Philippians 4 — Rejoice Always in the Lord
Introduction: When Paul thanked the Philippians for the gift they sent with Epaphroditus, he used that opportunity to explain how the Lord had taught him to be content regardless of whether he was in comfort or in need. As Paul began to close this letter, he mentioned several of the Philippian believers by name, along with encouragement especially intended for them. He once again emphasized the importance of rejoicing, and he gave some very specific goals for training the mind and the heart to rejoice in grace and peace, knowing that the Lord’s return for them is always imminent.
NOTE: All scripture passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Stand Firm in the Lord
Philippians 4 “1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they laboured with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Comments: Paul saw those who had received his message of salvation in Christ as his crown — the only crown truly to be sought by Christians. James 1:12 promises: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.” Paul wrote to Euodia and Syntyche to strongly encourage them to continue to stand strong in the Lord and to be like-minded. He also appealed to one he called a true yokefellow to help those women, because they had laboured with him in the gospel along with Clement and his other fellow workers — telling them that their names are in the book of life (Exodus 32:32–33; Revelation 2:9–10; Revelation 3:1–5). Christians need to continually return to the Word of God to be strengthened and reminded of the reasons we can rejoice in the Lord always, while showing gentleness to those around us. The Lord’s return is always to be considered as imminent.
B — Seek the Peace of God
Philippians 4 “6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, 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 any praise, think about these things. 9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Comments: Paul advised the believers to not allow themselves to be in distress through worrying about anticipated difficulties or circumstances. The alternative he offered is to pray and make requests to God, always with a spirit of thanksgiving. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will then guard the heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Paul added to that advice a practice that will make each Christian better prepared for what is unforeseen: continually think about whatever things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, having any virtue, and that which is praiseworthy. Paul then asked the believers to follow his example by doing the things they had learned, received, heard, and saw in him, and the God of peace would be with them. He had written similarly to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:23), to the Romans (Romans 15:33; 16:20), and the author of Hebrews addressed the same theme in Hebrews 13:20–21.
C — I Can Do All Things in Christ Who Strengthens Me
Philippians 4 “10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction… 18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Comments: Paul said he was rejoicing in the Lord because the Philippians had sent provisions to him. He commended them for their gift, but wanted them to know he was not drawing attention to anything he lacked — the Lord had taught him how to be content whether humbled in want or abounding in plenty. The way Paul stated that principal from his life should not be casually applied: in the best or worst of circumstances he had learned that the secret was “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” He remembered they alone had sent to him more than once when he had been in Thessalonica. The things Epaphroditus brought represented a sweet-smelling fragrance as an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. Paul said God would supply all of their needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
D — May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ Be with You
Philippians 4 “20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Comments: What a wonderful thing it is to say as a redeemed one that all glory should be given forever and ever to the one who is our God, and also our Father! Paul encouraged the Philippian believers to give greetings to every saint in Christ Jesus, and he included greetings from all the believers at Rome — and especially from those who were part of Caesar’s household. How wonderful that even though Paul was being held as a prisoner, the gospel had reached into the midst of the emperor’s household. Certainly God’s grace was being evidenced in Rome. Acts 15:7–11 records Peter at the Jerusalem council affirming that “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are” — and Paul’s closing here echoes his own close of 2 Corinthians 13:14. So it was very fitting to close the letter by saying “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I ask that you enable me to be like-minded with other believers, as we work together to stand firm in our belief in the gospel of Christ. I want to continually renew my rejoicing in you, Lord, as I remember that my name is written in the book of life. Since your return is imminent for me as one of those you have saved, I want to act upon Paul’s instruction to let my gentleness be known to all people. Lord, I also want to avoid any pattern of anxiety by showing my trust in you as I pray with petition and thanksgiving to receive the peace that surpasses all understanding, which will guard my heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for those things Paul listed as examples of how we as Christians can keep our thoughts focused on you as our God of peace. I want to be content whether I have luxuries beyond the necessities, or when I experience hard times, as I seek to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. For those who supply me in abundance through the generosity of other Christians, may these actions become a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. I believe that in eternal matters you, my God, will supply every need of mine according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Therefore, my desire is that all glory be to you, my God and Father, forever and ever! Amen.
Published 16 December 2015