Philippians 4 - Introduction

PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER FOUR
A MIND OF MANY VIRTUES

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The fourth chapter contains several paragraphs not directly related to one another, but all reflecting the good mind of Paul and the Philippians. They seem to be fruits growing on the tree of a good Christian mind.

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1.

Virtue of standing fast; Philippians 4:1.

2.

Virtue of harmony (being of the same mind); Philippians 4:2-4.

3.

Virtue of joy and prayer; Philippians 4:4-7.

4.

Virtue of right thinking; Philippians 4:8-9.

5.

Thanks for the Philippians-' gift; Philippians 4:10-20.

a.

Paul's feelingsjoy and contentment; Philippians 4:10-13.

b.

The Philippians-' fellowship with Paul; Philippians 4:14-16.

At the present; Philippians 4:14

In the past; Philippians 4:15-16

c.

Paul's feelings (resumed); Philippians 4:17-20.

He sought fruit from them; Philippians 4:17

He was now well-supplied; Philippians 4:18

God would supply their needs; Philippians 4:19-20

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Salutations and Benediction; Philippians 4:21-23.

Study and Review
Questions Over Philippians Chapter Four

1.

How many times in Philippians four do such phrases as in the Lord, or in Christ, or in him occur? How many times altogether in the whole book of Philippians?

2.

What descriptive terms does Paul use in Philippians 4:1 to refer to the Philippians?

3.

What are the two Greek words translated crown? Which word is used in Philippians 4:1? What do the two words mean?

4.

What small phrase is repeated three times in Philippians 4:1-4? What is the phrase applied to in each case?

5.

Name two respects in which Christians should stand fast? (Philippians 4:1)

6.

Who were Euodia and Syntyche, and why, apparently, are they mentioned in Philippians 4:2?

7.

How prominent were the womenfolk in the churches of Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea)? Acts 16:13-14; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:12.

8.

Explain the term yokefellow. To whom may it refer?

9.

What resources and efforts were mobilized by Paul to mend a quarrel in the church at Philippi?

10.

What commendable thing had Euodia and Syntyche done?

11.

Who was Clement?

12.

What is the book of life?

13.

How emphatic is the command to rejoice? In what respect can we always be rejoicing?

14.

What is forbearance (or moderation)? To whom is our forbearance to be made known?

15.

Does the statement that the Lord is at hand, mean that his second coming is near, or that he is always close to us?

16.

What is to cause us anxiety or care?

17.

What is the remedy, or alternative, to anxiety?

18.

What will be the result of telling our requests to God?

19.

What connection is there between godliness and sanity?

20.

What is to crowd out falsehood, dishonesty, impurity, etc. from our minds? (Philippians 4:8)

21.

What appeal was used to urge us to think on things true, honest, etc.?

22.

From whom had the Philippians obtained a proper knowledge of godly living and thinking?

23.

What deed of the Philippians had caused Paul great joy?

24.

Had the Philippians previously been unconcerned with Paul's needs?

25.

Why had the Philippians neglected Paul?

26.

Did Paul express joy because his wants had been supplied?

27.

What valuable attitude had Paul learned? (Philippians 4:11-12)

28.

What were some of the circumstances in which Paul had learned to be content?

29.

What was the source of Paul's strength to do all things in all circumstances?

30.

If Paul was relatively insensible to want, what made the Philippians-' generosity so pleasing to him? (Philippians 4:14; Philippians 4:17)

31.

What does having fellowship (or communicating) with my affliction mean?

32.

To what does Paul refer by the expression the beginning of the gospel? (Philippians 4:15)

33.

How many other churches had given to Paul as the Philippians had?

34.

Were the Philippians a wealthy people? (See 2 Corinthians 8:1-3)

35.

What is the fruit that increaseth to your account? (Philippians 4:17)

36.

Why did Paul desire the fruit that increased to their account?

37.

Where, in particular, had the Philippians sent money to Paul previously? How many times?

38.

What is the action, or event, or thing alluded to in the figure of speech, an odor of a sweet smell?

39.

Can a financial offering be like a sacrificial animal offering? If so, in what ways?

40.

How will all a Christian's needs be supplied?

41.

According to what measure will God supply all our need?

42.

What moved Paul to utter the doxology of Philippians 4:20?

43.

What does the word doxology mean?

44.

What does salute mean? (Philippians 4:21)

45.

Who were some of the brethren with Paul? (Philippians 4:21)

46.

In what astounding place did some of the Roman Christians reside?

47.

What is Paul's characteristic benediction in this letter?

48.

Suggest, if you can, a title for this whole chapter that more fully sums up its contents than our title, A Mind of Many Virtues.