Chapter Four
Stand Firm and Rejoice in Confidence!
4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Referring to the content written to this point, Paul calls the believers in Philippi, whom he loves and longs for, and who he calls his joy and crown (a victor’s crown given to those who are winners in athletic events), to therefore stand firm in the Lord. Paul used the Greek stēkō, meaning “to stand firm,” seven times in his epistles (see also Romans 14:4; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15), including twice in this epistle (see Philippians 1:27). It means to stand confidently in faith, and then to remain standing. Paul notes that we are to stand firm in the Lord. How do we stand in Jesus? By getting to know Him through His Word and making Him a priority in our lives, just as Paul has been teaching.
4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Paul asks Euodia and Syntyche to settle their disputes and agree in the Lord. He then turns back to the believers in Philippi and asks them to help these two women as they had labored with Paul and other workers whose names are in the Book of Life. Paul desired harmony within the church fellowship. One of Satan’s tactics to disrupt and eventually render ineffective churches, is to cause division from within the church (Paul wrote extensively regarding church divisions in his first epistle to the church in Corinth).
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
This is perhaps one of the more popular verses in the Bible, it is this verse that addresses the need for all believers to have joy. Not necessarily as a ‘feeling’ of joy, but as a deep-rooted confidence in God, that regardless of situation or circumstance, He is in control. Having joy in God goes beyond any temporary emotion. Paul repeats the Greek imperative verb chairete to emphasize that in order to stand firm in Jesus is to see beyond any current wickedness, sorrow, misery, disappointment, discouragement, problem, etc. and remember the One who is immovable, that being Jesus.
4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
The Greek word epieikes, translated here as ‘reasonableness’ has several meanings and as such is widely translated between Bible versions. It conveys the concept of being gracious, forbearing, gentile, someone who would not speak evil of anyone, nor be quarrelsome. Paul says the Lord is at hand (Greek engys, near, close), this is not a reference to Jesus’ return, he is saying that Jesus is there and ready to help which leads to the next point about anxiety.
4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
The feeling of anxiety comes naturally to human beings, when we encounter problems, face trials, or for some reason find ourselves in a panic, our anxiety increases automatically. Paul noted in verse five that Jesus is near and therefore we should not be anxious about anything. Sadly, believers can lose confidence in Jesus and become anxious. So what should we do in those circumstances? Paul says we are to pray, the sooner the better! In that prayer we are to make known our needs (the Greek word translated as supplication is deēsei, to ask with urgency) and then offer thanks for not only listening and hearing your prayer, but for all God has done. We must pray with the expectation of God answering, but we also need to understand that He might answer those prayers in a different way than what we expect or asked for. His ways are always better, even if we don’t see it at that time. Paul emphasizes the need to let your requests be made known to God. Some argue, but God already knows what I need so why pray? It is true that He does know, but He desires for us to come to Him in prayer (see Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 11:5-9; 18:1). When we are in prayer our thoughts are on Him and not our problems.
4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul tells us that we can experience the peace of God, which is more than an idea, or a concept, it is very real. But we have no understanding of how it works or why it works, it just happens. Our hearts and minds are brought to peace, settled, knowing that God is in control. God supernaturally calms our hearts! While we can ask Him to remove the pain, circumstance, or problem from our lives, that may not be His answer. Pastor John MacArthur offers this explanation:
The real challenge of the Christian life is not to eliminate every unpleasant circumstance; it is to trust in the good purpose of our infinite, holy, sovereign, powerful God in every difficulty. Those who honor Him by trusting Him will experience the blessings of His perfect peace.[1]
This supernatural peace will guard our hearts, keeping the situation from churning our emotions that would otherwise compromise our health. Paul also added that the peace of God will guard our minds, preventing the mind from constantly thinking or worrying about the situation. If we begin to worry, it’s time to go back to prayer!
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Instead of focusing on our troubles, maladies, or situation, Paul tells us that we should instead think about what is honorable (Greek semna, pertaining to appropriate befitting behavior, perhaps even awe inspiring), whatever is just (Greek dikaia, righteous, pertaining to right, being fully justified), whatever is pure (Greek hagna, without moral defect, innocent, blameless), whatever is lovely (Greek prosphilē, beloved, pertaining to anything that causes people to be pleased about something), whatever is commendable (Greek euphēma, to praise, worthy of praise, of good report), if there is any excellence (Greek aretē, superiority, pleasing to God, moral excellence), if there is anything worthy of praise (Greek epainos, commendation, truly praiseworthy), we should think about them. Nothing comes to mind? Then think of Jesus!
