Philippians 4:1-23

Letter of Joy

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians

Hilda Bright

Chapter 4

Paul appeals for a steady *faith and for unity 4:1-3

v1 So then, my dear brothers and sisters, whom I love and I want very much to see. You are my joy and my crown. Continue to follow the *Lord. v2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree with each other in the *Lord. v3 And you too, my true companion, I ask you to help these women. They worked hard with me to spread the *gospel. So did Clement and all my other companions in the work. Their names are in the book of life.

Verse 1 There are many enemies of the *cross. But Christians can look forward to Christ’s return. So, they must be strong. Paul shows his great love for the Christians at Philippi. He calls them his ‘dear brothers and sisters’ and his ‘joy and crown’. He had the ‘joy’ of knowing that they were Christians. The ‘crown’ was not the royal crown of kings. The *Greek word means a ring of leaves. They put it on the head of an *athlete who succeeded in a race. Paul’s reward for all his efforts will be his Christian friends at Philippi. The ‘crown’ was also a sign of honour for guests at a feast (a special meal). The Christians at Philippi will be Paul’s sign of honour at God’s ‘feast’ in heaven.

Verse 2 Euodia and Syntyche were two well-known Christian women in Philippi. Either on his first visit or later they had both worked hard with Paul to spread the *gospel. For some reason they had quarrelled. It was a serious matter, as it would make the witness of the Christians there weak. Paul shows how much he cares for both of them by appealing to each woman by name. He wants them to agree ‘in the *Lord’, as Christians should.

Verse 3 We have translated the *Greek word ‘syzygos’ by ‘companion’. It means someone who works with another person. It is similar to the word for a *yoke. When animals worked together, people joined them with a *yoke. ‘Syzygos’ might be a man’s name. But we do not know of any other examples. He must help the two women. Then his actions will prove that his name is suitable for him. But perhaps ‘Syzygos’ is not a man’s name. Then, we do not know whom Paul meant. But it was someone well-known in Philippi whom people respected. Writers have suggested Epaphroditus, Timothy or Luke. Luke had been a close companion of Paul on his first visit to Philippi (Acts 16:12-17). He may have stayed there until Paul’s return some years later (Acts 20:2-5). ‘Clement’ was a very common name and we know nothing about this person. The ‘other companions’ may have been too many to mention. But God knew who they were. Paul says that their names are in the book of life. The idea of a book like this comes several times in the Bible. (See, for example, Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20 and Revelation 13:8.) In this book of life, God keeps a record of those people who are loyal to him.

Paul encourages the Christians and he gives them instructions 4:4-9

v4 *Rejoice in your friendship with the *Lord. I say it again, ‘*Rejoice!’ v5 Show a gentle attitude towards everyone. The *Lord is near. v6 Do not worry about anything. But tell God about everything. And ask God for what you need. And give him thanks. v7 And God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That peace is far beyond anything that human *beings can understand. v8 And now, Christian friends, fill your minds with true, noble, right, pure and lovely things and with things that we should praise. v9 Practise what you have learned from me, in my words and actions. And the *Lord who gives peace will be with you.

Verse 4 To *rejoice is the attitude of Paul (Philippians 1:1-4; Philippians 2:7; Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1). He tells the Christians at Philippi to *rejoice. Whatever their circumstances, Paul and his friends can have joy, because the *Lord Jesus is always near them.

Verse 5 Christians should behave towards other people with *mercy, patience and understanding love.

‘The *Lord is near’ might mean:

1 The *Lord is always close to them.

2 The *Lord knows everything that a Christian does.

3 The *Lord is coming again soon.

These words encourage Christians to remember the love with which God deals with them. They hope that God will deal with them with sympathy. So they should be gentle towards other people who make mistakes.

Verse 6 ‘The *Lord is near’ might also introduce the words ‘Do not worry about anything’. These words will remind Christians that the *Lord is always with them. And they will meet him when he returns. Christians should pray about everything. They should pray:

1 that God will forgive them for the past

2 about what they need now, both for the body and for the spirit

3 for God to guide them in the future.

‘God’s love desires what is best for us. His wisdom knows what is best. His power can cause what is best for us to happen.’ Every prayer should include thanks. We should be grateful that God wants to listen. We should believe that he will give us the best answer.

