Phili 4:4 | KingComments | STEP | In this last chapter Paul shows you how it is possible to stand above all circumstances. Not like the Stoics whose highest ideal was to live without expressing any emotion. No, Paul knew the greatest joy in the manner of life he presents. He wants you to partake of this joy in this chapter. . First, however, he still has a few exhortations. He begins with the word “therefore” and a most cordial way of addressing the Philippians. The word ‘therefore’ refers to the two preceding chapters. If you have understood something of what is presented of Christ then you have discovered the basis on which you can stand firm. It is a conclusion: you find your spiritual strength in Christ alone. You will discover that, if you look for things outside of Christ, you will begin to wander. You will be tossed to and fro ( ) unless everything in your life is focused on Christ. Paul loved those people and he longed to be with them. When he thought of them he gets very happy. This special relationship with them arose as they had come to faith through his ministry. He could bring them to the Lord Jesus as a crowning achievement of his work. They will decorate him at the coming of the Lord. He wished however, that they also would be this decoration in their practical life by their like-mindedness. . But there was something to be corrected especially with the two sisters who disagreed. He is not reticent; he calls each of them by name. Both sisters hear their name with the words “I urge” to listen. This shows that both were equally considered responsible for the lack of unanimity. Paul thus avoids any appearance of partiality or favoritism. He doesn’t seek a fleshly compromise for a solution, but he exhorts them to be like-minded “in the Lord'”. His point is that the Lord must regain His authority over their lives in the things about which they were in disagreement. The cause of the disagreement is not stated. Therefore we can make use of this situation for a wider application. It can happen that you become jealous of a brother with whom you do a work for the Lord and who gets more honor than you, at least that’s how you feel it. When sisters prepare something for a love meal they can be jealous of one another if people take more from the dish of another sister. Disagreement arises suddenly. On the other hand if like-mindedness in the Lord is present, then everyone thinks: ‘My work is for the Lord.’ Then people’s appreciation is no longer the standard, but the Lord’s. . It is always sad when difficulties arise in a relationship between two believers when they undertake a work for the Lord. Paul himself had this problem with Barnabas ( ). He knew these two women. They must have been powerful in the spread of the gospel. Perhaps they offered Paul a place in their homes to lodge during his ministry trip (cf. ). Anyway, the two women identified themselves with Paul and with the gospel he preached, and were not ashamed. Maybe they served him with their belongings as the other women who had served the Lord in this way ( ). It hurts Paul when he thinks of these two special women. A fracture in their relationship is unbearable to him. This fracture must be healed. Paul askes his “true companion” – probably Epaphroditus through whom he sent this letter – to help. Companion literally means ‘yokemate’. This makes it clear that it is about someone with whom Paul carried the yoke in the preaching of the gospel faithfully and unanimously. That was not a heavy yoke but a joyous one to carry. Also the word ‘true’ or ‘faithful’ deserves special attention. In each work the Lord assigns, faithfulness is the most important ingredient ( ). This is what the Lord rewards, and not the magnitude of the talent ( ). Besides these two women there were also other workers who labored with Paul in the preaching of the gospel. Of these he particularly mentions Clement. All of them helped in the preaching of the gospel in the territory of the enemy. They had to stand against resistance. This can sometimes be so severe that the servants can despair of themselves or of their service. Then this encouragement of Paul from his imprisonment in Rome comes to cheer them up. With a few words he raises up the discouraged servants above the circumstances by reminding them that their “names are in the book of life” ( ). This is the book of God’s counsels in which His chosen ones are written. . The assurance of being in it is again a reason for his call to “rejoice in the Lord”. And even if you have success in your ministry, the greatest joy is not your success, but the fact that your name is written in heaven. So says the Lord at least to His disciples when they come back delighted to tell the results of their ministry ( ). The sadness Paul had in view of the many people who called themselves Christians ( ) could not take away his own joy in the Lord. He could always rejoice in the Lord. In the Lord he found a source of continuous joy that gave him solace in the midst of pain and sadness. The call to rejoice does not come from someone in heaven surrounded by nothing but joy, but from someone imprisoned awaiting trial. That is why this appeal is compelling and an exhortation that works. If to rejoice is possible for him, then it is always possible for us whatever the circumstances be. Our joy does not have to be affected by adversity ( ; ). Paul lets them hear his encouragement to rejoice, not only once, but he says it again. You do not hear an impulsive man who says something to feel sorry for it a little later. Convinced by his own experience that it is possible, he emphasizes his call by saying it again. To be a joyful Christian does not mean to run around with a big smile or to say ‘hallelujah’ again and again. Joy rests in the heart. Of course that will radiate, but not in the sense of: ‘The bigger the laugh, the greater the joy.’ Here it is important to look deeper than the surface ( ). Your joy will be consistently pure and stable as long as Christ alone is the source of your joy. . This joy benefits others with whom you are associated. If the Lord alone is your source, your love for others will be pure also. You will be known as a ‘gentle’ person by all people. All will agree that you are someone who does not insist on his rights. Undoubtedly some will appreciate this, and others will say that you are mad, but anyway it will be known to all. Here, to “be known” by your gentleness, means that it will be noticed and experienced, but not because you talk about it. You must not promote your own qualities. Leave that to others ( ). Gentleness means that you know how to accommodate to circumstances and that you do not insist on your rights ( ; ; ). If you think you have the rights, you will then want something from the world and rely on it ( ). The temptation to claim our rights prematurely threatens us constantly. To overcome this Paul advises us again to go to Lord. In Him we see Someone Who never claimed His rights. He never went ahead of God’s plan in taking His kingdom during His life time, although He was King ( ). Paul once made use of his rights, but that served the purpose of God and not his own interests ( ). A guest who lodges somewhere will always be gentle. After all we are citizens of heaven, and on the earth we are pilgrims and strangers ( ). When it is very difficult, and you are inclined to insist on your rights for yourself, then you should know that “the Lord is near”. You should know that He will come soon and will give you what you are entitled to and restore whatever you gave up while on earth. That the Lord is near also means that He is near to you at this very moment ( ). His nearness now and His soon coming preserve you from being troubled by things down here or preoccupied with yourself. Now read Philippians 4:1-5 again. Reflection: Do people, whom you have to do with, know you as a gentle person?

