Philippians 4 1 Therefore my beloved and longedfor

Philippians 4: 1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. Therefore. . . Therefore what or why? 3: 20, 21 § “brethren dearly beloved” § Real love from the man of God to the church that he established in the city of Philippi. (I Cor 15: 58, I Thes 1: 4) § And all of this brothers is Because we are to love our brethren (John 13: 34 -35, Rom 12: 10). “Beloved” is a term our Father used with Jesus (Mat 3: 17). § Longing for brethren (Rom 1: 9 -13). § They being Paul’s joy and crown (I Thes 2: 18 -20). § The way Paul is treating or calling the Philippians is sweet and lovely, false teachers cannot talk like that because they are false. § False teachers only care about themselves (Romans 16: 17 -18 and II Peter 2: 1 -3). § Stand fast in the Lord (I Cor 16: 13, Phil 1: 27, Heb 10: 23).

Philippians 4: 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. I implore. The Gr. term means “to urge, ” or “to appeal. ” Euodia…Syntyche. These two women were prominent church members (v. 3), who may have been among the women meeting for prayer when Paul first preached the gospel in Philippi (Acts 16: 13). Apparently, they were leading two opposing factions in the church, most likely over a personal conflict. the same mind. Another possible translation is “harmony”. Spiritual stability depends on the mutual love, harmony, and peace between believers. Apparently the disunity in the Philippian church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony.

Philippians 4: 3 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. companion. Who was the true companion? The text does not say, maybe Silas who work with Paul in Philippi? Acts 16: 19 -24. Companion from the Greek σύζυγος syzygos many believe that this is a proper name. The Gr. word pictures two oxen in a yoke, pulling the same load. A companion is a partner or an equal in a specific endeavor—in this case a spiritual one. He was likely one of the church elders (1: 1). with Clement. Nothing is known of him. Book of Life. In eternity past, God registered all the names of His elect in that book which identifies those inheritors of eternal life (Rev. 3: 5; Exodus 32: 32; Mal. 3: 16; Rev 20: 12).

Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Rejoice be glad, be overjoyed, celebrate, delight, enjoy, feel happy, glory, joy (Philippians 3: 1) always in the Lord (Mat 5: 10 -12, Acts 8: 35 -39; Phil 4: 10) It should be apparent by looking at the Scriptures we just studied that always rejoicing refers to a mindset of joy, even in the worst of situations. Brothers and sisters, Paul says, REJOICE in the Lord always… really? For discussion. qwhat would it mean if someone pretended to be joyous, when they really aren’t, just to appear to be obeying points like this one? q. Or Would that person be honest (Romans 12: 17, I Thessalonians 4: 12) q. Or If that person thought rejoicing always meant to never have any other feelings, do they properly understand the point (II Peter 3: 15 -18)?

Philippians 4: 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Let your gentleness. § This refers to contentment with and generosity toward others. § It can also refer to mercy or leniency toward the faults and failures of others. § It can even refer to patience in someone who submits to injustice or mistreatment without retaliating. § Graciousness with humility encompasses all the above. The Lord is at hand. § Can refer to nearness in space or time. § The context suggests nearness in space: the Lord encompasses all believers with His presence (Ps. 119: 151; Jeremiah 23: 23; Prov 5: 21, Prov 15: 3, Jer

Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Paul exhorts the Philippians to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying over them. Be anxious for nothing: v Anxiety is starts in the mind of a person. v A Christian is supposed to be someone who has a focused mind (Proverbs 16: 3, Isaiah 55: 6 -9, Colossians 3: 1 -2). v Be careful [anxious; troubled with cares] many times can destroy the christian life if we don’t know how to balance everything in life!

Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; for nothing ü Is Paul saying absolutely for nothing or is there a little room for us to be anxious? ü (Psalms 127: 1 -2, Prov 12: 25, Prov 15: 13, Prov 17: 22, Luke 10: 38 -42, John 14: 1, I Peter 5: 6 -7). ü If I believe in God and I am doing my part in life, I won’t worry about carnal things (Matthew 6: 24 -34). ü Those kind of cares kill the word of God (Mark 4: 19). ü If I believe in God and I am doing my part in life, I won’t worry about spiritual things either (Heb 10: 23). ü Like David, we should be able to encourage ourselves in the Lord (I Samuel 30: 6). ü This doesn’t mean being absolutely carefree either (II Cor 13: 5, Phil 2: 12, Heb 3: 12 -13).

Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; We are to “pray” (proseuche) Ø = “to offer prayers or vows, to address him in prayer. . . to offer prayers, to worship. . . to pray for a thing” Ø We are to offer “supplication” (deesis) = “an entreating, asking: a prayer, entreaty” Ø These two words; i. e. , pray and supplication, are very similar and illustrate the communication that exists between the saint of God and the Lord. Ø Christians are to make request, regarding the physical and spiritual life, to God who hears and knows all things (Matt. 6: 8; I Pet. 5: 7)

Philippians 4: 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. peace of God. ü What is the peace of GOD? ü How can we know that we have it? ü Can you feel it? ü Inner calm or tranquillity is promised to the believer who has a thankful attitude based on unwavering confidence that God is able and willing to do what is best for His children (cf. Rom. 8: 28). surpasses all understanding. Ø This refers to the divine origin of peace. Ø It transcends human intellect, analysis, and insight (John 16: 33). guard. v A military term meaning “to keep watch over. ” v God’s peace guards believers from anxiety, doubt, fear, and distress. hearts…minds. Paul was not making a distinction between the two—he was giving a comprehensive statement referring to the whole inner person.

Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthymeditate on these things. true. What is true is found in God (2 Tim. 2: 25), in Christ (Eph. 4: 20, 21), in the Holy Spirit (John 16: 13), and in God’s Word (John 17: 17). noble. The Gr. term means “worthy of respect. ” Believers are to meditate on whatever is worthy of awe and adoration, i. e. , the sacred as opposed to the profane. just. This refers to what is right. The believer is to think in harmony with God’s divine standard of holiness. pure. That which is morally clean and undefiled. lovely. The Gr. term means “pleasing” or “amiable. ” By implication, believers are to focus on whatever is kind or gracious. of good report. That which is highly regarded or thought well of. It refers to what is generally considered reputable, such as kindness, courtesy, and respect for others.

Philippians 4: 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. in me. • The Philippians were to follow the truth of God proclaimed, along with the example of that truth lived by Paul before them (Heb. 13: 7). • Don’t let your past “destroy you”. • What is in the past is already gone and by fruits and good example let’s focus now on heaven. Paul is doing that even though he was persecuting the church! the God of peace. • Rom. 15: 33; cf. 1 Cor. 14: 33. • God is peace (Rom. 16: 20; Eph. 2: 14), • makes peace with sinners through Christ (2 Cor. 5: 18– 20), • And gives perfect peace in trouble (v. 7).

Philippians 4: 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. • at last…you lacked opportunity. • Why is Paul saying that? • I thought the Philippians were sending help over and over…? • About ten years had passed since the Philippians first gave a gift to Paul to help meet his needs when he was first in Thessalonica (vv. 15, 16). • Paul was aware of their desire to continue to help, but he realized, within God’s providence, that they had not had the “opportunity” (season) to help.

Philippians 4: 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: whatever state I am. o Paul defined the circumstances in the following verse. content. o The Gr. term means “to be self -sufficient” or “to be satisfied. ” o It is the same word translated “sufficiency” in 2 Cor. 9: 8. o It indicates independence from any need for help (1

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Philippians 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. abased…abound. § Paul knew how to get along with humble means (food, clothing, daily necessities) and how to live in prosperity (“to overflow”). to be full and to be hungry. § The Gr. word translated “to be full” was used of feeding and fattening animals. § Paul knew how to be content when he had plenty to eat and when he was deprived of enough tothat eat. from one spectrum to the next he continues to be Paul’s point is content. It doesn’t matter if Paul is looked at by others as nothing because of what he is teaching or what he has he is content in times of being “abased. ” The reason Paul can approach life with such a mind is that he is not emotionally attached to the world but rather emotionally, physically, and spiritually attached to Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ü Paul had earlier learned that it is through weaknesses in life that one grows in the strength of Christ ( II Cor. 12: 7 -10). ü When my faith has attained a level that my true and earnest belief is that heaven is my home then I will not be affected by the hardships of this life. ü The more wicked men may afflict me the greater in the strength of Christ I will be because I know that He will save me ( Exodus 1: 12; II Cor. 11: 21 -30). I can do all things. Ø Paul uses a Gr. verb that means “to be strong” or “to have strength” (James 5: 16). Ø He had strength to withstand “all things” (vv. 11, 12), including both difficulty and prosperity in the material world. through Christ who strengthens me. Ø The Gr. word for strengthen means “to put power in. ” Ø Because believers are in Christ (Gal. 2: 20), He infuses them with His strength to sustain them until they receive some provision (Eph. 3: 16–

Philippians 4: 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. v Paul had found himself in many precarious situations in life due to the message he preached. v When the Philippians accepted the teachings of Paul as being the inspired word of God they too subjected themselves to persecution. v Paul commends them for their willingness to “fellowship” (share with Paul) in persecution for the truth’s sake. v The Philippians had been taught that persecution for one’s stand in truth is “granted” to them by God (Phil. 1: 29) and that they must participate therein to “gain Christ and to be found in Him” (Phil. 3: 8 -10). v We are never told specifically what the Philippians were suffering over yet the book lends evidence that they were suffering for their stand in truth as was Paul.