4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul once again suggests using himself as a role model (see Philippians 3:17). They have observed how he does things, how he interacts with others, and saw first hand his compassion for others. He recommends that they try to emulate his overall behavior. At which time the God of peace will be with them.
Considerations
Rejoice in the Lord Revisited
Paul repeatedly used the phrase “in the Lord, “in Christ Jesus,” or similar wording, in this epistle (see Philippians 1:1, 14, 26, 27, 29; 2:1, 5, 19, 24, 29; 3:1, 3, 9, 10, 14; 4:1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 19, 21). Earlier we discussed how being “in Christ” relates to our relationship with Him and how we should rejoice in that relationship. Here Paul once again not only tells us to rejoice in the Lord, but repeats it to emphasize our need to “keep the main thing in life the main thing!” A.W. Tozer wrote:
What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God. Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man[2]
Paul is reminding us to rejoice in being in the most important place in life, that being in Christ! If we believe He can’t help us or is in any way limited, we have nothing to rejoice in. But if we believe Jesus is Almighty and desires for us to trust Him, in everything, then we should rejoice always!
Understanding God’s Provision
4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
It is believed that it had been ten years since Paul and Silas planted the church in Philippi. During much of that time they aided and supported Paul in his ministry (see Acts 17:1-18:18). Apparently at one point they were unable to support him (reason not given), but now they were able to continue in that support with a generous gift that was delivered to him by Epaphroditus (see Philippians 2:25; 4:18). He notes that they were always concerned about his well-being but was for a while unable to help.
4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
These verses are also popular among believers, the first part speaks about how Paul could adapt to any circumstance God has brought him in. He had learned that regardless of being brought low and have little, or had an abundance, he was satisfied. And secondly, he could do whatever he had to do because he relied on Jesus’ strength to get him through all circumstances. Is this a blanket statement that through God someone can do anything they want? No, as Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, ESV, see also 1 Corinthians 10:23) A believer can do all things if it is God’s will for them.
4:14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
Paul acknowledges their kindness in willing to help him. He further acknowledges them by saying they were the only ones that gave him financial help when he first brought the gospel message to them and others. They gave to him even when he was in Thessalonica and again after that when he was in need. He notes that he is not saying these things because he desires for them to give him something, but for what fruit that may abound in their (heavenly) account for their kindness. Paul tells them that he has received full payment and more, and that he is well supplied, due to receiving the gift from Epaphroditus that they sent. Paul calls their gift a fragrant offering, a sacrifice not only acceptable to God but also pleasing to Him (see below).
4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul concludes the content of this epistle with a promise and a doxology. He notes that God will supply every need they might have. The phrase “according to His riches,“ refers to God’s never ending supply (for example if a millionaire promised to give money versus someone who was broke, the millionaire could pay while the broke person could not, so with God being without limit, He can meet any need). In glory that belongs in Christ Jesus! All glory to God our Father forever and ever, Amen (and so it will be).
Considerations
A Fragrant Offering
Pleasant aromas are often referred to in connection with special sacrifices in the Old Testament (see Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18, 25, 41; Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; Ezekiel 16:19; 20:41). Paul used the metaphor of pleasant aromas to describe something that was particularly pleasing to God (see 2 Corinthians 2:15; Ephesians 5:2).
Final Greetings
4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul asks them to greet every believer in Christ Jesus. The fellow believers with Paul send their greetings, especially from those who were of Caesar’s household. We don’t know of any connection to those employed by, or family members of, Caesar that became believers, but since Paul put special emphasis on this, that there was likely more than one that accepted Jesus as their Savior. He closes with a blessing of the grace of Lord Jesus Christ to be with their spirit.
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[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2001). Philippians (p. 284). Moody Press.
[2] AW Tozer. A. W. Tozer: Three Spiritual Classics in One Volume: The Knowledge of the Holy, The Pursuit of God, and God's Pursuit of Man (p. 1). (Function). Kindle Edition.