4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche,
to
think the same way in the Lord.
4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yoke-fellow, help
these women,
for they labored with me in the gospel, with
Clement also,
and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names
are in the book of life.
4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything,
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known
to God.
4:7 The peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding,
will guard your hearts and your thoughts in
Christ
Jesus.
for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound.
In everything and in all things I have learned the secret
both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed
from Macedonia,
no assembly shared with me in the matter of
giving
and receiving but you only.
4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
Php 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
The whole letter to the Philippians is about standing firm. Note my
outline:
|
|
1:1-11 | Fellowship in the Gospel |
1:12-30 | Fearlessly Contend for the Gospel |
2:1-2 | With an Attitude of Unity |
2:3-11 | With an Attitude of Humility |
2:12-18 | With an Application Oriented Mindset |
2:19-30 | In Cooperation with Other Laborers |
3:1-14 | Against False Teachers of Legalistic Righteousness |
3:15-21 | With a Mature Attitude |
4:1-3 | With Unity in Mind |
4:4-9 | Rejoice, Request, Reason, Reproduce |
4:10-19 | With Contentment and Generosity |
4:20-23 | Final Greetings |
And another thing to note in this verse is that Paul found it
edifying
to express his feelings for them. Effective Christian ministry isn't
all
about doctine. Among other things, it's also about interpersonal
relationships.
Therefore consider whether and to what extent you're developing an
emotional
attachment to fellow believers.
Php 4:2,3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
This is the first time in the Bible where we see the phrase "the book of life". In fact the only other place we learn of this book is in Revelation, which was written later by the apostle John. There we learn that "if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev 20:15 So to be saved from God's wrath is to have your name written in the book of life. It is interesting the Paul confidently affirmed these were saved, despite their imperfect behavior, in that, at least in the case of the two women, there was some kind of dispute going on. Paul himself was not above such things, having parted company with Barnabus in a sharp dispute over Mark. "They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus but Paul chose Silas and left" Acts 15:39 And likewise Paul and Barnabus together had to contend with Peter and the others in Jerusalem over the issue of Gentile Christians. But eventually al these got resolved. So while contentions may arise among Christians, see to it that they be eventually resolved. With regards to ministry matters it's often the case that either God is calling for compromise between the parties, or else for them to have separate ministries.
But again with regards to declaring these as having their names
written
in the book of life, it is apparent from his writings that this was not
by special revelation, but simply that their behavior, their
convictions
as revealed by their lifestyle, indicated to all that this was the
fact.
And likewise does Paul write in many of his letters, confidently
affirming,
in many cases, the salvation status of many of his readers, despite the
fact that is was clear their behavior was less than perfect and yet
indicative
of their salvation status. Here we notice that these women, and Clement
and others were involved in laboring together with Paul. Such behavior
is to be expected of those born of God. So put your faith into action
and
then something could be said of your salvation status.
Php 4:4,5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
There is good reason to be glad, despite the difficulties of this
life,
in view of our destiny, having been saved from the wrath of God, our
names
being written in the book of life. "Gentleness" here is a peaceful
humble
attitude, one which is not quarrelsome or harsh. It is the kind of meek
cooperative attitude which Paul hopes to invoke between Euodia and
Syntyche,
among others. Xrefs to "gentleness": Titus 3:2; 1Peter
2:18 Rejoicing in the midst of tribulations is contingent upon such
an attitude of gentleness. But even if one is discouraged, you can be
encouraged
by the fact that, "The LORD is close to the
brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18
So "though the fig tree does not bud and there
are
no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields
produce
no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the
stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Hab
3:17,18
Php 4:6,7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Be a prayer worrier! If there's something you're worried about right now, then pray about it. Ask for for what you need, or put it in his hands to deal with it. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1Peter 5:7 Even Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane prayed about his anxiety concerning his crucifixion. And God strengthened him to face it.
This is the peace that doesn't make sense - the peace of mind which
is gained by faith in God. Pray until you attain such peace. It will
guard
your hearts from evil desires and your minds from evil thoughts."You
will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he
trusts
in you." Is 26:3
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.
The Christian life is not just about doing certain things and
abstaining
from other things. It's also about what we think, how we reason. In
fact
applications are largely derived by reasoning out and inferring the
scripture's
intended applications. "God is spirit, and his
worshipers
must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 The
Christian
life is not lived in blind obedience as if under the oppression of the
law, but in an enlightened obedience as a son learning to take on his
father's
perspective. Thus for example while God commanded Abraham to kill his
son,
it is written that, "Abraham reasoned
that
God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive
Isaac
back from death." Heb 11:19 So let us learn to
reason
about the things of God. What is true? What is noble? What is right?
