Chapter 4: verses 2 – 23
We conclude our journey through the
book of Philippians by taking a look at Paul’s final comments. We
have seen in past sessions how much joy Paul took in the church at
Philippi and how thankful he was at their participation with him in
the work of the Kingdom.
He describes them as ‘saints’. He
encourages them to keep running a good race. He lays before them the
example of the servant lifestyle of Jesus as their ultimate aim. He
encourages them to rejoice, even when things weren’t going so well,
to carry within themselves a positive attitude that transformed even
the darkest situations.
But as we will immediately see, just
because they were a congregation of faithful believers founded by an
apostle and who seemingly were growing and thriving, not all was well
amongt the saints of God. Indeed a few of them seemed to have had
‘issues’. Can you believe that? A perfect church where people
didn’t always get along? (O.K. I’m being sarcastic!) Let us read
verses 2 and 3.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the
Lord
Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for
they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together
with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the
book of life.
It appears that Euodia and Syntyche are
a couple of church ladies who have butted heads. We don’t know what
the problem is, other than that it is serious enough to warrant Paul
mentioning it in a letter that is otherwise upbeat, and encouraging.
Paul has a good deal of affection for
these lady leaders and acknowledges them as being those who helped
him in his work, and who have their names written in ‘the book of
life’. Saints they still were. The community is given the task of
helping them work through their problem. He doesn’t ask anybody to
take sides, or decide who is right… only that they are given the
help they need to resolve their differences.
William Barclay makes the observation
that it is rather sad that the only thing we know about these ladies
is that they quarreled. That was surely not their desired epitaph.
They may have both been wonderful workers in their church. But all we
now recall is that they argued. He challenges us with the sobering
task of considering what folk may remember about ourselves once we
are gone.
Thankfully that is not where Paul
leaves us. As he has done throughout the letter he instead urges us
to embrace thanksgiving and joyful obedience towards God. Verses 4
through 7.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul continues to remind his readers to
‘rejoice’ in the Lord. Remarkable words when we remember where he
was and how uncertain the future he may be facing could be! He then
speaks about some positive attitudes to adopt, habits that rightly
practiced can enrich our daily lives. In these suggestions he
appears to reflect Jesus teaching in the gospels about such themes as
‘Do unto others’, the Kingdom being ‘near’ and to not worry
about our lives but rather trust God in prayerful and practical ways.
He writes, “Let your gentleness
be known to everyone”. The word here translated
‘gentleness’ is the Greek Word ‘epieikeia’, one of the most
untranslatable of all Greek words (as a browse through differing
translations reveals.) Amongst the options suggested are
‘moderation’, ‘patience’, ‘softness’, ‘modesty’,
'magnanimity’ and ‘forbearance.’ For myself the Message Bible
captures it best: “Make
it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side,
working with them and not against them.”
If people feel like we’re on their
side they are more ready to listen to what we have to say. And that
takes gentleness, patience, forbearance, moderation; all those things
the different translations suggest ‘epieikeia’ may mean. In the
gospels Jesus invites us to deal with others in the same sort of way
we would like them to deal with us. ("In everything do to
others as you would have them do to you; (Mat7:12NRS).
This is a similar injunction.
Paul invites us to remember that the
“Lord is Near’. Our incentive for treating
others well is that God never fails to treat us well! God is always
with us. Always close by, if we can but apprehend God’s presence.
In Matthews gospel, the first time the disciples are sent out into
the world, they are told to “Proclaim the good news; 'The
kingdom of heaven has come near.' (Mat10:7NRS). So we are
encouraged to believe that God is not watching us from a distance,
but close by, walking with us and guiding our steps.
Knowing God is with us leads to Paul’s
next observation. ‘Do not worry about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God.’ The first part of
this verse reflects Jesus teaching “Do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.” (Mat6:34NRS). The
second part His teaching about prayer "Ask, and it will be
given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be
opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives, and
everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door
will be opened. (Mat7:7-8NRS).
