Philippians Chapter
Four Commentary by Ron Beckham
Audio Bible Study Philippians 4:1-5
Verse 1. "Therefore, my beloved
brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the
Lord, my beloved."
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, there is actually no break between
Chapters 2 and 4 it is just one continuous flow from one sentence to the
other. As he has been saying for some time, we are to stop worrying about our past and start
looking with trust to the Lord. We are to emulate those who love and trust in
the Lord, but also watch out for those who are really part of this world, only
pretending to love and serve God.
We have often read and heard words about Revelation 2:10 and other Scriptures
referring to a crown of life which, it is assumed, will be worn in eternity. But note
in this verse that PEOPLE are the crown that Paul
counts as valuable. The jewels
of this crown, if they were literal precious gems such as diamonds, would be
just building materials in eternity, not unlike gold is mere paving material for
the streets. We are building an eternal crown for eternity right now. You are
my crown and I am yours, by the love we have for one another.
Verse 2. "I urge Euodia and I urge
Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord."
Its somewhat refreshing to note those instances in the Bible,
where the saints of God did NOT get along with one another. I say its
refreshing because we can have the false idea that persons in the Bible were
somehow perfect or they would not be written about in Scripture. There are
instances
of solid Christians who were angry at each other, such as "Euodia
and... Syntyche" in this verse. But we are
called to live in peace with one another, for others are affected by what we do.
Both of these are female names and they may well have
held high positions in the Church, not unlike Phoebe, who was called a deaconess
(servant-leader) in Romans 16:1-2. The early Christians
were serious about Old Testament references to women, such as Joel 2:28-29, where
the Lord through the prophet predicted, I will pour out
My Spirit on ALL flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions; and also on My menservants
and on My maid servants. It always has been God's intention that
all of us, men and women, will have vital roles in the church.
Verse 3. "Indeed, true companion,
I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of
the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose
names are in the book of life."
Its unclear who Paul was addressing in this verse as
his true companion. The word "ask" in Greek is eroto,
which, in Classical Greek meant to inquire in
relation to requests made to an equal. Paul likely was directly speaking to the
chief pastor at Philippi. Clement was the name of
a great bishop in Rome, but it is unlikely this was the same Clement just as
it is today, there were lots of people who had the same name.
Note that his message to them is to help
one another. They were to help Euodia and Syntyche, even though, as indicated in
the preceding verse, those two women did not live in
harmony. It is likely the two were leaders in Philippi the Churchs
promotion of women was light years ahead of the Roman Empire. And it is possible
the reason the two did not get along was because they both had too much to do.
And help Clement, Paul said. The message of this
verse for today is clear we are to "HELP" one
another.
Verse 4. "Rejoice in the Lord
always; again I will say, rejoice!"
In this verse, Paul returns to what can be called the
theme of this letter: Rejoice in the Lord! Those
were the words he used in Philippians 3:1, where he also said, For
me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
In other words, he didnt mind repeating himself, when the words involve
important concepts we need to hear more than once.
The message IS important for us all. In spite of our
circumstances (Paul was a prisoner at the time he wrote), we are to REJOICE
in the Lord and do it ALWAYS. Now thats
IMPOSSIBLE for you, me, Paul and all who are part of the human race. Remember he
said we are to rejoice "ALWAYS!" Incredible! Many
sad things happen to us and you cant rejoice when youre sad except in
the power of the Lord. Go to Him when things arent so good He can do what you
cant, and you will begin to know what it means to "REJOICE in the Lord."
Verse 5. "Let your gentle spirit
be known to all men. The Lord is near."
These verses present a series of what can only be called
demands that are actually impossible for us all. We read in verse 4 that we are
to ALWAYS rejoice, which is somewhere between
impossible and incredible. And now we find that we are to have a gentle
spirit, which means that if someone slaps
you on the cheek, turn the other (cheek)
also (Matthew 5:39). If anyone wants
to sue you "let him win! (Matthew 5:40).