Verse 7 The result of prayer is that we will have God’s peace in our hearts. God’s peace will be like a soldier who is on guard duty in our hearts. The peace that God gives will protect our thoughts and desires. That is because God has united us to Christ Jesus. This peace is ‘far beyond anything that human *beings can understand’. Human people can never produce this peace, however much they try. Good ideas will never free a Christian from worry in the way that God’s peace does. It is also far beyond anything that we can understand. God is able to do so much more than we could ever ask. He is able to do so very much more than we could even think’ (Ephesians 3:20). Christ ‘loves us more than anyone can ever really know’ (Ephesians 3:19).

Verses 8, 9 Paul gives a list of what Christians should think about. Thoughts like these will help them to live in a way that pleases God:

1 ‘true’ things. The *Greek word can mean genuine, or free from error. Christians should avoid anything that is false and disappointing.

2 ‘Noble’. Christians will concentrate on serious matters. Some things seem attractive, but they are of little value. They are not worth thinking about. And they are not worth spending time on.

3 ‘Right’. Christians should do what God wants. They will always deal with other people fairly.

4 ‘Pure’. In the world, many people think, speak and act in a nasty way. Christians have to live in that society. But a Christian’s thoughts and actions should be so clean that they are suitable for God to know about.

5 ‘Lovely’. Those who are kind to other people will receive love in return. This word can mean things that are beautiful.

6 ‘things that we should praise’. This ‘praise’ does not mean ‘to speak well of’. The *Greek word means words that are suitable for God to hear.

7 Paul had taught the Christians at Philippi about Jesus. He had also given them a good model, by the way that he lived. So they must put his words and actions into practice. Then they will have God’s peace.

Paul thanks the Christians at Philippi for their gift 4:10-20

v10 I *rejoice that now at last you have been able to show your care for me again. I do not mean that you had forgotten me. You have had no opportunity to help until now. v11 I am telling you this. But it is not because I need anything. In fact, I have learned to be content whatever happens to me. v12 I know how to live when I need things. And I know how to live when I have plenty. In all circumstances, I have learned the secret of how to be content. I am content whether I have plenty to eat or not. v13 I am ready for anything by Christ who gives me strength. v14 But it was very kind of you to share my troubles. v15 You Christians at Philippi remember what happened in the early days. Those were the days when you first heard the *gospel. When I left Macedonia, you were the only church to share with me. You shared in the matter of giving and receiving gifts. v16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent me help. You sent me help when I needed it. You did it again and again. v17 It is not that I am hoping for a gift. I am hoping for the reward that will come to you because of your gift. v18 I have received enough, and more than enough. Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. And so, now I have all that I need. They are a sweet smelling gift to God, which pleases him. v19 And my God will supply all that you need from his great riches in Christ Jesus. v20 I pray that honour will be to our God and Father for ever! *Amen.

Verse 10 Paul used a word for a plant that had flowered again. It was not dead, like the way a tree or plant seems in winter. At the right time, we see flowers. The right time for Paul’s friends has now arrived. Before this there may have been no suitable *messenger. Or there was some other reason for their lack of opportunity.

Verses 11-13 The people called Stoics believed that they could be ‘content’ in any situation by an effort of will. They aimed to be free from every emotion. Paul, however, knew that to be ‘content’ was a gift from God. Christ had given him the strength to accept pleasant or difficult circumstances. ‘I have..... known lack of sleep. I have been hungry and *thirsty. I have often been without food, shelter or clothing’ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Verses 14-16 The Christians at Philippi had helped Paul when he went to them during his second journey. His troubles included a night in prison with Silas (Acts 16:11-40). (Now Paul is in prison again, as he writes this letter!) Their practical help had continued when he went on to Thessalonica. He said that they had shared ‘in the matter of giving and receiving’. They had given him what he needed for his physical life. Paul taught them and he encouraged their *spiritual life. He showed them, by his life, how to live as a Christian (1 John 1:6).

Verse 17 But Paul was not hoping for a gift. ‘It is you that I want, not your money’ (2 Corinthians 12:14). He wanted their ‘account’ with God to have extra ‘credit’. Then they would receive the reward for their kindness when Jesus returns.

