PHP_4:1. STEADFASTNESS. Paul introduces his exhortation to steadfastness with the word wherefore, so as to base it on what he has just said about the coming of Christ and its expected effects, and he enriches it with an affectionate reference to the relation of the Philippians to himself. In a pecul... [ Continue Reading ]
PHP_4:2 F. UNITY AND HELPFULNESS. In particular the apostle has exhortations for three people. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, seem to be not quite friendly towards each other; he exhorts them to come together, by realising that they are both in Christ. Possibly the Greek word rendered yoke-fellow ... [ Continue Reading ]
PHP_4:4-7. JOY AND PEACE. Once again Paul sounds his dominant note of joy. For the fifth and last time he refers to the return of Christ (_cf. Php_1:6; Php_1:10_, Php_2:16, Php_3:20). He deprecates anxiety and commends his readers to prayer, a consequence of which will be that a peace given by God w... [ Continue Reading ]
PHP_4:8 F. SUBJECTS OF THOUGHT. A second time Paul prepares to close, again using the word Finally. His message now is to commend worthy topics of thought. Departing from the usual Biblical vocabulary, he selects words more often found in the classics to designate pagan excellences. This must be of... [ Continue Reading ]
PHP_4:10-18. THANKS FOR THE GIFTS. The Philippians had sent assistance to Paul several times. They had begun when he was at Thessalonica, sending there twice. Now Epaphroditus has been bringing a more recent contribution. Paul delights in this because it is a fruit of Christian grace in the good peo... [ Continue Reading ]
PHP_4:19-23. CONCLUSION. Paul's wants have been supplied, now he is assured that the wants of his friends will also be provided for; the ground of this hope is that God has given glorious riches in Christ. So the apostle utters a doxology to the Father. The letter being written to the whole church,... [ Continue Reading ]