Philippians - Chapter 4
A CALL TO REJOICE
1-3:
Paul appeals for a steady faith and unity
While there are many enemies of the cross, Christians can look forward to the return of Jesus Christ. In doing so they must be strong. Paul shows his great love for the believers in the church as Philippi. He calls them his “dear brothers and sisters” and his “joy and crown”. He had the joy of knowing they were faithful and the crown was not a golden royal crown, but rather a crown of leaves such as those awarded to the winner of a race. Paul’s reward would be all these faithful ones gathered one day at the feast in heaven.
Paul again mentions the two faithful women and asks them to agree in the Lord, resolving their differences in love.
Paul mentions others and it seems there are more than a few as he uses the phrase “other companions” and uses the interesting word picture of the names in the book of life. We see this same reference several times in scripture (Daniel 12:1 & Luke 10:20 & Revelation 13:8) as the information that God has a record of each one who is His.
4-9:
Paul encourages and gives instructions
Paul again urges the believers to rejoice. He has used this word four times previously (1:1-4 & 2:7 & 2:18 & 3:1). Joy is to be found because Christ is always near.
Christians should behave toward others with mercy, patience, and understanding love. Just as God deals kindly with them, they should deal kindly with those who make mistakes.
Believers are advised to pray about all things, especially that:
God will forgive them their past shortcomings.
God will attend to their current needs, in body & spirit.
God will guide them in the future.
Paul teaches that God’s love desires what is best for us. His wisdom knows what is best. His power can cause the best to happen. Every prayer should include thanks and praise.
Prayer will bring us God’s peace in our hearts and the peace will guard our hearts like a soldier guards his post. The peace comes from our unity with Jesus Christ and is far beyond peace we may know between our fellow men. Paul gives a list of those specific things a Christian should think about to help them live in a way pleasing to the Lord:
True things, those that are genuine, not false.
Noble things, concentration should be on serious matters and time should not be wasted on things that matter little.
Right things, doing what God wants and dealing fairly with others.
Pure things, thoughts are not unclean so to be suitable to God.
Lovely things, kindness toward others which brings love in return.
Praise things, meaning choosing proper words in our thoughts.
Paul’s example, taught to the believers by both words and deeds in Paul’s life.
10-20:
Paul gives thanks for their gift
Paul teaches the believers that their gift to him should be their lives and faithfulness and that he wished to have these things, not their money. He brings his most eloquent lesson by telling them he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he finds himself. Remember he is sitting in a Roman prison as he writes.
He teaches that gifts from the faithful make no one poor because God provides for those needs they may have and he terms his lesson as “great riches in Christ Jesus” and these faithful ones will receive true wealth as they know God’s immense love.
21-23:
Final greetings
Paul sends final greetings from himself and all those in Rome (Caesar’s house). He began this letter by praying that his friends at Philippi might have grace & peace from God. He ends it by sending them his blessing. The whole letter from start to finish brings honor to Christ.
AMEN