Philippians 1:9

This I pray. Verses 9-11 contain the substance of Paul’s prayers for the continued spiritual growth of his Philippian friends.

Love. Gr. agape (see on Matthew 5:43, 44; 1 Corinthians 13:1).

May abound yet more. Their love was already of a high quality, yet Paul wished them to attain even loftier heights. He desired that their love both to God and to man might, as a stream rising from its springing fountain, flow out ever further, and more abundantly communicate itself in all channels of Christian service (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:12).

Knowledge. Gr. epignosis, “full knowledge” (see on Romans 3:20). Paul here refers to experimental knowledge, a personal understanding of the saving truths of Christianity, exhibited in a godly life (see on John 17:3; Ephesians 1:17; 4:13).

Judgment. Gr. aisthesis, “perception,” “discernment,” “experience.” The word properly applies to the senses, and here, with moral overtones, signifies the insight that recognizes a truth as the eye recognizes an object (cf. Hebrews 5:14). Aisthesis here differs from epignosis in dealing, not with general, impersonal principles, but with the choice of right principles.