‏ Philippians 4:4

Of the Same Mind and Joy in the Lord

In this last chapter Paul shows you how it is possible to stand above all circumstances. Not like the Stoics whose highest ideal was to live without expressing any emotion. No, Paul knew the greatest joy in the manner of life he presents. He wants you to partake of this joy in this chapter.

Phil 4:1. First, however, he still has a few exhortations. He begins with the word “therefore” and a most cordial way of addressing the Philippians. The word ‘therefore’ refers to the two preceding chapters. If you have understood something of what is presented of Christ then you have discovered the basis on which you can stand firm. It is a conclusion: you find your spiritual strength in Christ alone. You will discover that, if you look for things outside of Christ, you will begin to wander. You will be tossed to and fro (Eph 4:13-14) unless everything in your life is focused on Christ.

Paul loved those people and he longed to be with them. When he thought of them he gets very happy. This special relationship with them arose as they had come to faith through his ministry. He could bring them to the Lord Jesus as a crowning achievement of his work. They will decorate him at the coming of the Lord. He wished however, that they also would be this decoration in their practical life by their like-mindedness.

Phil 4:2. But there was something to be corrected especially with the two sisters who disagreed. He is not reticent; he calls each of them by name. Both sisters hear their name with the words “I urge” to listen. This shows that both were equally considered responsible for the lack of unanimity. Paul thus avoids any appearance of partiality or favoritism.

He doesn’t seek a fleshly compromise for a solution, but he exhorts them to be like-minded “in the Lord'”. His point is that the Lord must regain His authority over their lives in the things about which they were in disagreement. The cause of the disagreement is not stated. Therefore we can make use of this situation for a wider application.

It can happen that you become jealous of a brother with whom you do a work for the Lord and who gets more honor than you, at least that’s how you feel it. When sisters prepare something for a love meal they can be jealous of one another if people take more from the dish of another sister. Disagreement arises suddenly. On the other hand if like-mindedness in the Lord is present, then everyone thinks: ‘My work is for the Lord.’ Then people’s appreciation is no longer the standard, but the Lord’s.

Phil 4:3. It is always sad when difficulties arise in a relationship between two believers when they undertake a work for the Lord. Paul himself had this problem with Barnabas (Acts 15:36-39). He knew these two women. They must have been powerful in the spread of the gospel. Perhaps they offered Paul a place in their homes to lodge during his ministry trip (cf. 2Kgs 4:8). Anyway, the two women identified themselves with Paul and with the gospel he preached, and were not ashamed. Maybe they served him with their belongings as the other women who had served the Lord in this way (Lk 8:3).