Paul stresses that we can take
everything to God in prayer. An anonymous commentator writes: “There
is nothing too great for God's power; and nothing too small for His
fatherly care”. Just as a child takes all things to their parents,
from the cuts and bruises of rough and tumble, to the most perplexing
problems of dealing with life, so we are encouraged to bring all of
life into the presence of God.
And to do so thankfully! One can have
the impression that prayer is an exercise in trying to wrestle
something out of God that God is reluctant to give. That we need to
have the right words and formula and spend the right amount of time
praying in order to find God's way. Paul counteracts such a view by
suggesting the true requisite for a fruitful prayer life is that it
simply flows from a heart full of thanksgiving.
Such is a way of prayer that he
suggests will bring us peace... and not just any old peace... but
peace that passes understanding. The kind of peace that keeps us
centered even when everything looks like it is falling apart! The
sort of joy that comes from inner conviction rather than depending on
external circumstances.
Paul now uses the word 'finally' again.
This time he really is drawing to a close! Verses 8 through 9.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever
is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is
commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things.
Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard
and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
There is sometimes with
religious folk a tendency to divide between the sacred and the
secular. Nowhere has this been more evident in recent days than with
contemporary music. Indeed there is now a whole genre known as
‘Christian Contemporary Music’ which often sounds just like any
other kind of music, except the lyrical content is specifically
Christian.
Certainly much of it is of
a high quality but it would be a mistake to think that the only
spiritual insights one could obtain through contemporary music were
limited to a genre specifically labeled as ‘Christian’. In all
realms of the arts, not just music, whenever artists share their
hearts they are reflecting something of the image in which God has
made them. At times it may be their brokeness and distance from God
that they communicate… but sometimes that is what speaks to us
most.
Paul’s canvas is much
greater than just music or art. He encourages us to look for the good
in all that is around us… to find joy in whatever is worthy of
praise. Interestingly, the virtues he mentions in verse 8;
‘whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is
commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise’… are among those that were
particularly honored in the pagan world.
If God is the origin of
all that is good and true and honorable, then such are resources we
are right to enjoy!
In computer terminology
there is the phrase ‘Garbage in equates to garbage out’. Turning
that around, if we fill our lives with good things then a good
harvest is produced. So Paul finishes this section by urging his
readers to ‘keep on keeping on’ doing the good that he has
witnessed in them and that they have witnessed in him. As our letter
draws near its close Paul reminds the Philippians how grateful he was
for their partnership in the gospel.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your
concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no
opportunity to show it.
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be
content with whatever I have.
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have
plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of
being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in
need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
A final parting shot about
being joyful is found here. Paul tells us that he has learned to be
content with whatever he has. He has in his life known times when he
was overflowing with good things, and times when he was just hanging
in there. He shares the secret of his contentedness in verse 13 ‘I
can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’
Note that this is not
a statement about what he can do, but about what God can do.
Paul is content because he has a life surrendered to God and believes
that whatever comes his way God will help him through it. William
Barclay writes in his commentary ‘Paul could face anything, because
in every situation he had Christ; the person who walks with Christ
can cope with anything’. Morna Hooker in the New International
Bible Commentary writes that Verse 13 ‘reveals the secret of Paul's
ability to do “everything”; it is through the one who gives him
the strength he needs.’
Matthew Henry makes reference to
Ephesians 3:16 –17 ‘I
pray that, according to the riches of His glory, God may grant that
you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His
Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as
you are being rooted and grounded in love.’ He paraphrases Paul
as saying "Through
Christ, who is strengthening me, and does continually strengthen me;
it is by His constant and renewed strength I am enabled to act in
every thing; I wholly depend upon Him for all my spiritual power."
Lest he give the
impression that his reliance on God diminished the importance he
placed on the love he had received from the Philippian Church, Paul
concludes his letter by returning to his original thoughts; they had
been a wonderful blessing from God during his time of need. Verses 14
though 20.
In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress. You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel,
when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of
giving and receiving, except you alone.
For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs
more than once.
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to
your account.
I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully
satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you
sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to
God.
