Philippians

Thursday, 23 February 2017

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Paul’s words now are written as a prescription containing the medicine for the anxious soul of the previous verse. With the knowledge of what Christ has done, and of what He promises for us because of what He has done, instead of being anxious we have the ability to receive “the peace of God.” It is true that we cannot see the future as it unfolds before us, but we can see the ultimate end which is promised to us. Because of this, if we can just keep our eyes on what we know lies ahead because of Christ, we should be able to obtain and live in this peace.

It is a peace which was promised in the Old Testament countless times. Isaiah records that it was available in the Lord –

“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

When Christ came, the promise was repeated for those who looked for the coming Messiah. Upon His birth, the peace long-promised had taken human form –

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14

And after His work was almost complete, Christ Jesus promised this same peace to those who followed Him –

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

It is a peace, as Paul notes, “…which surpasses all understanding.” It could never have been conceived of by man that complete and total restoration with God would come. Man could never have believed that what Christ did would absolutely assure us of a state where anxiety and conflict with God would be eradicated. But in Christ it has come. Even now for the believer, if we try to get our minds around what the work of Christ has accomplished and what it promises, we simply cannot.

Why would God have done what He did in Christ? It is mind boggling. And how could such marvelous assurances be granted to us when we continue to stray from His word, even after having received Jesus as Lord? It is astonishing. Truly such peace surpasses all understanding! And yet, because it is true, it is able “to guard your hearts and minds.”

A guard is a sentinel. It is one who watches out for dangers, sounds the alarm, and defends against the onslaught of the enemy. This is what the peace of God can do for us if we simply trust in Him. We can look beyond the trials which afflict us, and we can have the assurance that whatever they may be, they are temporary and futile in stealing us away from the sure promises which are ours to claim “through Christ Jesus.”

This final term is the key to the entire thought. It is only through Christ Jesus that this peace is attainable. It is He who died for the atonement of our sins. It is He who was resurrected unto eternal life, being found without sin. And it is He who guarantees these things to us when we are found in Him. We can have the absolute confidence that God’s word is true, and that His promises are sure because Christ Jesus has gone before us.

Life application: If you really believe the message of Christ, then you can cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you. The peace of God can, in fact, fill you completely and absolutely if you simply meditate on what His work means for you. Allow yourself to be filled with this peace. Christ has prevailed. What can the world do to us?

Lord God, You word promises us Your peace, a peace which surpasses all understanding. And how could we not have this! Christ died for our sins, He was resurrected for our justification, and He promises this to any and all who will simply believe. We have the absolute assurance of full and complete restoration with You because of Him. And so, what should we fear? Your peace is there if we simply receive it. Thank God for Jesus Christ who has done so very much for us! Amen.

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6

This is one of the more difficult exhortations Paul passes on to us. We are tied to this world and we are continuously moving forward in the stream of time, not knowing what lies even one second ahead. Trials, troubles, and tribulations enter into our lives and we have no way of knowing how they will turn out. And yet, Paul asks us to “Be anxious for nothing.” Surely this takes great effort, and yet it is possible.

Anxiety is the state of fear of the unknown and how that unknown will affect us personally. But the Bible reveals that nothing is truly unknown. God has laid out time before us, but He is outside of time. He knows what is coming, and He has already given us the final words of Scripture to prove it. Because of this, and if we can truly hold on to this, we can act in accord with Paul’s words now.

Instead of being anxious, we are to come to God “in everything by prayer and supplication.” In the Greek, both words “prayer” and “supplication” have an article in front of them. Thus, both are distinct things, and yet they are inseparable. Prayer is a word more general in meaning. On the other hand, supplication is a specific petition. The two together should form the basis of all of our communication with the Lord. We are to pray our general thoughts, and we are to note specific items which are upon our heart through supplication.

And in addition to this, we are to do it “with thanksgiving.” Whereas the “prayer” and the “supplication” are in the singular, the word “thanksgiving” is in the plural. We are to open our mouths with “thanksgivings” to God, both for those things we have been given, and also for the opportunity to lay before Him those things which we hope for.  It is in this way that we are to let our “requests be made known to God.” We are to lay our hearts out to Him and hold nothing back as if it is too small and trivial to pester him with, or too great to weary Him with. In all things, we are to so come before God.

Life application: If you struggle with anxiety, what should you do about that? Do exactly the same thing that you are instructed to do with all other things – bring it before God. Even the issue by which we are directed to make our prayers is something that we can pray about.

Heavenly Father, your word asks us to be anxious for nothing, but we are often unable to comply with that. And so in our times of anxiety, please provide us with the moral support we need, and help us to remember that even our anxieties are something we can pray to You about. When we face such times of stress about the unknown, give us reminders, showing us that You are here with us. You already know what lies ahead, and so help us to place our unknowns in Your capable hands. Amen.

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

The word Paul uses for “gentleness” is an adjective which gives the idea of being fair and reasonable. We should relax our overly strict standards in order to keep a spirit of fellowship between one another. Instead of just demanding the letter of the law, we should apply the spirit and intent of it when dealing with others. The noun form of the word is used when speaking of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 10:1 –

“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…”

By Paul’s direction, this gentle spirit should “be known to all men.” What this means is that our outward conduct is to apply equally to both the saved and the unsaved. If we have an overbearing attitude towards the lost, they will certainly remain lost. If we cannot be fair and reasonable, why would anyone want to then join together with us? And if we treat the unsaved with such care, how much more should we act in this manner towards believers.

How often it is that Christians tear one another apart instead of seeking harmony! And such an attitude towards one another does not go unnoticed by the unsaved.