It hurts Paul when he thinks of these two special women. A fracture in their relationship is unbearable to him. This fracture must be healed. Paul askes his “true companion” – probably Epaphroditus through whom he sent this letter – to help. Companion literally means ‘yokemate’. This makes it clear that it is about someone with whom Paul carried the yoke in the preaching of the gospel faithfully and unanimously. That was not a heavy yoke but a joyous one to carry. Also the word ‘true’ or ‘faithful’ deserves special attention. In each work the Lord assigns, faithfulness is the most important ingredient (1Cor 4:2). This is what the Lord rewards, and not the magnitude of the talent (Mt 25:21 ; 23).

Besides these two women there were also other workers who labored with Paul in the preaching of the gospel. Of these he particularly mentions Clement. All of them helped in the preaching of the gospel in the territory of the enemy. They had to stand against resistance. This can sometimes be so severe that the servants can despair of themselves or of their service. Then this encouragement of Paul from his imprisonment in Rome comes to cheer them up.

With a few words he raises up the discouraged servants above the circumstances by reminding them that their “names are in the book of life” (Rev 3:5 ; Rev 21:27). This is the book of God’s counsels in which His chosen ones are written.

Phil 4:4. The assurance of being in it is again a reason for his call to “rejoice in the Lord”. And even if you have success in your ministry, the greatest joy is not your success, but the fact that your name is written in heaven. So says the Lord at least to His disciples when they come back delighted to tell the results of their ministry (Lk 10:20).

The sadness Paul had in view of the many people who called themselves Christians (Phil 3:18) could not take away his own joy in the Lord. He could always rejoice in the Lord. In the Lord he found a source of continuous joy that gave him solace in the midst of pain and sadness. The call to rejoice does not come from someone in heaven surrounded by nothing but joy, but from someone imprisoned awaiting trial. That is why this appeal is compelling and an exhortation that works.

If to rejoice is possible for him, then it is always possible for us whatever the circumstances be. Our joy does not have to be affected by adversity (Hab 3:17-19; Jn 15:11 ; Jn 17:13). Paul lets them hear his encouragement to rejoice, not only once, but he says it again. You do not hear an impulsive man who says something to feel sorry for it a little later. Convinced by his own experience that it is possible, he emphasizes his call by saying it again.

To be a joyful Christian does not mean to run around with a big smile or to say ‘hallelujah’ again and again. Joy rests in the heart. Of course that will radiate, but not in the sense of: ‘The bigger the laugh, the greater the joy.’ Here it is important to look deeper than the surface (Pro 14:13). Your joy will be consistently pure and stable as long as Christ alone is the source of your joy.

Phil 4:5. This joy benefits others with whom you are associated. If the Lord alone is your source, your love for others will be pure also. You will be known as a ‘gentle’ person by all people. All will agree that you are someone who does not insist on his rights. Undoubtedly some will appreciate this, and others will say that you are mad, but anyway it will be known to all.

Here, to “be known” by your gentleness, means that it will be noticed and experienced, but not because you talk about it. You must not promote your own qualities. Leave that to others (Pro 27:2). Gentleness means that you know how to accommodate to circumstances and that you do not insist on your rights (Jam 3:17; 1Tim 3:3; Tit 3:2). If you think you have the rights, you will then want something from the world and rely on it (1Cor 6:7).

The temptation to claim our rights prematurely threatens us constantly. To overcome this Paul advises us again to go to Lord. In Him we see Someone Who never claimed His rights. He never went ahead of God’s plan in taking His kingdom during His life time, although He was King (Jn 18:36-37). Paul once made use of his rights, but that served the purpose of God and not his own interests (Acts 16:37).

A guest who lodges somewhere will always be gentle. After all we are citizens of heaven, and on the earth we are pilgrims and strangers (Phil 3:20). When it is very difficult, and you are inclined to insist on your rights for yourself, then you should know that “the Lord is near”. You should know that He will come soon and will give you what you are entitled to and restore whatever you gave up while on earth.

That the Lord is near also means that He is near to you at this very moment (Psa 145:18). His nearness now and His soon coming preserve you from being troubled by things down here or preoccupied with yourself.

Now read Philippians 4:1-5 again.

Reflection: Do people, whom you have to do with, know you as a gentle person?