LESSON: Philippians 4:2-14

PLACE: from Rome

TIME: A.D. 61

GOLDEN TEXT: “Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6)

Paul loved the Philippians. Paul’s desire was that they would be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance). Love and Joy and even Peace were foremost in Paul’s heart for them. In order to experience the goodness and graces of God, He must be the center of one’s life. Paul made this plain as he wrote to the saints at Philippi. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, did not live up to the meanings of their names. “Euodia” means a “prosperous journey.” “Syntyche” means a “pleasant acquaintance.” Since Paul pleaded with these two to agree with each other in the Lord, it seems that they were causing dissension in the assembly. This helps explain Paul’s earlier plea for unity (2:1-4). (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:2)
“Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” are the words echoed in Philippians 4:3 (New Revised Standard). At one time Euodia and Syntyche contended at Paul’s side in the cause of the gospel. But as he wrote they were not in harmony with each other. They were contentious, rather than content. The exact identity of Paul’s loyal yokefellow is not known. Some say “yokefellow” (syzyge) is a proper name. Paul knew he could count on him to work with the women and bring them back to fellowship with each other and with the Lord. Clement and other fellow workers had also contended for the gospel with these women. (This is more likely than supposing the words “along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers” go with “help,” as though Paul were enlisting Clement and others to help Syzygus unite the women.) (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:3)
Sometimes the trials and pressures of life make it almost impossible to be happy. But Paul did not tell his readers to be happy. He encouraged them to rejoice in the Lord. In fact, he said it twice in verse 4 (3:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). Christ is the One in whom the sphere of rejoicing was to take place. Surely there are many circumstances in which Christians cannot be happy. But they can always rejoice in the Lord and delight in Him. Paul himself was an excellent example of one who had inner joy when external circumstances—such as persecution, imprisonment, the threat of death—were against him. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:4)
As believer’s in Jesus Christ, this is the perfect time to display gentleness towards others especially those of the household of faith, the Lord is near. Joy and gentleness (see verses 4-5), accompanied with an awareness of Christ’s imminent return, should dispel anxiety. Paul’s appeal to the Philippians is do not be anxious about anything. But this was not a call to a carefree life. To care and be genuinely concerned is one thing. To worry is another. Paul and Timothy cared for the people they ministered to (2 Corinthians 11:28; Philippians 2:20), yet they retained trust in God. Jesus warned against worry which obviously eliminates trust in God (Matthew 6:25-33).
Paul exhorted the Philippians to prayer instead of anxiety. Praying with thanksgiving involves trusting God. Four words are used here to describe a believer’s communion with God. Prayer describes a believer’s approach to God. Petition emphasizes requesting an answer to a specific need. Thanksgiving is an attitude of heart which should always accompany one’s prayers. Requests speak of definite and specific things asked for. When the exhortations in verses 4-6 are heeded, the peace of God in verse 7 will flood one’s troubled soul. The Lord Jesus Christ is a believer’s peace (Ephesians 2:14), and every child of God has peace with God through justification by faith (Romans 5:1). But the peace of (or from) God relates to the inner tranquility of a believer’s close walk with God. This peace of God transcends all understanding, that is, it is beyond man’s ability to comprehend. This peace guards the believers. Guard, also used in 1 Peter 1:5 translates a military term which means “to protect or garrison by guarding.” Like soldiers assigned to watch over a certain area, God’s peace garrisons the hearts and... minds, that is, the emotions and thoughts, of God’s children. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:6-7)
As Paul concludes this section, by the power of God, he suggests six items that a Christian ought to demonstrate in order to have a WHOLESOME life in Christ. True things are of course the opposite of dishonest and unreliable things (Ephesians 4:15, 25).. Noble refers to what is dignified and worthy of respect. Right refers to conformity to God’s standards. Pure refers to what is wholesome, not mixed with moral impurity. Lovely, occurring only here in the NT) speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict. Admirable relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:8) The Christian life involves proper thinking (verse 8), but it also includes doing righteous deeds.
Since the Philippians knew Paul well, he could ask them to follow his example. They had learned... received and heard from him, and they had even seen the apostle’s conduct. As they put these things (from Paul’s teaching and living) into practice, they would enjoy the presence of the God of peace (cf. “the peace of God,” verse 7).
(Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:9)
How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn’t have the chance to help me. (Verse 10) And then Paul did not beg God’s people to help him in his work. He just placed the need before them and trusted God to meet it. Too, he had learned the lesson of contentment. Changing circumstances did not affect the inner contentment he enjoyed. The word content means “self-sufficient.” The Stoics used this word (which occurs only here in the NT) to mean human self-reliance and fortitude, a calm acceptance of life’s pressures. But Paul used it to refer to a divinely bestowed sufficiency, whatever the circumstances. At times Paul experienced definite financial and material needs, and at other times he had an abundance (verse 12). He learned how to cope with both need and plenty. Paul became use to being content when either well fed or hungry, and either in plenty or in want. Paul said he could do everything—including handling poverty and living in abundance—through Him who gave him strength. This was not an expression of pride in his own abilities but a declaration of the strength provided by Christ. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:10-13)
The Amplified Bible reads, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me: I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency). (Philippians 4; 13) Though Paul was content no matter what the circumstances, he was nevertheless grateful for the help the Philippians sent with Epaphroditus. Because they gave of their means they shared with the apostle in his troubles; they did something about his problem. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Philippians 4:14)