And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
He praises their kindness
that had helped him on numerous occasions. He is thankful for the
gift of Epaphroditus who had been a great friend and comfort to him
through his Christ-like service. He assures them that their kindness
would never go unnoticed by God who was intent on blessing them and
meeting their every need. He says ‘Amen’ and then adds a few
personal greetings.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet
you.
All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor's
household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
We titled our series on Philippians
‘Transformed by Joy ‘. Let us conclude by reviewing the sources
of transforming joy that Paul has offered to us.
Firstly there was joy through
participation. Through his partnership with the church in Philippi
Paul felt greatly blessed. They were dear to him and they had kept
faith with him, in particular through sending one of their own,
Epaphroditus, to be with him. The relationships we form with each
other through active participation in a worshipping community can be
a source of joy like no other.
Secondly, we spoke about joy through
endeavor. Being part of a community is a blessing but building
community is hard work. Its not a walk in the park, its more like a
walk through Psalm 23. There are the clear cool
waters, but also the frightening dark shadowy valleys, the
wolves we need protection from and the need to rely on the shepherds
rod and staff of guidance to get us through. It takes inner
conviction to go forward in the midst of uncertainty. Paul phrases
his inner conviction with the dramatic phrase ’For me to live is
Christ, to die is gain’. But this is not grim determination, rather
joyful acceptance that wherever and whatever his life may be, it was
being lived out within the great framework of the eternal love of
God.
Thirdly we spoke about joy through
obedience. Paul lifts up for us, through a passage we called the
Philippian hymn, the servant lifestyle of Jesus Christ, as the
ultimate example of what a joy surrendered, to God abandoned, life
should look like. Jesus love towards us becomes our incentive to care
for each other. Discipleship is not a task to be pursued with
grudging reticence, but joyful gratitude towards God. Paul uses the
imagery of ‘running a race to the finish’ to illuminate how our
endeavor is a life long journey! Our lives can be transformed through
joyful obedience to Christ’s call.
Fourthly we spoke about joy through
faithfulness. Paul singled out a couple of close friends, Timothy and
Epaphroditus as examples of how we find joy through nurturing our
closest relationships. He spoke about the joy we can experience
through knowing the forgiveness of God; knowing that we are saved by
grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. He spoke about the false
barriers we erect between each other… barriers of class, religion,
status, education, and influence… achievements he describes as
garbage in comparison to the joy that comes from simply knowing
ourselves God’s children, accepted and loved through Jesus Christ.
He talks about the joy of knowing that whatever the future may hold…
God’s got it covered.
Finally… in this session we have
spoken about joy through contentment. After urging agreement between
a couple of church ladies who are out of sorts, he reminds us some of
the principles Jesus has taught us. Treating others in a way we would
like to be treated. Remembering God is always near. Nurturing a
relationship with God that overwhelms our worries. Developing an
attitude of gratitude that enables us to see the good in even the
bleakest of outward situations. He talks of finding joy in the good
world around us, joy in all the positive things, the excellent and
commendable… the things worthy of praise. They are all gifts from
God through His children, for His children to feast upon.
He holds off till the end to give us
the most profound of his insights about how to have a life
transformed by joy. Chapter 4, verse 13 ‘I can do all things
through Him who strengthens me.’ Life is transformed when
we center life upon what God can do! Its not about self-sufficiency
but about trusting God to do those things in our selves that we can
not achieve apart from His love.
So… maybe… here is
Paul’s challenge to us. Dare we allow the Spirit of Christ to
invade our lives with the joy perspective? Dare we claim that even
when outwardly things may seem chaotic, that because we are placing
ourselves in God’s care, chaos can be infused with creativity? Dare
we trust God beyond our worries and concerns? Dare we throw
ourselves into deeper service of our church and community, simply
because we believe that we are loved and that the servant King, our
Lord Jesus Christ can actually bring the Kingdom near through our
little tasks and everyday random acts of faithfulness?
Take him up on that
challenge and them maybe we will see our personal lives and our
church, in ways little and large, transformed by joy! And to
conclude I offer Paul’s closing words: “The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit!”