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Php 4:3. Ναὶ, yea) an agreeable [conciliatory, affectionate] particle, Philem., Php 4:20; Heb. נא. It is put, as it were, into the mouth of the man who is being besought, so that, upon merely pronouncing it, he may give his assent.-σύζυγε γνήσιε, [genuine] okefellow, or without disguise) ὁ καὶ ἡ σύζυγος, persons together, properly in marriage, and then in other things; so, however, as that the word is applied to two, and denotes some degree of parity; γνήσιος also is of the common gender. Some say, that Paul had at one time wife, but we are convinced, on good grounds, that he is here addressing a man. He had many συνεργοὺς, workers; not many συζύγους, , first Barnabas, afterwards Silas; and he seems to address the latter in this passage; for Silas had been his among the Philippians themselves, Acts [Act 15:40] Act 16:19. [, as I am more inclined to think, Epaphroditus.-V. g.] He was also [like Paul] at all events a minister, whom Paul here entreats.-συλλαμβάνου αὐταῖς, those) that thou mayest maintain harmony among them, by removing impediments.-αἵτινες, ) It is proper to afford help to a person who once stood well, even when he is wavering.-συνήθλησάν μοι, with me) They seem to have been involved in that danger, which is described at Act 16:19.-μετὰ, ) This word depends on συνήθλησαν, have laboured together.-Κλήμεντος, ) They had imitated the great men, among whom was of distinguished excellence. The women were thus highly favoured and honoured.-τὰ ὀνόματα, names) though not here mentioned. The allusion is to the victorious competitors in the public games, whose were openly read and became famous.-ἐν βίβλῳ ζωῆς, the book of life) viz. , or, pray may be. The optative must be often supplied, Php 4:23. They seem to have been already by that time , for we generally follow such with earnest wishes[50] of that sort. Who would not help the surviving companions of these departed ones, ול?[51] Being associated with those who have died with honour, is to younger survivors a great recommendation to him who thus, as it were, stands in the middle place between those who are dead and those who are alive; for example, it formed a recommendation of Timothy to the Philippians, because he had been the intimate friend of Paul. [Those have also excellent materials for concord, of whom some have good reason to think others (who have good reason to think of one another that they are) partakers of eternal life, 1Pe 3:7.-V. g.]
[50] Wishes that they may be found among the saved, not prayers, which are contrary to Scripture.-ED.
[51] Buxtorf, de Abbrev. Hebr. p. 84, writes, “זִכְרו̇כל לִבְרָכָה = ו״ל memoria ejus sit in benedictione (may his memory be blessed). De pluribus זִכְרו̇נָם memoria ipsorum (their memory): nomini piorum virorum defunctorum subjici solet: aut in genere sapientum vel Rabbinorum commemorationi.” The ל and ז are the initials used as the abbreviation for the whole words.-ED.