Philippians 4: 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. in the beginning of the gospel. Ø When Paul first preached the gospel in Philippi (Acts 16: 13). when I departed. Ø When Paul first left Philippi approximately 10 years before (Acts 16: 40). Macedonia. Ø In addition to Philippi, Paul also ministered in two other towns in Macedonia: Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17: 1– 14). concerning giving and receiving. Ø Paul used 3 business terms. Ø “Concerning” could be translated “account. ” Ø “Giving and receiving” refer to expenditures and receipts. Ø Paul was a faithful steward of God’s resources and kept careful records of what he received and spent.

Philippians 4: 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. o It was common knowledge among the Philippians that they were the only ones to support Paul while he traveled southward through Thessalonica, Athens, and Achaia (Acts 18: 1). o No wages were received from the Thessalonian brethren (I Thess. 2: 9; II Thess. 3: 8). o Paul did not receive wages from the Corinthian churches while working among them even though he had the right to do so. o Paul said, o 2 Corinthians 11: 8 -9 [8] I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. [9] And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

Philippians 4: 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. the fruit. The Gr. word can be translated “profit. ” abounds to your account. The Philippians were in effect storing up for themselves treasure in heaven (Matt. 6: 20). The gifts they gave to Paul were collecting eternal dividends to their spiritual account (Prov. 11: 24, 25; 19: 17; Luke 6: 38; 2 Cor. 9: 6).

Philippians 4: 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Epaphroditus. Philp 2: 25. a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. In the OT sacrificial system, every sacrifice was to provide a fragrant aroma and be acceptable to God. Only if it was offered with the correct attitude would it be pleasing to Him (Gen. 8: 20, 21; Ex. 29: 18; Lev. 1: 9, 13, 17). The Philippians’ gift was a spiritual sacrifice (cf. Rom. 12: 1; 1 Pet. 2: 5)

Philippians 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. all your need. Paul addressed all the Philippians’ material needs, which had probably been depleted to some extent because of their gracious gift (Prov. 3: 9). according to His riches. God would give increase to the Philippians in proportion to His infinite resources, not just a small amount out of His riches.

Philippians 4: 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. First, God is to be praised as God. Ø He is God, the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the universe. God has made all, and He rules and governs all. Ø He is the only wise God who dwells in majesty and glory, dominion and power (Jude 24 -25). Ø He is the only One who possesses the bottomless depth of wisdom and knowledge, who possesses all the riches of wisdom and knowledge. Ø He is the One who has a mind that no man can know and who has such wisdom that no man can be a counselor to Him: “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Ro. 11: 36). Ø He is the only One who reigns and is clothed with majesty and strength, whose very voice is the embodiment of power and of creation. Ø Before Him are both honor and majesty (Ps. 29: 4; 93: 1; 96: 6) Ø He is the only One whose glory is like a devouring fire (Ex. 24: 17). Ø He is the One whose glory is declared by the heavens, and whose handiwork is shown by the firmament (Ps. 19: 1).

Philippians 4: 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. every saint. 1: 1. Instead of using the collective “all, ” Paul used the individualistic “every” to declare that each saint was worthy of his concern. brethren who are with me. They certainly included Timothy and Epaphroditus (2: 19, 25). Others who were preaching the gospel in Rome were present (1: 14). It is possible that Tychicus, Aristarchus, Onesimus, and

Philippians 4: 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household. Caesar’s household. A significant number of people, not limited to Caesar’s family, which would include, princes, judges, cooks, food-tasters, musicians, custodians, builders, stablemen, soldiers, accountants. Within that large group, Paul had in mind those who, through the proclamation of the gospel by members of the church at Rome, had been saved prior to his coming. Newly added to their number were those led to Christ by Paul himself,

Philippians 4: 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. o Paul’s great desire for the Philippians is that they would be recipients of God’s gracious gift of eternal salvation. o God’s gracious gift of salvation begins with the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1: 7), received through the act of baptism (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16), and maintained through humility of heart and faithful living (Isa. 57: 15; Acts 8: 22; I Jn. 1: 9; Rev. 2: 10).