Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long {to see,} my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Paul now wants to tell the Philippians how to stand firm in difficult situations.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in {the cause of} the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
It is a sad thing when brothers and sisters in the church fight with each other. The last thing you want in times of distress is personal conflict with those you love and those who love you. Therefore, Paul’s first point is to live in harmony with those around you (in the Lord – that is, without compromising the truth).
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Paul’s next point is a reminder to rejoice.
No matter what happens, Paul reminds us to rejoice. We rejoice because we know that God causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him, and since we love Him (yes, it is important to make sure that you love God) the promises God has made to those who love Him apply to us. This is what it means to rejoice ‘in the Lord’.
5 Let your gentle {spirit} be known to all men. The Lord is near.
People who are not rejoicing tend to spread their lack of joy to others. In particular, they try to force their way on those who are in their power. Upset parents try to dominate their children, and the children rebel. Upset bosses make their subordinates do unnecessary things. In times of distress, if you don’t want to compound your problems, maintain a joyful attitude. Then you will deal gently with others, even when they mess up.
If you remember that the Lord is not far away from you at any time, instead of being anxious, you will be more inclined to seek Him in prayer when you are in distress.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When things are not going the way you want them to go, there is a temptation to become anxious. How do we handle such anxiety? By prayer and supplication. Prayer is a general conversation with God; supplication is making a specific request to God. Having a spirit of thankfulness for past provision, and asking God to provide for you in the current situation will calm your anxieties and guard your heart and mind so that you don’t do something stupid in a difficult situation and compound things for yourself.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
When things are not going the way you want them to go, all kinds of negative thoughts enter your mind. You get tempted to grumble, complain, find fault, doubt God’s love for you; you feel like taking your own life; you feel like fighting with others, and so on.
You have to recognize that such temptations will come, and you have to be prepared for them.
How do we prepare? By focusing our minds to think of things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and of good repute and worthy of praise.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul followed Jesus without any compromise. Therefore, he could tell everyone to follow him as he followed Christ.
Can you say that to those who are around you?
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned {before,} but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share {with me} in my affliction.
Paul did a lot of ministry. He didn’t ask or depend on any human being for money to finance his ministry. Unlike today’s missionaries who go around to churches and friends raising money for their missionary travels, Paul financed himself.
Paul was a servant of God, and therefore, if he had any financial needs, he made them known to God.
You can tell whether a preacher or pastor or missionary is a servant of God or a servant of man. How? By observing who he or she asks for money to finance their ministry. If my son wanted money for a project I asked him to do, would he ask you for money? Certainly not! He would ask me. In the same way, if I’m doing something for God, I will make my financial needs known to God, not to you.
Some ministers ask for money outright. Others are a bit indirect, or even devious, in how they let you know that you must ‘pay up’. In either case, if they are asking you for money for their ministry, they are not doing things the way Jesus or Paul did. Paul never asked for money for his own needs, or his own ministry. When Paul asked for money, it was only to help the poor Christians elsewhere.
Since Paul depended on God, God used Paul’s time in ministry to teach him how to live with little money and how to live with a lot of money.
In addition, Paul learned the secret of tapping on God’s power to strengthen him to do anything.
However, if anyone gave Paul a financial gift, Paul gratefully accepted it, knowing that God was providing for his need through those people.
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
16 for even in Thessalonica you sent {a gift} more than once for my needs.
Paul never made his needs known to anyone. The Philippians gave Paul financial gifts more than once. He accepted each one, but he never asked them for money.
17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Even in receiving the gift, Paul didn’t receive it with his own personal benefit in mind, but was happy that God would bless the Philippians because of their generosity.
20 Now to our God and Father {be} the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Whether giving or receiving, Paul’s motive was always the same – he wanted to bring glory to God. We should be like that too.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren 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.
With final greetings, Paul closes his letter to the Philippians.
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