloit que la doctrine consistoit ou tomboit bas;"-- "But mark! it seemed to them that doctrine stood or fell."
23 "Que si c'estoit d'autres que Juifs, ascauoir quelques enuieux de Sainct Paul;"-- "But if there were other than Jews -- some that were envious of St. Paul."
24 "Estans en quelque necessite;"-- "When they are in any emergency."
25 "Praevaricatores."The term is employed by classical writers in the sense of betraying the cause of one's client, and by neglect or collusion assisting his opponent. See Quinct. 9:2. -- Ed.
26 "Si nous nous entendons auec la partie aduerse d'iceluy;"-- "If we should connect ourselves with the party opposed to him."