In other words, this verse is talking about a gentle
spirit in action! And it takes us to a degree of meekness that is
humanly unattainable for us all. There is a way, however, and we catch a glimpse
of it in this verse: The Lord is near. We look to
Him, knowing that He will soon return to save us from this place where people slap
and sue you. And He is "near" right now.
True
gentleness is only possible in and through our Rescuer, Jesus Christ.
Father, let us become Your children in truth, helping
others as You lead. BE our "meekness" - let us look to You. In Jesus
Name. Amen.
Verse 6. "Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God."
We are being given a series of humanly difficult
suggestions in these verses. Verse 2 commanded two women who didnt like each
other to live in harmony, and of course that is
the Lords will for us all. But in THIS world, to "live in harmony" is
seemingly impossible for many. The next verse teaches us to help
each other, which isnt really so hard, but then we are told to be gentle
even when others do us harm (Verse 5). But this verse tops them all: We are to
be anxious for NOTHING ever!
In Verse 5, we caught a glimpse of WHY we can be gentle
because Jesus Christ is near to us all. He is
WITH those who love Him and He is our Protector. Now, in this verse we see that
prayer and supplication
(asking God for what we need) is the OPPOSITE of anxiety. Through Christ in us,
we can be calm no matter WHAT happens, IF we are willing to reach out in and
through Him, to the God
who ANSWERS prayer.
Verse 7. "And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus."
What is "answered prayer?" How can OUR prayers be
answered? There is much in Scripture that answers those questions and
included are these: Have PURITY of heart (Psalm 66:18-19); BELIEVE you will
receive from God (Matthew 21:22); pray in the power and authority ("name")
of Jesus (John 14:13); and - your prayers are to be in God's will (1 John 5:14).
Let your heart be pure; BELIEVE, ask in His will, ask in Jesus' Name, and you
WILL HAVE answers to prayer.
Outwardly, specific answers to your prayers may include:
"Yes," or "No," or "Wait." But in this verse in Philippians, we find the
best answer of all: When you pray; when you honestly take your need to
God, His "peace," the peace you have always
wanted,
will begin to be yours. And this is "the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension," which is "above all
that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). His great "peace"
will "guard" you - forever.
Verse 8. "Finally, brethren,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and
if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
You can sum up this verse and the next one with the
phrase: What you think is what you are! And you should ask yourself, what
DO you "dwell" on? What do you think about?
In the secret places of your mind, known to God, but unknown to the rest of us,
what thoughts keep coming to you? If your life is filled with movies,
novels and games, you will tend to become what you watch, read and hear. But the Lord,
through Paul, tells us something better.
He advises you to let your thoughts turn to what is "true,"
for Jesus IS "the truth" (John 14:6). The
word "honor" has practically disappeared from this planet, but we can become "honorable"
in Jesus Christ. We lost our purity a long time ago, but in Christ we can
have "pure" thoughts once more. Paul is
telling us that, in Christ, we have been given the power to direct our thoughts
toward that which "is of good repute," that which
contains "excellence" and is "worthy
of praise." And if your thoughts become good, your outward life
will follow.
Verse 9. "The things you have
learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the
God of peace will be with you."
Paul had remarkably changed since the days when he
operated under his Hebrew name, Saul," making "havoc of
the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing
them to prison" (Acts 8:3). He did terrible things in the name
of religion, but then he was remarkably changed by the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus, and Paul's actions became different - in a very good way.
Now he LOVED those very ones he had once made "havoc"
of, in thought (verse 8) and in deed. It is obvious from this verse that
he taught others only in words, but also by living example. They had SEEN the God of peace in Him, when he was
with them at Philippi, and they had heard much
good about him since that time. And note that if you, like Paul, think Godly thoughts (verse
8), "the God of peace will be with YOU" as well.
Verse 10. "But I rejoiced in the
Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you
were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity."
Epaphroditus had come to Paul from the Church at
Philippi, and now Paul was sending the man back to them, as the "mailman" who
would deliver this letter to the Philippian Church (see also Philippians 2:25 & forward).
