PROLOGUE

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day (Prov. 4:18).

In this text the life of the saints is described under three aspects: first, its narrowness, when it is called a path: “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life” (Mt. 7:14); “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon’s eye has not seen it” (Job 28:7); secondly, its splendor when he says, the light of dawn: “For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8). For the just shine and, as a result, their life shines. Thirdly, its progress, because it is always growing: “Long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2); and this even until the full day of glory; “When the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away” (1 Cor. 13:10).

The way of the wicked, on the other hand, is wide, obscure, dark and failing: “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness: they do not know over what they stumble” (Prov. 4:19); “The gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Mt. 7:13).

From these words we can gather the subject matter of this letter. For the Philippians were on Christ’s narrow way, enduring many tribulations for Christ. They were enlightened by faith: “Among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). Furthermore, they were making progress, as is clear from the entire letter. Therefore, after the letter to the Ephesians, in which an instruction was given on preserving Church unity, it was fitting that those who best preserved it should be held up as an example of preserving the unity of the Church.