Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:… I. MURMURINGS. 1. The kinds of murmuring. (1) Against God (Romans 9:20). (2) Against God's providence in doing better to some than to others. This sin is many times found in David, Job, Habakkuk — "Why doth the wicked prosper?" — until they went into the sanctuary of God and under stood their end (Psalm 73:17). (3) Against God's ordinance in magistracy and ministry (1 Samuel 8:7; Titus 2:5, 9). 2. Causes. (1) Ignorance of God's particular providence (Job 42:6). (2) Self-love (Numbers 16:3). 3. Cures. (1) Labour to have a right understanding of God's justice without all exception. (2) Of His infinite goodness to all, and particularly to His own children (Matthew 10:29). This will lead us to — (a) Justify God (Psalm 119:137; 1 Samuel 3:18; 2 Corinthians 10:19; Psalm 39:1). (b) Learn a holy silence (Psalm 62:1; Leviticus 10:3). (c) Practice resignation (Luke 22:42). (d) Exercise gratitude. II. DISPUTINGS — 1. Issue from murmurings. Murmuring requires vindication; and men are never at a loss for reasons in favour of the worst cause. This extends to duties. 2. Is a great sin. Where theology is disputed it is least practised. (R. Sibbes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Do all things without murmurings and disputings: |
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