This Tuesday we are concluding our discussion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians with our reading of Philippians 4. Paul wraps up this correspondence by renewing his call to rejoice in the Lord always. If you have time before Tuesday, please read through the entire letter.
Euodia and Syntyche: (vv.2-3)
Paul begins his concluding remarks by asking two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to stop quarreling and by asking other church leaders to help them make peace. Paul addresses these women as “fellow workers.” This is the same term he previously used for Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25) and that Paul uses elsewhere in other letters. They are leaders in the church. But, as leaders, their dispute has the potential to be disruptive to the body. Their dispute may be personal, but it is not private. Therefore, Paul requests other leaders to help these two individuals become of one mind with each other. This is simply good congregational leadership.
Rejoice in the Lord: (vv.4-7)
In this short exhortation, Paul again returns to his theme that we should at all times and in all places “Rejoice in the Lord.” (v.4) Our joy does not arise in a vacuum, but arises through the Cross and in God’s unmerited grace, unconditional love, and everlasting mercy. We have looked at this exhortation before in our discussion of Philippians 3:1. This joy necessarily leads to that mercy or forbearance (v.5) towards others that Paul first wrote about in Philippians 2:1-4.
In this rejoicing, we further understand that God is near us, and therefore we should not be anxious or worry about anything. (Think of Jesus’s teaching on the lilies of the field and the birds of the air in Matthew 6:25-34.) The antidote to any anxiety is prayer that is offered in a spirit of thanksgiving (Gk: eucharistias). Think about the inherent connection between rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Paul ends his exhortation by writing that the “peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” v.7. The word Paul uses for “keep” is phroureo which is a military term meaning “to guard or keep watch as a military sentinel.” The Philippians lived in a Roman city guarded by Roman soldiers who kept watch. Paul is telling them (and us) that God’s peace stands on duty like a watchman calming the hearts of the faithful and protecting them from spiritual harm. Rejoicing not only leads to peace, but peace protects and allows for the rejoicing.
Virtues from Above: (vv.8-9)
Verses 8-9 provide the conclusion to Paul’s command to “Rejoice!” To continue in our joy that leads to peace, Paul writes that we should keep our minds on those virtues which come from above. Each of these virtues is an aspect of God. Whenever we think about those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, admirable, gracious, excellent, or praiseworthy, we are actually thinking and focusing on God. The things of this world that exhibit these characteristics do so because they participate in the Divine itself.
Paul wraps up this final exhortation by once more holding himself out and his teaching up as an example. Paul has talked the talk and walked the walk, he holds himself out as someone to imitate. See, 3:17. When all is said and done, the God of peace (not simply the “peace of God”) is present. It is this presence that is the result of everything that Paul has written up until this verse.
SCHEDULE:
- I am preaching this Sunday at Messiah at 10 am.
- We are not meeting on Tuesday, July 30
- In August, we will begin a study on Ephesians.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is ratatouille with meat. Discussion about 6:45. Compline at 8. Hope to see everyone here!
The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
He fulfils the desire of all who fear him,
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him;
but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:18-20