Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
PHILIPPIANS 4
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Application Notes
4:1 How do we "stand firm in the lord"? This refers to what Paul has just taught in 3:20-21. We stand firm by keeping our eyes on Christ, remembering that this world is not our home. and focusing on the day when Christ will bring everything under his control. Standing firm means steadfastly resisting the negative influences of temptation, false teaching, and persecution. It requires perseverance, holding firm when we are challenged or opposed (see 1:27-28). Don't lose heart or give up. God promises to give us strength of character. With the Holy Spirit's help and with the help of fellow believers, you can stand firm in the Lord.
4:2-3 Paul did not warn the Philippian church of doctrinal errors, but he did address some relational problems. These two women had been workers for Christ in the church. Their broken relationship was no small matter. because many had become believers through their efforts. It is possible to believe in Christ. work hard for his kingdom, and yet have broken relationships with others who are committed to the same cause. But we have no excuse for remaining unreconciled. Do you need to be reconciled to someone today? If you're facing a conflict you can't resolve, don't let the tension build into an explosion. Don't withdraw or resort to cruel power plays. Don't stand idly by and wait for the dispute to resolve itself. Instead. seek the help of those known for peacemaking.
4:3 The identity of this ·true companion· remains a mystery. It could be Epaphroditus, the bearer of this letter, or a comrade of Paul's in prison. It could also be someone named Syzygus, the Greek word for "companion." Paul mentions this person specifically in their role as a peacemaker.
4:3 Those "whose names are in the book of life" are all who are marked for salvation through their faith in Christ (also see Luke 10:17-20; Revelation 20:11-15).
4:4-5 Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ will come again, and at his second coming we will fully realise this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfil his final purposes for us.
4:4 How strange that a man in prison could tell a church to rejoice. But Paul's attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our outward circumstances do not need to dictate our inner attitudes. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter, Paul urges the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven't been joyful lately, let the Holy Spirit remind you that true joy is found in the Lord and the promise of his second coming.
4:5 We are to be gentle (reasonable, fair-minded, and charitable) to those outside the church, not just to fellow believers. This means we are not to seek revenge against those who treat us unfairly, nor are we to be overly vocal or demanding about our personal rights.
4:6-7 Imagine never being anxious about anything! That may seem impossible; everyone has worries on the job, at home, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray. Also, take time to listen to what God has to say to you, and thank him for all the good work he has done--in your life, in your church, in your community, and in the world.
4:7 God's peace is different from the world's peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from trusting God to work everything out in a way that is best for you as you fulfil your role in God's work in the world. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against the anxieties of this world that try to bring you down and keep your focus off Jesus. When we trust God, he gives us a peaceful perspective in a traffic jam, on a difficult phone call, in a troubled relationship, and even when death draws near.
4:8 What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words, desires, and actions. Paul tells us to train our minds to focus on thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through movies, the Internet, books, conversations, television, video games, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you fill your mind with good and pure thoughts. This takes practice, but it can be done.
4:9 It's not enough to hear or read the Word of God or even to know it well. We must also put what God is teaching us into practice. How easy it is to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said. How easy it is to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. How easy it is to debate what a passage means and not live out that meaning. Exposure to God's Word is not enough. It must lead to obedience.
4:10-14 Are you content in any circumstances you face? Paul knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ's power for strength. Do you have great needs, or are you discontent because you don't have what you want? Learn to rely on God's promises and Christ's power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. Thank him each day for all the blessings you do have. He will meet all your needs, but in a way that he knows is best for you. (For more on how God meets our needs, see the note on 4:19.)
4:10 In 1 Corinthians 9:11-18, Paul wrote that he didn't accept gifts from the Corinthian church because he didn't want to be accused of preaching only to get money. But Paul maintained that a church has the responsibility to support God's ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14). He accepted the Philippians' gift because they gave it willingly and because he was in need.
4:12-13 Paul was content because he could see life from God's point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessential so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often, the desire for something more or better indicates a longing to fill an empty place in a person's life. To what are you drawn when you feel empty inside? How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities. and your source of power.
4:13 Can we really do all things? We receive all the power we need in union with Christ when we do his will and face the challenges that arise from our doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to his interests. As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. What does God want you to do? Step out in faith and do it, trusting him for the strength you will need.
4:14 The Philippians shared in Paul's financial support while he was in prison. They provided the means for him to get food and likely the materials he needed to write his letters.
4:15 What makes money so magnetic and giving it away often so stressful? Money insures we can get what we need. It gives us stature and represents our day-to-day security. Giving money away puts our work and our futures at risk. Not every charity deserves your attention, and you're wise to scrutinise missionary appeals as well. But once you've determined that a project honours the Lord, don't hold back--give generously and joyfully. Like the Philippians, you'll be establishing an eternal partnership.
4:17 When we give to those in need, it not only benefits the recipients but benefits us as well. It was not the Philippians' gift but their spirit of love and devotion that Paul appreciated most.
4:18 Paul was not referring to a sin offering but to a thank offering, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Leviticus 7:12-15 contains the instructions for such offerings of thanksgiving). Although the Greek and Roman Christians were not Jews and had not offered sacrifices according to the Old Testament laws, they were well acquainted with the pagan rituals of offering sacrifices.
4:19 We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we actually need on earth he will always supply, even if, like Paul, it is the courage to face death. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort and pain. Y./e may not get all that we want. But by trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.
4:22 There were many Christians in Rome; some were even in Caesar's household. Perhaps Paul, while awaiting trial, was making converts of the Roman civil service! Paul sent greetings from these Roman Christians to the believers at Philippi. The gospel had spread to all strata of society, linking people who had no other bond but Christ. The Roman Christians and the Philippian Christians were brothers and sisters because of their unity in Christ. Believers today are also linked to others across cultural, economic, and social barriers. Because all believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, let us live like God's true family.
4:23 In many ways, the Philippian church was a model congregation. It was made up of many different kinds of people who were learning to work together. But Paul recognised that problems could arise, so in his thank-you letter he prepared the Philippians for difficulties that could crop up within a body of believers. Although a prisoner in Rome, Paul had learned the true secret of joy and peace-imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ, we will learn unity, humility. joy, and peace. We will also be motivated to live for him, and we will be examples for others to follow. We can do this confidently because we have "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" with us.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)