9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10 That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
love (v.9) = the considered denial of self in the interests of others. Not affection (which is emotional). This love is in conjunction with knowledge and judgment.
may abound (v.9) — not just toward Paul. This love toward God expresses itself toward others
in knowledge — not impulsively. With intelligence, worthily. Epignosis is always spiritual knowledge, either in full or increasing — true knowledge (Colossians 1:9-10; 3:10). Knowledge gained by experience (1 Timothy 2:4).
“Knowledge” is from the Greek word speaking of knowledge gained by experience, as contrasted to intuitive knowledge, which is from another word. A prefixed preposition intensifies the word, and we have “full knowledge.” The full knowledge which these Philippians needed to gain by experience was a better understanding of God’s Word as translated into their experience, and a clearer vision of the Lord Jesus in all the beauty and fragrance of His Person. A Christian can have an “understanding” knowledge of the Word, that is, be able to explain its meaning to others, without having an experiential knowledge of the same. But when that Christian has put the Word of God into practice in his life, then he has what Paul is talking about here. — Philippians in the Greek New Testament, by Kenneth S. Wuest, page 35-36
all (v.9) = every kind of sensitivity to moral values
discernment (v.9) — spiritual judgment/discretion
approve (v.10) = test and choose
things that are excellent (v.10) = things that differ (1 Thessalonians 5:21). A sorting into two piles. Separating the true from the false and rejecting the false.
sincere (v.10) — unmixed, pure
without offense (v.10) — not stumbling or causing to stumble
day of Christ (v.10) — a reminder of the rewards and judgments to come
filled (v.11) — tense is “present results of past actions” — filled to the brim with no room for anything else.
fruit (not plural) of righteousness (v.11) — the fruit of the Spirit. Evidence of a spiritual life.
glory (v.11) — outward expression of God’s character and power
praise of God (v.11) — all creation will acknowledge who God is and what He has accomplished in triumphing over sin through Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 1 Peter 4:11)
