Philippians, Chapter 4
© copyright 1997 Darroll Evans, all rights
reserved
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren
dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my
dearly beloved.
Paul "longed for" the Philippians.
How do you feel toward other Christians?
Do you have great affection toward other
Christians?
John 13:35---“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.”
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that
they be of the same mind in the Lord.
These two women, Euodias
and Syntyche, are somewhat misunderstood. It is true
that they had a spat or disagreement, but the space spent dealing with their
situation is very limited.
As we will see, these two were very dedicated
workers for the gospel.
Their disagreement was not on the order of
Paul and Barnabas who split up their evangelistic team due to their
disagreement over Mark.
Their inclusion in this letter was to ask
that they come into agreement.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat
thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured
with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers,
whose names are in the book of life.
In the midst of this letter to the
Philippians, we find a personal note to another Christian. It is my belief that
the note was written to Epaphroditus.
Yokefellow (Gr. suzuge-suzuge) is a Greek masculine singular meaning an associate.
Neither of the women qualified for that word.
Both Euodias and Syntyche had worked with the leaders of Christianity,
namely Paul and Clement.
Their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of
Life.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice
in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
This simple request may not be what it
appears to be in English.
First and foremost, this is not a request.
It is and order!
The Greek word is a plural imperative.
Paul is telling us, "You all must
rejoice, and in case you did not get it, let me repeat myself!"
A Church member who does not live in an
attitude of praise and rejoicing has no understanding of Christianity.
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be
known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
We are to let our "moderation",
gentleness and patience be known to all people.
The reason for that request is that the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is near.
Christians are not called upon to be gentle
and patient in all circumstances.
Romans
12:18---“If it be possible, as much
as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
With some, it is not possible.
We cannot live in peace with those that
continually sin.
On four occasions, Jesus told those he was
addressing that they were a “generation of vipers.”
I don’t think he said it to make friends.
Philippians 4:6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
"Be careful for
nothing" simply means don’t be anxious.
Anxiety is not God’s work in you.
2 Timothy 1:7--- “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Philippians 4:7 And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This verse speaks of the peace of the
Father.
His Son is now our peace.
Most of humanity cannot understand God’s
peace, because they do not acknowledge God’s Son!
And, some that say they do really don’t!
God’s peace is based entirely on
acknowledgment of Christ Jesus as Lord.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Finally, the final
"finally!"
Do you know that it is mentally impossible to
focus on two things at the same time?
If your mind is always focused on
disaster---it is impossible to focus on victory.
Where is your focus?
Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye
have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you.
Look at this verse.
The thought is not new.
John 5:19---“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever
he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
The Son sees the Father and does what He sees.
He imitates the Father.
Paul saw, in the Spirit, what Christ did and
he did it.
Our physical example of grace in action is
found in Paul’s life.
Christianity is a "working"
relationship!
As we do the works God has set before us,
"the God of peace shall be
with" us.
In this verse, "shall be" is
emphatic in both English and Greek!
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Paul returns to his gratitude for the gifts
of the Philippians.
They gave offerings when they had the
offerings to give.
Paul made no attempt to pressure them or
coerce them.
Let me take a short side trip.
Do you realize that evangelism is not
salesmanship?
There is no way you can cajole another person
into the
Oh, you can get them into a Church, but not
the Kingdom.
That is the exclusive territory of the Holy
Spirit!
He is the one that convinces and convicts.
We just say a few words.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in
respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.
Paul was content with what he
had---regardless of how much or how little it was.
Have you learned that lesson?
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be
abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Paul was intimate with wealth and poverty.
Motive mattered little to Paul, as long as
the gospel was being preached.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul did not say that by his efforts, he
could do all things.
He said that "through Christ"
working within him he could do all things.
How can that be?
Philippians 2:13---“For it is God which worketh
in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Jesus said,
"With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26b).
Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding
ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
“Communicate” indicates sharing.
The Philippians helped him.
Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
No Church supported the gospel of grace in
the same manner as the
Today, we own much to their support of Paul
and his roving band of evangelists.
No other Apostle did so much to bring the
gospel of grace to the world, as did Paul.
The Apostles were appointed to various duties.
The Jews had many Apostles.
The Gentiles had one.
Philippians 4:16 For
even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
It is evident that the Philippians supported
Paul on many occasions.
Philippians 4:17 Not
because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Supporting ministry is part of Christianity.
Giving is listed among the various gifts of
the Spirit.
Romans 12:8---“Or he that exhorteth, on
exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and
abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent
from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
In the midst of Paul’s thanks to the
Philippians, we Again meet Epaphroditus.
A strong work ethic is valuable among those
who serve the cause of Christ.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply
all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God shall supply our needs, our necessities
according to His riches---not ours.
We are living in Christ’s great victory.
"Shall supply" is a Greek future
indicative. Greek future indicatives indicate what the author
feels shall come to pass.
The Author is the Holy Spirit.
The writer/scribe is Paul.
FYI—in comparing the KJV with the NKJV,
whenever the KJV uses "shall", but the NKJV uses "will",
odds are the tense is indicative.
Philippians 4:20-23
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which
are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
Re: Verse 20 “For ever” does not refer to eternity.
"For ever and ever" (Gr. eis tous aioonas
toon aioonoon-eiV tous aiwnaV twn aiwnwn) should be translated
"for/to/into the ages of the ages."
It is not translated correctly due to tradition,
and fear of the truth.
If the incorrect "eternity"
translation is used for aion, this passage and others would be translated
"for the eternities of the eternities."
That would highlight the misconceptions that
infect most translations.
To my knowledge, the Concordant Literal and
J. P. Green’s Interlinear are the only translations that follow the Greek text.
The Concordant uses "eon" instead
of "age," and that translation is accurate.
In most popular translations, aion and its
variations are almost always mistranslated.
Paul’s benedictions are beautiful!
This benediction indicates that Christianity
had grown to include those who were among Nero’s servants.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Modern English, "The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ IS
with you all. Amen."