In various places within this letter, we can infer that Ephphroditus had brought with him gifts to
Paul when he came, including those of a monetary nature.
Paul was pleased - "I rejoiced in
the Lord greatly," he said. "Revived"
in this sentence is a verb used for a tree putting forth fresh shoots
after a winters sleep. "Lacked opportunity"
means that Paul acknowledged that they did not send a gift before this time
because they were unable to do so. Philippi was in Macedonia. Paul
mentioned the Macedonian churches in Acts 8:1-*3, speaking of their "deep
poverty" and the "riches" of their gift.
They gave, even though it was very difficult for them to do so.
Father, enable us to become people who express love
by giving to the needs of others. Let us be anxious for nothing, and Lord,
give us Your peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Verse 11. "Not that I speak from
want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
In the preceding verses, we've seen the direction God is
taking us, and it is NOT a path we can take without Him. He is
creating inside of us the capacity to "REJOICE" in all
circumstances (verse 4). In Him we can become truly "gentle"
(verse 5). He is reducing our "anxious"
thoughts and letting us become a people of "prayer"
(verse 6). He is giving us His amazing "peace"
(verse 7), and He is changing our thought processes for the good (verse 8).
Best of all, He is "with" you and me (verse 9).
In verse 10, Paul related that he "rejoiced"
because of a gift that the Philippian believers had sent to those who were in
need, including Paul himself. But he also had become a man who was "content
in whatever circumstances" that came his way. He was pleased at
their faith, expressed in sending the gift, but he also knew that God DIRECTLY
provides for our every need. Just like Paul, we can "be
content" and don't need to be afraid.
Verse 12. "I know how to get along
with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every
circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of
having abundance and suffering need."
Many think that if only they were rich, life would be
good! But, as the old saying goes, "Money doesn't
buy happiness," and suddenly coming into a lot of money can actually
destroy you. Paul had been given a rich, deep life, filled with differing
circumstances, so that he could minister to all he met. He could now "live
in prosperity," which is an inward gift from God, just as it is also a
gift to be able to live in "humble means."
It's difficult to previously have had a satisfactory income and
then not have enough. Learning to "get along with
humble means" is a process wrought in us by the Holy Spirit of God.
Without His help, we tend to be frantic, anxious, angry and then become bitter.
But the Lord has good purpose in all He allows, and our "every circumstance" will shape us and change
us for the good, because He makes it so.
Verse 13. "I can do all things
through Him who strengthens me."
Here in this verse is the reason WHY Paul could say, "I
know how to get along" in life (verse 12), no matter WHAT the
circumstances. He could be poor, rich, imprisoned, or anything else.
He was full of joy, relatively free from anxiety, and he had the peace of God.
This man had been CHANGED by the power and love of the Lord, and right here in this
verse he shares the secret of how it happened, and YOU, like him, have that
potential: YOU "can do all things through HIM who
strengthens" you.
There are times in our lives, high times, when we think
we can do "all things" - period.
Life sometimes goes well, and when it does, we tend to give the credit to ourselves. But that is not God's
intention for us. We can do "all things (but
only) THROUGH HIM." It's WRONG to
be angry at someone who does not or can not help you. It's also wrong to
be angry at God - He has in mind something better than your immediate need. We were
CREATED to need HIM, and we can finally understand and begin to "do all
things through Him who strengthens" you
and me.
Verse 14. "Nevertheless, you have
done well to share with me in my affliction."
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, he
gave considerable praise to the Macedonian churches,
such as those at Philippi, for their gifts to the ministry of Paul. The
Philippians were in a "great trial of affliction"
themselves and were in "deep poverty;" yet they
GAVE to the needs of others (2 Corinthians 8:2 & context). Continuing his
mention of them, Paul spoke of giving itself: "Let each
one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God
loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
In this verse in Philippians, Paul is informing the
letter's recipients that they did "well to share with
(him) in (his) affliction."
