Zanchi's two observations on the grave illness of Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30)

 

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Zanchi's two observations on the grave illness of Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30):

"First, God permits even the most holy of men to suffer serious illnesses--indeed, often ministers--as a consequence of their labors in the Lord's work. Teachers and ministers of the Word experience stress and sleepless nights and various troubles, which they are forced to absorb.... And thus for someone to enjoy good and robust health is a singular gift of God."

"Second, we must observe as well how wrong-headed is the judgement of those who draw an improper and perverse conclusion about the doctrine and salvation of certain distinguished men and teachers of the church because, at times, they are chronically ill..... Certainly Epaphroditus was beloved by God, and his doctrine was truly apostolic. Nevertheless, he nearly died of his illness."

-Commentary on Philippians, 432.

Modern evangelical avoidance of a plain sense reading of Confession 1:8

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It is simply amazing to see the extent to which some modern evangelical interpreters will go to avoid a plain sense reading of WCF/2LBCF 1:8:

"Paragraph 8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;...."

Immediate inspiration in Hebrew and Greek allows use of the LXX and other ancient versions to correct the corrupted Hebrew? "By his singular care and providence" means by natural, ordinary, and humanistic restorationist (reconstruction) means? "Kept pure" means kept mostly pure? "In all ages" means "as reconstructed in recent times" with the rise of modern historical textual criticism in the 19th century, the discovery of the DSS in the 20th century, and the arrival of CBGM/ECM in the 21st century? "Authentical" does not actually mean genuine (having no relation to the modern term "authentic") but suggestively authoritative as an "initial text"?

You might believe it is outdated, reject it, or claim it points to a trajectory for a new modern articulation of the topic, but please don't attempt a radical, anachronistic, and tortured redefinition of its original meaning.

JTR

The Vision (3.13.26): Work out your own salvation

 

Image: Pear tree blossoms, North Garden, Virginia, March 2026.

Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 2:12-18.

“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12b-13).

Paul’s command to the saints at Philippi to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (2:12b) represents an apparent tension.

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It is the gift of God. It is not by works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). How then can Paul ask the brethren to work out their own salvation?

A command from the apostle Peter also reflects this tension: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

How are we to understand this teaching?

We might first note that salvation can be understood in three tenses.

I have been saved. It is an accomplished fact. I was saved on the cross when Christ died for my sins, and that salvation was realized the moment I received the effectual call of God in the preaching of the gospel and was justified by faith in Christ.

But also, I am being saved. The ramifications of my salvation are being worked out in my ongoing sanctification. Related to my present salvation is the fact there is being worked out in me the fruit of good works which God has prepared for me. As Paul said in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Finally, I also will be saved. When Christ comes again in power and glory, I will receive my resurrection body and enter into the final state of glory.

In commanding the saints to work out their own salvation Paul is not being man-centered. The apostle can and will only be relentlessly God-centered.

That is made clear in Philippians 2:13. It is God who is working among his people. The Lord alone is the author of our salvation, and it is God who works in us so that we produce the godly fruit which issues from and adorns the lives of his saints.

He works out his will, his decree of election, his decree of sanctification, and, ultimately, his decree of glorification in us. He works out his good pleasure. It all serves his ends and results in his divine satisfaction and glory. We become the trophies of his grace that rightly bring all glory and honor to Him.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

What is "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16)?

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Teaching in our CRBC Midweek Meeting this wekk on "Fleeing Worldliness" from 1 John 2:15-17 and shared this handout comparing six different commentary takes on what "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" mean (1 John 2:16). Straw poll voted for M. Poole for best definition.

JTR

WM 371: My Former Debate Opponent (Stephen Boyce) Swims the Tiber

 

JTR

The Vision (3.6.26): The Exaltation of Christ

 

Image: Late winter sunrise. North Garden, Virginia. March 2026.

Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 2:9-11.

In Paul’s Christ Hymn, Philippians 2:5-11, the apostle first describes Christ’s Humiliation (vv. 6-8) and then his Exaltation (vv. 9-11).

Of his Exaltation, Paul offers four statements about Christ, with reference to his resurrection, ascension, session (being seated at the right hand of God, Mark 16:19), and second coming:

1.     God highly exalted him (v. 9a).

2.     God gave him a name (v.9b).

3.     That every knee should bow at the name of Jesus (v. 10).

4.     That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (v. 11).

First: God highly exalted him (v. 9a):

This speaks of the resurrection. The one who was in the form of God and took upon him the form of a servant was gloriously raised from the dead.

Peter said at Pentecost, “This Jesus God hath raised up” (Acts 2:32).

He was exalted in his resurrection, and he was exalted in his ascension.

Second: God gave him a name (v. 9b):

“…and given him a name which is above every name.”

He was given the name “Jesus,” meaning Jehovah saves, through God’s angel before his birth (cf. Matt. 2:21; Luke 1:31).

He was also given many titles, including Christ (Messiah) and Son of God. When Christ asked his disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?” it was Peter who responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).

Third: That every knee should bow at the name of Jesus (v. 10):

In vv. 10-11 Paul draws upon a passage from the prophet Isaiah about the LORD and applies it to Christ (see Isaiah 45:22-23).

So, Paul continues: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow….” (v. 10a).

The phrase “the name of Jesus” is intriguing. Some pious Jews even today refer to God simply as “the Name [Hebrew, ha-shem].” Paul is telling us here that Jesus is Jehovah.

It brings to mind Christ in session, as when a king is seated on his throne, and his subjects, friend and foe alike, approach, each bending the knee before Him.

Fourth: That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (v. 11):

Paul continues in v. 11, “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

To say “Jesus is Lord” is to confess, Jesus is Jehovah, Jesus is the God of the Scriptures (cf. Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3).

Paul speaks here of Christ’s exaltation at his second coming. On that final day, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It will be a “twofold confession” (Zanchi, Commentary on Philippians, 353). The pious will confess faith in Christ. The wicked will confess a dread reality, Christ has returned as Judge with great power and glory.

Christ is exalted now, and He will be exalted at His coming!

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

WM 370: REACTION: Byzantine Priority Conference: 1600 YEARS and COUNTING?

 

JTR

The Vision (2.27.26): The Mystery of Redemption

 

Image: Winter sunset. North Garden, Virginia. February 2026.

Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on Philippians 2:5-8.

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Philippians 2:5-11 is known as the Christ Hymn. Paul begins by urging the Philippians: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (v. 5). He wants them to follow the model of Christ in humility.

He describes first the humiliation of Christ (vv. 6-8) and then the exaltation of Christ (vv. 9-11).

With respect to his humiliation (vv.6-8), Paul reveals four mysteries:

First, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s true divinity. He was “in the form [morphe] of God” (v. 6).

Second, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s true humanity. He “took upon him the form [morphe] of a servant [doulos, a slave], and was made in the likeness of men” (v. 7).

Third, he addresses the mystery of Christ’s incarnation: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself” (v. 8a).

Finally, Paul addresses the mystery of redemption. Christ “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (v. 8b).

With God there is but one will. There are three persons in the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but there are not three wills. As true God, Christ’s divine will was one with that of the Father and the Spirit. As true man, Christ also had a human will, which was always obedient to the divine will. This is why he prayed in the garden, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

That last statement in v. 8, “even the death of the cross,” is a reminder or how terrible a death this was. Crucifixion was a shameful death. It was the death of slaves and criminals. It was excruciatingly painful and humiliating.

It had to be this sort of death in order justly to illustrate the magnitude of what God has done for us in Christ.

The one who was in the form of God took on the form of a servant and as a true man was obedient to death on the cross to save his people from their sins.

Thanks be to God!

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle