Day 4

Philippians 4

V 1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Therefore, connects to chapter 3. In the light of false teachers, Judaisers, our citizenship in heaven, etc, stand firm in the faith and stay close to Christ. Paul was warm, loving, and people-oriented. He addressed his audience passionately, calling them his beloved, brethren, joy, and crown.

VV 2-3, 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Two sisters in the Philippians church, Euodia and Syntyche had a fall out due to some misunderstanding and disagreement. Paul implored the church to step in to help them resolve this issue. Paul also mentioned Clement and others involved in the dispute. Their names were written in the book of life. John said in the White throne judgment of Revelation 20:12, “I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” Rev 20:15, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

VV 4-7, 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul implored the Philippians Christians and to us, to rejoice in Christ and walk in gentleness because the second coming of Christ is imminent. Joy is the antidote for depression, Philippians 4:4. Prayer and supplication with thanksgiving is the antidote for anxiety, Philippians 6: 6-7. Prayer is a general request, supplication is a specific request, and thanksgiving is to God. Turn anxiety into prayer and this will be reduced to peace as Christ is the Prince of Peace. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”.

VV 8-9, 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul implored his audience and to us, to meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, and praiseworthy. Paul implored his audience and to us, to imitate him and the God of peace will be with them, and with us.

VV 10-13, 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Philippians church supported Paul when they realized he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul was contented whether he was in want or in plenty, whether he was in hunger or full. 1 Tim 6: 6-7, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out”. He was contented irrespective of his situation. Do not quote and apply Philippians 4:13 out of context. Paul was in jail, talking about his contentment in sufferings. Christ will give him and us, the strength to overcome suffering and remain contented.

VV 14-16, 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

When Paul left Macedonia on his second missionary journey, the Philippians church was the only church that supported him financially. The Philippians church gave him financial aid even when he left had Philippi for Thessalonica.

VV 17-20, 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul was not greedy after the gifts, but he wanted them to be fruitful. A giving church is a fruitful church. The financial support that Epaphraditus brought to him was timely and acceptable. 2 Cor 9:6, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Do not apply and quote Philippians 4:19 out of context. This promise is claimable only if a person is giving financially or supporting the work of the Lord in other ways.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

All Christians are saints. Paul and his team greet every one of them. There was a revival in Caesar’s household. Some of the Roman guards chained to Paul were converted and saved. They evangelized to Caesar’s household and many of them were converted and saved. Paul ends this epistle with a very short doxology, benediction, prayer, and Amen.