Philippians, Chapter 1, verses 20-27
12 He showeth what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome, 21 and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death, 27 exhorting them to unityLuke, Chapter 7, verses 17-30
11 raiseth from death the widow's son at Nain, 19 answereth John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles, 24 testifieth to the people what opinion he held of John, 30 inveigheth against the Jews, who with neither the manners of John nor of Jesus could be won7
7:18 Mat 11:2.
7:22 To the poor the Gospel is preached - Which is the greatest mercy, and the greatest miracle of all.
7:24 When the messengers were departed - He did not speak the following things in the hearing of John's disciples, lest he should seem to flatter John, or to compliment him into an adherence to his former testimony. To avoid all suspicion of this kind, he deferred his commendation of him, till the messengers were gone; and then delivered it to the people, to prevent all imaginations, as if John were wavering in his judgment, and had sent the two disciples for his own, rather than their satisfaction.
7:27 Mal 3:1.
7:28 There is not a greater prophet than John - A greater teacher.But he that is least in the kingdom of God - The least teacher whom I send forth.
7:29 And all the people - Our Lord continues his discourse: justified God - Owned his wisdom and mercy in thus calling them to repentance, and preparing them for Him that was to come.
7:30 But the Pharisees and scribes - The good, learned, honourable men: made void the counsel, the gracious design, of God toward them - They disappointed all these methods of his love, and would receive no benefit from them.
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1:20 As always - Since my call to the apostleship. In my body - however it may he disposed of. How that might be, he did not yet know. For the apostles did not know all things; particularly in things pertaining to themselves, they had room to exercise faith and patience.
1:21 To me to live is Christ - To know, to love, to follow Christ, is my life, my glory, my joy.
1:22 Here he begins to treat of the former clause of the preceding verse. Of the latter he treats, Php 2:17.But if I am to live is the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour - This is the fruit of my living longer, that I can labour more. Glorious labour! desirable fruit! in this view, long life is indeed a blessing. And what I should choose I know not - That is, if it were left to my choice.
1:23 To depart - Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ - In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.
1:25 I know - By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. That I shall continue some time longer with you - And doubtless he did see them after this confinement.
1:27 Only - Be careful for this, and nothing else. Stand fast in one spirit - With the most perfect unanimity. Striving together - With united strength and endeavours. For the faith of the gospel - For all the blessings revealed and promised therein.