To finish the verse, he says, “The Lord is at hand.” He uses a Greek translation of the Aramaic term Maranatha which means, “Lord come!” In this, he is probably referring to the imminent return of the Lord, meaning that there is no time when we should not expect Him. At the same time, he very well could be indicating that the Lord is near, being present at all times for those in His church. In either sense, the thought that our conduct is being monitored and will be judged, is clearly evident.

Life application: Our conduct towards others, both the saved and the unsaved, needs to be carefully considered. How we act can lead to eternity-changing decisions for those who see our behavior. Let each of us remember this, considering that we too were once lost, but have been given the blessing of coming to know Jesus. Let us not be the cause of any to not have this same opportunity.

Lord God, help us to conduct ourselves in such a faithful and gentle manner that others will be drawn to You, not driven from You. The message of Christ is one which means salvation and restoration. But if all others see is a bitter attitude in us, why would they want to come to know You? Rather, may they see the joy we possess because of the hope which is in us, and desire it as well. Amen.

Monday, 20 February 2017

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Paul now returns to the words of verse 3:1 –

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.”

The theme of joy which flows from Paul’s pen is an exhortation for all to not merely rejoice, but to “Rejoice in the Lord.” He has just given stern warnings concerning the “mutilators of the flesh,” and living in the flesh for this world as opposed to living in the Spirit in anticipation of the next. After that, he noted the division between Euodia and Syntyche. Certainly each of these points would lead to, or be the cause of, a lack of joy. However, Paul would have it otherwise for them. And not only were they to “Rejoice in the Lord,” but they were to do it “always.”

The only way this would be possible would be to fall back on his warnings from the previous chapter and to “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” With this as their constant goal, they would truly be able to “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

And then to go beyond the words of exhortation, grounding them solidly in the minds of those at Philippi (and thus to us!), he says, “Again I will say, rejoice!” It is more than a mere exhortation, but it comes out as a full-fledged command. It is our very duty as Christians. We are instructed to rejoice. It is to be our determined and set purpose at all times. Commanding joy may seem impossible; but by adhering to his exhortations, it is not only possible, it is to be fully realized in each of us. What can the world do to us if we have our hope in something beyond this world? That is the intent and purpose of Paul’s words to us.

Life application: Rejoice in the Lord always!

Lord God, Your word gives us the strongest exhortation to rejoice in You always. In fact, it is as if a command has been given. How can we rejoice when our eyes are set on earthly things which break, soil, die, are stolen, and the like? It’s not possible. But when our eyes are set on You, and we have as our goal the prize of Your upward call in Christ Jesus, it is not only possible, it is expected! We have a hope which transcends this fallen, corruptible world. We have Jesus. Hallelujah! We have Jesus. And so we shall rejoice in You always. Amen.

Sunday, 19 February 2017

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Philippians 4:3

Speaking of Euodia and Syntyche of the previous verse, Paul now implores some unidentified person, here translated as “true companion,” to intercede. The word is suzugos, and it is only found here in the Bible. It indicates a “yoke-fellow,” or a “colleague.” It is wholly unknown who it is. There are several interesting speculations.

One is that it is Epaphroditus who is being sent back with the letter. It could also be Luke who was closely associated with the church at Philippi. Other names have been suggested as well. However, the word could be used as a proper name. If the name means “Yoke Fellow,” then his name could form the same type of play on words that Onesimus does in the book of Philemon. If a proper name, it could be his given name, or a nickname which was bestowed upon him by Paul and by which he had become known. In the end, it is all speculation, and the truth is lost to history.

Whoever this yoke-fellow is, he is now asked to “help these women.” Again, it is speaking of Euodia and Syntyche. In the past, Paul notes that they “labored with me in the gospel.” They may have helped him financially as the women did who were with Jesus as is seen in Luke 8:3. The word used to describe their labors is found only here and in Philippians 1:27. It means “to strive together.” Whatever their labors were, it was of great help to Paul, so great that he put their efforts on an equal standing with his.

He then notes, “with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers.” He has placed these two women in a high position of note along with all of the others who labored with him. Clement is speculated by some to be Clement, bishop of Rome. This goes all the way back to the time of Origen. Others dismiss this as unlikely. However, he is singled out by name here as being a great help to Paul, and acknowledged as such.

He finishes with noting that these women, along with the others he refers to, have their names “in the Book of Life.” This is not to be taken as a literal book which is in heaven, and which pen and ink are applied to. Rather it is a state in which these people stood, metaphorically identified as a book of remembrance before the Lord. This Book of Life would compare to the saying of Philippians 3:20 which notes those whose citizenship is in heaven. They have come under the blood of Christ, and they are sealed with the Spirit of God. Thus they are in the Book of Life before the Lord. In Revelation 3:5, Jesus says the following about such people –

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

To “overcome” is to be saved by the blood of Christ. Such salvation is therefore a complete guarantee of entry into heaven for the redeemed.

Life application: Paul’s interest in the affairs of these women indicates his strong desire for there to be harmony and peace between believers. Although this is at times very, very difficult, it is what is asked of us. When strife arises, those around who are aware of it should do their best to assist in the process of reconciliation.

Heavenly Father, it sure can be difficult to get along with other faithful believers. There are varying viewpoints on many fine points of doctrine which often result in more than a little bitterness. We are quick to divide the fellowship over these things, but your words puts a stress on loving the brotherhood. And so help us to do our very best at this. And give us grace to overlook those things which we are able to overlook. With this, You are surely pleased. Amen.