Verse 18 Paul continued to use language from business. He said that he had ‘received’ enough. He used a word that means, ‘Here is my receipt.’ Paul had received more than enough for himself, now that Epaphroditus had brought their gifts. These may have been money, food or clothing. The gifts were like a lovely *sacrifice to God himself. In the *Old Testament, the ‘sweet smell’ of a *sacrifice was pleasant to God (Genesis 8:21). Their Christian service to Paul was an act of *worship that pleased God. And that made Paul very glad.

Verse 19 A gift to God does not make anyone who gives it poor (Luke 6:38). God will supply all that they themselves need, for both body and spirit. God, who lives in *glory, created everything. Therefore his wealth is more than enough for everything that we could need. ‘How great are his riches!’ (See Romans 11:33.) Paul knew from his own experience that this was true. The words ‘my God’ show that. God will supply all that they need ‘in Christ Jesus’. Jesus is the way by which God’s love comes to people. Their *faith in Jesus will bring them true wealth because they will know God’s immense love.

Verse 20 As he thinks about God’s great love, Paul can only end in *worship. He is ‘our’ God, the God both of Paul and of the Christians at Philippi. He is the ‘Father’ of all who trust in Jesus his Son. He is the *eternal God whom men and women should praise for ever. ‘*Amen’ adds Paul’s wish that this will be so.

Final greetings 4:21-23

v21 Greetings to each one of God’s people who belongs to Christ Jesus. The Christian brothers and sisters here with me send their greetings. v22 All God’s people here send greetings, especially those who live in Caesar’s home. v23 I pray that the *grace of the *Lord Jesus Christ will be with you all.

Verse 21 Paul sends his greetings to ‘each’ Christian in Philippi. He does not mention any by name but he includes them all.

The ‘Christian brothers and sisters’ with Paul are the ones who are working with him. He means Timothy, among other Christians (1:14).

Verse 22 Paul sends greetings from the wider number of *believers. ‘Those who live in Caesar’s home’ were probably officials in the *Roman government. They may have known government officials in other places, including Philippi, especially as it was a *Roman city. Some may have come from Macedonia and they wanted to greet their friends and relatives.

Paul sends greetings to and from Christians in different occupations. In this way, he showed his desire for Christian unity. Reference to *believers among the officials means that the Christian *faith had reached the absolute centre of *Roman government.

Verse 23 Paul began his letter by praying that his friends at Philippi will have ‘*grace and peace’ from God (1:2). He ends by sending them his *blessing. ‘*Grace’ comes from the ‘*Lord Jesus Christ’, whose love is the source of all *spiritual *blessings. The whole letter gives honour to Christ who is ‘*Lord’ of all *believers.

faith ~ (1) belief or trust in; (2) the facts of Christian belief.
Lord ~ Master, Ruler, God.
gospel ~ good news about Jesus.
cross ~ a piece of wood that someone has fastened across another piece. People put Jesus on a cross in order to kill him.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament (the second part of our Bible). It can mean a person who spoke Greek.
athlete ~ a person who takes a part in games and races.
yoke ~ 1) a bar of wood that joins two animals together; 2) something that unites people in a common task.
rejoice ~ to be very happy.
being ~ a person or animal that is alive.
rejoice ~ to be very happy.
mercy ~ God’s love and goodness.
Amen ~ we agree; it is true; that is right; let it be so.
messenger ~ a person who carries messages.
thirsty ~ when someone needs a drink.
spiritual ~ about the part of us that never dies rather than physical things.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God.'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before the life of Jesus.
worship ~ to give thanks to God and Jesus; to praise God and to show him honour.
glory ~ great love and honour like the beautiful light round God. It can mean heaven.
eternal ~ without beginning or end.
grace ~ God’s generous free gift; God’s love that people do not deserve and cannot earn.
believer ~ a person who knows and accepts Christ.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at that time. That which belonged to Rome was Roman.
blessing ~ a good thing that God does for us; a blessing can be a prayer that God will be good to someone.
grace ~ God’s generous free gift; God’s love that people do not deserve and cannot earn.