And God DOES love it when when we give, often expressing His pleasure by
BLESSING the ones who share with others. In 2 Corinthians 9:6, it says, "He
who sows sparingly" (gives little), "also reaps
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
It is an intelligent person who helps that other person who is in need.
Verse 15. "You yourselves also
know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but
you alone;"
Within the words of this verse, you can feel the
emotions of Paul. He was DELIGHTED by the faithfulness of the Philippian
believers in meeting his need. He didn't ask them for it; they just GAVE.
As the Holy Spirit led them to do, they did it! Giving is not just about
money, though it IS important to the one who is in need. Giving is meeting
the needs of others in a variety of ways, as led by the Lord.
We recently went on a lengthy trip and received an email
right before we left. The sender told us they are PRAYING for us.
Almost every week, we receive such emails and we are ENCOURAGED by them.
We all NEED HELP from one another, often more than we know. Prayer DOES
remove a "mountain" of difficulty in our lives
(Matthew 17:20), and assistance of all kinds is
very important to us all. Help the person who is in need - they will be
blessed and so will you.
Father, You have given us more than we know.
Help us to become people who recognize Your love, responding to it by giving to
those in need. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Verse 16. "for even in
Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs."
When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he and his
companions emphatically did NOT take money or anything else from them, but
instead he "worked with labor and toil night and day, that (he)
might not be
a burden..." (1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8). We know from this
verse in Philippians, that in addition to the earnings from work he and others did (likely as
tentmakers) while they were in Thessalonica, he received at
least two monetary gifts for their needs from believers at Philippi.
Paul deliberately did not take offerings in
Thessalonica, but he did receive from the Philippians, and you might wonder -
was he inconsistent in what he did? The answer is an emphatic "NO," for
two reasons. Paul followed the Holy Spirit in what he did and what he
allowed. If the Spirit led him to work, he did just that. The other reason
is much like the first - the PHILIPPIANS ALSO were responding to the leading of
the Holy Spirit, and Paul was delighted in their response to the Lord's leading;
by their reaching out to help others.
Verse 17. "Not that I seek the
gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account."
Paul wanted it to be absolutely clear that, in praising
the Philippians for their generosity (verse 16), that he was NOT making some kind of
hint that he wanted more money from them. They had given out of love for
others,
which is a "fruit of the Spirit," as revealed in Galatians 5:22. They gave
because they followed the leading of the Lord. They gave out of the love
of God in them.
Note that the ones who really RECEIVE are the givers
themselves, and
the greatest blessing for the gift is not here on earth at all, but in
eternity. You don't give to get, but God rewards those who are willing to
give. As Jesus said, "Give and it will be given to you; good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom"
(Luke 6:38). Don't worry when the Spirit leads you to give. God will
provide for the recipient - and for YOU.
Verse 18. "But I have received
everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received
from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice,
well-pleasing to God."
Epaphroditus had been sent from the Church in the Roman city of
Philippi, in Macedonia, with gifts for Paul and the other Christian believers
who were in Rome. Their gift (actually GIFTS, for there were more
than one) pleased Paul tremendously, and he wasn't shy about telling them so and
giving them thanks for what they had done.
In this verse, he compares the gift they sent with the
sacrifices that were being offered at the Temple of the Jews in
Jerusalem. The Lord, through Moses, often referred to the
sacrifices of animals on the altar as having a "fragrant aroma,"
"well-pleasing" to God (Leviticus 1:17 & many
other places).
Paul uses that kind of Temple imagery here in this verse.
Verse 19. "And my God will supply
all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
What "needs" do you have? Just like Paul and the
Philippians, we all have many needs, and God knows about every one of them.
The believers in the Church at Philippi had given not just one, but several
gifts to the Apostle Paul. He had not asked for them; they just sent them.
They gave, not to get anything in return; but instead they gave out of love for
the Apostle Paul. They gave out of love for the Lord. They gave as
led by the Holy Spirit.
