Phili 4:1-10 | PNT | STEP | Precepts for Christian Life SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS 4: Personal Admonitions. Going to the Lord for Help. Setting the Mind on Noble Things. The Supply of His Wants Sent by the Philippians. Parting Salutations. Therefore . Because you are citizens of a heavenly country ( ). My brethren dearly beloved and longed for . The words that follow are words of the most tender affection. My joy and crown . A joy to him now on account of their faith and affection; a crown of honor to him in the day of accounts, as his coverts. So stand fast in the Lord . Be steadfast in the way I have pointed out.

Philippians 4:1-10

Precepts for Christian Life SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS 4: Personal Admonitions. Going to the Lord for Help. Setting the Mind on Noble Things. The Supply of His Wants Sent by the Philippians. Parting Salutations.

Therefore. Because you are citizens of a heavenly country (Php 3:20).

My brethren dearly beloved and longed for. The words that follow are words of the most tender affection.

My joy and crown. A joy to him now on account of their faith and affection; a crown of honor to him in the day of accounts, as his coverts.

So stand fast in the Lord. Be steadfast in the way I have pointed out. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche. Two good women of Philippi, who had apparently been estranged. Women were prominent in the founding of the Philippian church; Lydia was the first convert (Ac 16:14,15), and her house was a home of the missionaries (Ac 16:40). Observe the repetition of the word "beseech". It gives it special emphasis. I entreat thee also, true yokefellow. Some very dear brother who had been a fellow-laborer of Paul. The term is applied to the relation of husbands and wives, and to that of very intimate friends. The one addressed must have been a companion of toils and sufferings. Some have thought that Silas, associated with him in suffering at Philippi is meant (Ac 16:19-24), and that he was at Philippi when this letter was sent, but this is not certain.

Help those women which laboured with me in the gospel. As Euodias and Syntyche have just been named, they are those meant. They had zealously aided his labors at Philippi.

With Clement also. The Clement named is thought to be the same who was later a bishop at Rome, and the author of certain extant Epistles to the Corinthians. The name, however, was so common that this is uncertain.

Whose names [are] in the book of life. Those are held to have their names in the book of life who are enrolled as the children of God. Compare Re 3:5 13:8 17:8 20:12. Rejoice in the Lord always. Compare Php 3:1. That a prisoner, soon to be tried for his life, should not only rejoice but bid others to rejoice, shows the power of the gospel to comfort one who has made Christ all in all. Your moderation. Your forbearance.

The Lord [is] at hand. A special watchword of the early church in time of trouble. It meant practically "Deliverance is near". Be careful for nothing. "In nothing be anxious" (Revised Version). The meaning is "Have no distressing anxiety about anything. "Care-ful" used to mean "full of care". Compare Mt 6:25.

But in every thing. Instead of anxiety, just lay the case before God, and trust him to do all things well.

Let your requests be made known unto God. Three elements enter into the appeal to God:

Prayer, the outpouring of the soul; supplication, stating our wants; thanksgiving; we must always come to God, not in a complaining spirit, but with thankfulness for present mercies. And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver.

Which passeth all understanding. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it.

Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure. Finally, brethren. As he concludes his letter, he sums up Christian duties into a single paragraph.

Whatsoever things are true. Truth in word, in action, and in thought, must be cherished. Christ is THE TRUTH. His followers must be truth itself.

Honest. The Greek is "reverend". Whatever is worthy of reverence.

Just. Strict justice in all dealings; an upright life.

Pure. Chaste lives and clean hearts and thoughts.

Lovely. Such deeds as spring from love and inspired love in others.

Of good report. A life of which no evil thing can be truthfully said.

If [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise. Lest he may have omitted some excellency he adds, "If there be aught else which is virtuous or praiseworthy, let these all be the things to which you give your minds". Those things, which ye have both learned, and . . . seen in me, do. He turns from precept to example, the best of all teachers, and enjoins that they observe not only what he had taught, but what they had seen in his life.

The God of peace shall be with you. For he is with all who so live. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. Because of the proof of affection furnished in the relief they sent to him by the hands of Epaphroditus.

That now at the last your care of me hath flourished again. They had before been careful to supply his needs. See 4:16 2Co 11:9.

Wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. They had always been ready to care for him, but lacked means of communicating with him. In those times there were no systems of exchange, and all money had to be sent by messengers.