Philippians 4
4:1 a stay true to the Lord (literally stand in the Lord): Cp. 1:27 b.• Their continuing faithfulness to Christ was a deep source of joy to Paul and the crown for his hard work (see 1 Thes 2:19-20 c).
Summary for Phil 4:2-9: 4:2-9 d Before closing, Paul addresses a small conflict in the church and writes a few words of encouragement. 4:2 e because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement: The Lord’s people are to live together in harmony (see 2:2 f; 1 Cor 1:10 g; Eph 4:1-3 h, 31-32 i; Col 3:12-15 j). The nature of the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche is unknown.
4:3 k my true partner or loyal Syzygus: The Greek word suzuge is either a proper name or a description; this person is unknown.
• Nothing more is known of Clement.
• Those whose names are written in the Book of Life are true believers, destined to receive eternal life (see Luke 10:20 l; Rev 3:5 m; 13:8 n; 17:8 o; 20:12 p, 15 q; 21:27 r; cp. Exod 32:32 s; Ps 69:28 t; Dan 12:1 u).
Summary for Phil 4:4-6: 4:4-6 v rejoice! ... pray ... thank him: Cp. 1 Thes 5:16-18 w; both passages are addressed to persecuted churches; see also Rom 12:12 x. 4:4 y In Paul’s letters, joy and rejoicing are a response to the Good News (see Eph 5:19-20 z). Joy is not dependent on circumstances; believers find joy in the Lord even in the midst of suffering.
• rejoice! See Phil 2:18 aa; 3:1 ab; Rom 12:12 ac, 15 ad; 1 Thes 5:16 ae.
4:5 af Believers are to be considerate in their responses to others, even in persecution. They can afford to leave justice in God’s hands because they know the Lord is coming soon (cp. Jas 5:8-9 ag).
4:6 ah Believers need not worry about anything because the heavenly Father loves his children and cares about their needs, and he has invited his children to pray about everything (see Matt 6:25-34 ai; 7:9-11 aj; Rom 12:12 ak; Eph 6:18 al; 1 Thes 5:17 am; 1 Pet 5:7 an).
4:7 ao The life of trusting God (4:6 ap) brings God’s peace (see also Isa 26:3 aq; John 14:27 ar; Col 3:15 as).
4:8 at Paul urges the Philippians to focus on God’s good gifts so that, even during suffering and persecution, their lives will be exemplary and their minds and hearts will be filled with peace (4:7 au, 9 av).
4:9 aw all you learned and received from me: Everything Paul had taught them by word or example about the kind of life God desires (see 3:17 ax; 1 Cor 4:6 ay, 16-17 az; 2 Thes 3:7-9 ba).
Summary for Phil 4:10-20: 4:10-20 bb In closing, Paul thanks the Philippians for the gift they had sent him by the hand of Epaphroditus. 4:10 bc Why they didn’t have the chance to help him earlier is not clear.
Summary for Phil 4:11-12: 4:11-12 bd As a slave of Christ, Paul has learned to be content with every situation, whether he had plenty or little. His life was filled with the joy that comes from doing the will of God whatever the cost.
4:13 be through Christ: With Christ’s help, Paul had the strength to do everything. In everything, especially while enduring suffering, Paul relied on the strength of Christ, who lived in him and worked through him (see 2 Cor 1:8-10 bf; 4:7-12 bg; 12:8-10 bh; Gal 2:20 bi; Col 1:27 bj).
4:14 bk The Philippians’ generosity and care were commendable, especially given Paul’s present difficulty in prison.
4:15 bl the only ones who gave me financial help: By contrast, Paul determined not to accept financial help from the Corinthians because it would have damaged the reputation of the Good News in their eyes (1 Cor 9:11-18 bm; 2 Cor 11:7-12 bn). He did not face such a problem with the Philippians.
• when I first brought you the Good News: See Acts 16:11-40 bo.
4:16 bp After leaving Philippi (4:15 bq) Paul had gone to Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-8 br; cp. 1 Thes 2:1-14 bs).
4:17 bt I don’t say this because I want a gift from you: Paul preferred to support himself (see Acts 18:3 bu; 1 Cor 4:12 bv; 9:3-18 bw; 2 Cor 11:7-11 bx; 12:14-15 by).
• The reward would be a blessing from God.
4:18 bz Epaphroditus (see also 2:25-30 ca) had carried the gifts from Philippi.
• Their gifts were a sweet-smelling sacrifice: In the Old Testament, acceptable offerings were a pleasant fragrance to God (see Lev 1:9 cb, 13 cc, 17 cd; 2:2 ce, 9 cf; 3:5 cg, 16 ch; cp. Rom 12:1 ci; Eph 5:2 cj).
4:20 ck Having reflected on God’s glorious blessings, Paul concludes appropriately with an expression of praise to God.
4:22 cl Those in Caesar’s household were believers employed in the service of the Roman government—perhaps those whom Paul had evangelized while in prison. They might have been especially close to Paul and concerned for him in prison (see 1:13 cm).
4:23 cn In closing his letters, Paul usually invokes the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ on those to whom he writes (see also 1:2 co). Believers depend on Christ’s grace to save and sustain them.
• The spirit is the part of the person that relates directly to God.
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