Philippians, Rightly Divided, Verse-by-Verse
Session 16 | Phillippians 4:1-9
Philippians 4:1-9 | Simple Instructions For Difficult Matters
Verse 1 -- Blue
Paul speaks of the Philippian church, figuratively calling them my joy and crown“five crowns" theory of rewards, oft' taught within evangelicalism. I see this as a figurative way of saying, “the Philippian church was a ‘win' for me in the work of ministry."
Paul begins the first of a series of simple instructions for difficult matters, asking them to stand fast in the Lord. It is an instruction he gave to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:13), the Galatians (Gal 5:1) and the Thessalonians (1 Thes. 2:15). No doubt it was his desire for all the churches, and whether spoken directly or indirectly, is found in all his epistles.
Verse 2 -- Green
All we know of Euodias and Syntyche is found in verses 2-3. Paul wanted them to be of the same mind in the Lord. We do not know if they were in disagreement with one another or together they were in disagreement with the church.
How can Christians be of the same mind? The answer is in the words in the Lord. When we are in the Lord we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). However, being together in the Lord is easier said than done. The best starting place is to agree on two issues: What is the Bible? and How will we interpret it? If we settle those two issues, being of the same mind is much easier.
Verse 3 -- Green
Euodias and Syntyche were women which laboured with me in the gospel, but beyond this we know nothing. Paul asks his true yokefellow to help those women. But who is this yokefellow? We know neither his identity nor fully what a yokefellow was. The Greek word σύζυγος [suzugos] is only used here, coming from the Greek word for yoke with the prefix sys“to join together." No doubt, those receiving the letter knew the identity of this yokefellow.
Paul also mentions Clement as one of the fellowlabourers. This man is also unknown save this passage.
Verse 4 -- Blue
While the command to rejoice“I am in the Lord, and thus I rejoice." This was what Job did while, in pain, said the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21).
Verse 5 -- Blue
Paul asks his followers to have moderationἐπιεικής [epieikes“upon an image." In other Greek literature it seems to carry the idea of that which bears the expected image. In practical use, moderation came from the Latin moderari*, *which pertained to staying within the measurements.
Since Paul follows this with the warning that The Lord is at hand, it would seem that he“we ought to look like the Lord, to be within the margin of error for His likeness, for He will soon arrive."
Verse 6 -- Blue
To be careful is to be full of care. In this context it is a reference to anxiety. Rather than anxiety, the follower of Paul's instruction should lay their burdens, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving before God.
“flip the switch" on anxiety. Certainly the best way to ease our anxiety is to enter into prayer. The greater our prayer habit, the more we will learn freedom from anxiety.
Because God knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him (Mat. 6:8), the benefit is for us, not for God.
Verse 7 -- Blue
This is the only Pauline promise of prayer (all other promises built on other dispensational foundations). Paul does not guarantee that we will receive that for which we have asked, but does promise the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. What better garrison for our hearts and minds could we ask for?
Verse 8 -- Blue
These are some of the most beautiful and quoted words of all Pauline literature. The KJV uses the more emphatic and poetic whatsoever for the pronoun ὅσος [hosos], itself an emphatic, reduplicated word.
One could argue that Paul's encouragement to think on these things that are good and positive is perhaps the best thinking habit that any person could establish.
Verse 9 -- Blue
The connection with the peace of God (v. 7) and the God of peace in verse 9 should alert us that these verses go together as a unit concerning inner peace.
Once again, as in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul our apostle is unashamed to put himself forward as our example: that which has been learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.
