Philippians 4
Christian Practices
4:1 So then, my brothers and sisters, dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!
The Greek word for "crown" is στέφανός (stephanos), meaning a victor's crown that was presented to an athletic winner at the Bema Judgment Seat. Paul expected to win a victor's crown for winning the Philippians to the Lord.
4:2 I appeal to Euodia and to Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
The Greek word for "appeal" is παρακαλέω (parakaleow), a present active indicative verb, meaning that Paul was calling these two women up close, parallel to his side, to talk about a matter.
The name Euodia means "a prosperous journey". The name Syntyche means "a pleasant acquaintance". Apparently, these two were not living up to their names.
The Greek word for "to agree" is τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν (auto proein), meaning to have the same mind. Paul was calling these two women in the church to join together and possess the mind of Christ.
4:3 Yes, I say also to you, true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
The Greek word for "companion" is σύζυγος (suzugos), meaning two oxen pulling a yoke together. They must pull and work together to make it easier on themselves and to complete the task.
At one time. Euodia and Syntyche stood at Paul's side and helped him share the gospel. They were like two equally-yoked oxen working together and pulling a heavy burden. Paul asked Clement and the rest of the church to help them resolve their differences. He wanted them to be equally-yoked oxen again.
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!
The Greek word for "rejoice" is χαίρω (chariot), a present active imperative, meaning that Paul was commanding them to continually be rejoicing because of the kindness that God had given them. Paul declared it twice, making this an emphatic continual command. The two women were not to be grumpy and angry. They were to be continually double rejoicing.
Joy is not something that an unbeliever can possess. This is why the members of the satanic world system will pay comedians millions of dollars a year to make them laugh by telling them dirty and blasphemous jokes. This is why the bar industry makes millions on happy hours.
Joy is a fruit of the spirit. It is not something that a person can produce. The fruit of the spirit comes from study and application of the entire counsel of the Word of God. Believers with incomplete Bible doctrine cannot find joy, because they do not understand how the fruits of the spirit are produced. The fruits of the spirit are produced when a believer is fulfilling the mission that God assigned him before the foundations of the world.
4:5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!
Paul wanted everyone to see the gentle side of these two women. He reminded these women that Christ could return at any time. Paul was not waiting for the Great Tribulation. He was waiting for the imminent return of Christ.
4:6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
Prayer is powerful, but not unless one prays for the right things. One cannot pray for the right things unless he has complete Bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God. Those who know little Bible doctrine do not know how to pray, what to ask for, or even what church to attend. Paul's simple advice was to worry about nothing, but pray about everything.
God hears the prayers of His children. He does not listen to the prayers of unbelievers. Unbelievers have a different father who does not love them and is not very kind to them. God also answers all of the prayers of His children. Sometimes, His answer is no, but it is an answer. If a child of God prays for a snake, God will not give it to him.
4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
What is peace? There is world peace, which will only come through the Prince of Peace. There is peace when a believer's sins are given, which happens at the moment of salvation. There is the peace of tranquility, which only Christ can give to those who master Bible doctrine. The peace that surpass all understanding is the mature believer’s walk with God, confident that Christ will guard his heart and mind.
The Greek word for "guard" is φρουρέω (proureow), a future active indicative verb, meaning that God has promised to guard the prayer warrior like a soldier keeps guard during his duty, watching for the enemy. This is the type of peace that is promised to those who pray.
4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Paul now gives a description of Christ. He is the truth. Pilate asked about the truth when He was standing right in front of him. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to me.."
Jesus is worthy of respect. The satanic world system does not respect Him too much. They downgrade His deity to a great historical figure at best.
He is just. Satan can find many things in believers, but he could find nothing in Christ.
He is pure. He was the only one who could keep the Mosaic Law. His enemies could find no sin in Him.
He is lovely. According to Isaiah 53, He is the beautiful flower in the arid desert of the Roman Empire.
He is commendable. He is to be honored and commended for His humility. As God, He became a man and died a humiliating death on the cross. However, He was willing and eager and joyous to do it.
He is excellent. He is the name above all names.
He is praiseworthy. The music of the satanic world system makes millions on praising sex, alcohol, and drugs. Every song should be a praise to Jesus.
Paul commanded the Philippians to think about the different attributes of Jesus.
4:9 And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
The Philippians were to take the Bible doctrine that they had learned and apply it in real life. Anyone who really loves Christ will do the same. Paul had enough Bible doctrine in his soul that he could ask others to imitate him. When believers fill their souls with Bible doctrine as Paul did, then the God of peace will be with them.
Appreciation for Support
4:10 I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)
Paul had been arrested and sent to prison in Rome. He had not heard one thing in two years from the Philippians, who were his spiritual children and his crown. Finally, they contacted Paul, by sending their pastor to him. This made Paul rejoice, because he knew that they were thinking about him.
4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.
Paul possessed the mind of Christ, so prison was no problem for him. He did not need anything from the Philippians. Christ was all that he needed. Christ is the joy that surpasses understanding.
It is important to note that mature believers can be happy under any circumstance, because they understand the sovereignty of God. On the other hand, unbelievers and carnal Christians are never happy. They always desire more change, more entertainment, more power and more materialism. The last thing that an unbeliever or carnal Christian wants is more bible doctrine.
4:12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.
The mind of Christ was useful to Paul when he was hungry, thirsty, cold, or in time of need. Paul appreciated their sympathy, but he had everything he needed in Christ.
4:13 I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This is one of the most quoted verses in Scripture. It is actually mistranslated in most English versions. The Greek word for "through" is ἐν, meaning that the believer can do all things IN CHRIST. Believers do not accomplish things through Christ. They accomplish all things because they are in Christ.
Charismatics and prosperity teachers misquote this verse in order to teach their false doctrine of prosperity. Christ will not give a prosperity believer everything that he asks. He certainly will not give him a snake. What Christ will give is everything that is asked that is in the will of God. There is a big difference.
Many people with problems attend a conference or visit a counselor or listen to an audio teaching, expecting to receive help. What they need to do is study the entire counsel of the Word of God. This will make the believer complete and connected with everything that God wants the believer to know. Too many baby Christians start with the Book of John and never study the other 66 books. They should start with Genesis and study the entire counsel of the Word of God in the order that it was written. It is this process that will solve the problems of life.
Christ is the head and the church is the body. The head commands and tells the body what to do. Once the head decides that the body is to complete a task, then Christ strengthens that body part to accomplish the task.
4:14 Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.
Paul appreciated and thanked the Philippians for taking the time to visit him while in prison.
4:15 And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
The Philippians were the only church to send a pastor to visit Paul while he was in prison.
4:16 For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.
When Paul was in trouble in Thessalonica, the Philippians sent Paul aide and assistance.
4:17 I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.
The Philippians placed stock in Paul and it was beginning to pay off.
4:18 For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.
The Mosaic priests offered a fragrant offering of perfume to God which smelled really good. Epaphroditus, the Philippian pastor, brought a gift to Paul from the Philippian church. This gift was like a fragrant offering to Paul, as it smelled very good.
4:19 And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Since the Philippians saw to Paul's needs, Paul promised them that God would see to their needs.
4:20 May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.
God receives all of the glory. He had orchestrated all of these details before the foundations of the world were even created. God will not share His glory with another.
Final Greetings
4:21 Give greetings to all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me here send greetings.
Paul said hello to the church members in Philippi.
4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
Many of the soldiers, leaders, and workers in Emperor Nero's household had been converted through Paul. They all send greetings to the Philippians.
4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul prayed that the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ would be with them all in spirit.