What
is pure? With these kinds of questions we should approach the
scriptures
and we should approach life. For example in overcoming sin, reasoning
is
involved. The same greek word for "think" here is also "reckon" or
"count"
as in Rom 6:11 "Reckon yourselves
to
be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And unlike the faiths of many other religions which advocate
blind
faith, Christian faith is a faith that reasons.
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD Isa
1:18a
Php 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
While Christian faith involves thinking and reasoning, a faith which
is not applied is no faith. In fact our faith is revealed by what we
do.
So if you have faith you'll have works too. We derive applications
either
directly by what the scriptures command, or by inference, and also by
observation.
Consider the lifestyle of Jesus. For "whoever
claims
to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1John 2:6 And
Jesus
said, "I have given you an example, that you
should
do as I have done to you." John 13:15 Are you walking as
Jesus did? And as Paul noted in the previous chapter, he says,
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of
those
who live according to the pattern we gave you." Php 3:17 And
"my
brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an
example
of suffering and patience." Jas 5:10 It's in the
midst
of applying our faith in accordance with the scriptures and with the
examples
therein that we experience peace with God. So today put your faith into
action.
Php 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
Sometimes God allows needs to arise just in order to provide an opportunity for Christians to show their love. Paul worked to be self-sufficient and thus his comment here about them having had no opportunity to show their concern. "After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." 2Cor 12:14b And elsewhere he says, "You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak" Acts 20:34,35b (Oh that minstering Christians today would follow his example. That would free up resources to help those who are truly needy.) But even so, as in the case of Paul, and indeed of the Lord Jesus himself, opportunities will arise to provide some kind of service.
If you want to show your love, then today look for opportunities to
meet a genuine need.
Php 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Contentment is developed as a result of learning to have confidence in God's ability and desire to provide what is needed. This is the secret of contentment.
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Heb 13:5
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 1Tim 6:6-8
What are you content with? Are you content with what you have?
Php 4:14-16 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
It was not Paul's habit to ask for money. In fact he worked to be self-supporting. To the Thessalonians he said, "We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you." 2Th 3:7,8 And to the Ephesians, "You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" Acts 20:34,35 But he appreciated and commended those who took initiative to pratice generosity. For that was the example he himself set.
And this is how generosity is to be taught - namely by example rather than by command. For generosity is an act of graciousness. Thus Paul writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2Cor 9:6,7 (For more on Christian Generosity see http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/generosity.html)
It's hard to imagine that the churches which Paul established would have been reluctant to be charitable to him. But given that Paul likely didn't explicitly ask for money, it's understandable, given the level of spiritual maturity at the time. There are things that God wants us to do of which he is emphatic. But there are also things he wants us to do of which he is not emphatic, but wants us to infer His will and take initiative. That's where are hearts and our level of spiritual maturity is really revealed.
Now what is it you suppose God may want you to take initiative on?
Php 4:17-19 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
The highest of motives, namely love, is to do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. It is to do good to others, not for one's own benefit, but simply for the benefit of others. Love rejoices in the truth and is not self-seeking (1Cor 13:5,6) It needs neither positive nor negative incentives to take action.
Yet throughout the Bible we are given both positive and negative incentives to comply with God's instructions. We are encouraged to develop an enlighted self-interest, coming to realize the personal benefits we are promised for good behavior. And elsewhere we are warned of the judgement we bring on ourselves for bad behavior. For much of the Bible is written to those yet to be perfected in love.
But if it's positive incentives you need, the Bible offers a great
deal
with regards to the topic of generosity. See "Investing in a
Heavenly
Retirement Account" http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/hra.html
For example concerning the generous it is written, "He
who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and
increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your
righteousness.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on
every
occasion" 2Cor 9:10,11
Php 4:20-23 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Over the centuries the term "saint" has fallen into disuse among Christians and misuse among Catholics and Orthodox as if "saints" refer to a special category of Christians - those who are somehow holier or spiritually superior. But in fact the Bible uses the word "saint" as simply what insiders call insiders. That is in the past the word "saint" was used synonomously with the modern usage of the word "Christian". In fact the word "Christian", which is only used three times in the Bible, is how outsiders referred to insiders. So all of you who believe in Jesus in the sense of which speaks of such belief, you are all "saints". I greet you all.
Notice that in just a short time there were saints even in Caesar's
household. Paul himself may have had a hand in that. Saints should be
free
from prejudice and fellowship acknowledged on a global scale.