Paul deeply appreciated their love. It demonstrated
that their faith in the Lord and their love for Him was genuine. And "God
WILL supply" all the needs of those who are generous in responding to His
leading. There are times when all of us have felt neglected by God, but those are
the times when He has had something more in store for us. Our true "needs" can
be hard for us to understand. But He has infinite "riches in glory in
Christ" and He does care for you.
Verse 20. "Now to our God and
Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
The word Paul chose for "glory"
in this verse, is the Greek "doxa." In
English, the word "glory" means something like
giving honor or praise, and Paul certainly honored and praised God. In the
original Greek, the word "glory" ("doxa")
primarily related to an opinion; an estimate of the nature of a person.
The people of God have a good opinion of Him and will reasonably honor and love
Him - "forever and ever."
Note that God does not force us to honor Him. We
can choose to do so or choose not to, as we will. And in that option, we
begin the find the true nature of love. We are shown God in Scripture.
He opens Himself to us. His character is revealed clearly. And then
we are are drawn to utterly love Him and give Him the "glory"
- for He is indeed wonderful. Those who place their faith in Him will be with Him in love,
"forever and ever." Those who do not want Him
will get their way and be alone - "forever."
Verse 21. "Greet every saint in
Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you."
The word for "saint" that
Paul often chose to describe the people of God, was "hagios"
or "hagion," a word that primarily meant "holy"
or "separated." The idea of that word, in
Paul's usage, is that something PROFOUND happens to us when we receive Jesus
Christ as our Savior and Lord. As he said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold,
all things have become new."
The word "saint" is not
applied to a few from God's perspective (as reflected in the words of Paul), but to
ALL. That is, all people of all nationality groups, languages and so on,
who have trusted in the Lord Jesus are "saints" in
the sight of God. And note another word that describes what we become in
Christ Jesus - we are "brethren" ("adelphoi");
children with the same parentage. Our Parent in Christ is God - we are "brethren"
in Him.
Verse 22. "All the saints greet
you, especially those of Caesar's household."
This had to be WONDERFUL news for believers in Christ
everywhere - to know and understand that God had entered the very house of
Caesar, the Emperor of Rome and had won converts to the Lord in that place.
And it should be wonderful information for you, as well. Rome, especially
"Caesar's household," was CLOSED to outside influences, especially to Judaism
and Christianity.
And yet Paul the Apostle, the prisoner in chains, was
actually BROUGHT by the Emperor into that very place! Through the power
and love of God, Jesus Christ was brought to the guards and royal family in
Rome. It was literally a miracle, and such as that is always happening because God
makes it so. There are no walls against Christ that He cannot enter.
PRAY for the salvation of those who want to keep Him out. God will hear and answer your
prayer.
Verse 23. "The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit."
This letter to the Philippians begins and ends with
"grace," the unmerited favor of God. From God's
perspective, everyone on earth was "born on the wrong side
of the tracks." That is to say, of poor parentage. A defect
was early-on revealed in humanity that is so devastating that it renders us all
unfit for the kingdom of God. The theological term for our problem is "original
sin" - something has been wrong in us from the beginning. C. S.
Lewis, the Oxford Don, referred to us as "bent"
inside.
God created us to have a relationship of love - with
Him. He is the Creator and it is His right that we will become what he intended
us to be. We are like a train that went off the tracks meant for it.
Jesus modeled the way we are to be, in places like John 5:19 - "Whatever
He (the Father) does, the Son also does in like
manner." Jesus responded utterly to the will of the Father. And this is where grace comes in - Instead of banishing us
to outer darkness, God sent us His Son to bring us home; that we might do the
works of God in the lives of men. And if you accept
the Son, "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (will)
be with your spirit" - forever. And THAT
is (HE
is) "the grace of the Lord."
Father, thank You for the grace that has been given
us in Christ Jesus. We receive Him now and give You the glory - forever.
We praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron
Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
The First Church On The Net
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org "While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
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