“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
“(For) the rest, brothers mine, rejoice in (the) Lord. To-write the same-(things) to you (is) not irksome to me, but safe for-you. Look-out-for the dogs, look-out-for the evil-workmen, look-out-for the concision.”
Philippians 3:1-2
At first sight, chapter 3 might seem to be the beginning of an entirely fresh subject: with a break in the continuity of the Epistle. It might seem to jar on our spirits to turn from such an example of devotedness as Epaphroditus to those who must be termed, “dogs,” “evil workers,” “the concision.” But let us remember that devotedness has seemed to be the theme of our Epistle throughout; and we have, in chapter 2, gazed with joy and wonder at the examples of devotedness the Spirit of God has been pleased to bring before us; and now He is about (I believe) to bring before us the power for devotedness. Bearing this in mind, I trust we may see that there is no break in the continuity of the Epistle, even though it is true we are now to gaze on devotedness in a different aspect.
Our English Bible begins chapter 3, with: “Finally, my brethren” (vs. 1). This seems to intimate that Paul had in mind that he was about to close his letter. In chapter 4:8 we find the same word, and it has been suggested that again Paul thought to close, but once again found more to say. I do not think that such is the case. The literal translation of what Paul wrote is: “For the rest, my brethren” (vs. 1); or, as we may try to translate it: “(As to) that which remains (to be said), brothers mine.” Doubtless Paul knew his letter was drawing to a close, but he also knew that much more remained to be said. We find almost the same words, used in the same way, in 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Thess. 3:1; 2 Cor. 13:11; and Eph. 6:10; and I think in every case, the meaning is somewhat as we have suggested above. You will notice 1 Thess. 4:1 translates it, `furthermore’.
“Brothers mine,” or, “My brethren.” Paul does not often use this expression, though we find it twice in each of the three epistles— Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Philippians. (Eph. 6:10 should omit it). James is the one who uses it more often: but it is a very sweet and touching name, and seems to convey nearness and love in a special way: and perhaps that is why it is used in these particular epistles. In Romans the saints were mostly strangers, though some exceedingly well known and loved: and Paul would bind them to him with the words: “my brethren,” or “brothers mine.” In 1 Corinthians Paul had been compelled to do a lot of scolding. It was an epistle that was written through “many tears,” and “brothers mine,” seems peculiarly appropriate; for these naughty saints were very, very dear to the Apostle. But in Philippians it is altogether different. It was their warm-hearted love and fellowship in the gospel that drew out the affections of the Apostle’s heart, as perhaps in no other epistle to the churches, and caused him to exclaim, “brothers mine!”
And now we come to the particular word, that seems to me to link all together in such a beautiful way, so that we may see the entire coherence and wonderful harmony in the structure of the whole Epistle: “Rejoice in the Lord” (vs. 1). The keynote of the Epistle has been joy: “With joy he made supplication for them all (chap. 1:4). It was with joy, and ever new joy, that he beheld his very bonds giving a fresh impulse to the preaching of Christ (chap. 1:18). So too he is assured of his continuance with them all for their progress and joy of faith, that their boasting might abound in Christ through him (chap. 1:25). Next he called on them to fulfill his joy (chap. 2:2), not merely by the proof of their love to him, but by cultivating unity of mind and mutual love according to Christ, Who, though the highest, made Himself the lowest in grace, and is now exalted to the pinnacle of glory. `Yea, and if I be offered (or, poured forth) on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me’ (chap. 2:17, 18). So again, the Apostle sends away his companion and solace, Epaphroditus, when recovered, to the Philippians, who were uneasy at the tidings of his dangerous sickness, ‘that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.’ (chap. 2:28).” (W. Kelly).
Thus we see joy like a cord of gold, running through the first two chapters of our lovely little book: and in like manner we will still find it in the last two chapters. So it is fitting that “rejoice” shall be the link that so strongly and so beautifully binds the whole Epistle together. “Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” (Psa. 96:6).
So far we have seen joy amidst circumstances: often difficult circumstances: but now we come to joy that is independent of circumstances: “Rejoice in the Lord” (vs. 1). In Rom. 5:1-11 we have an accumulating multitude of blessings: one added after another: so we find the words, “also,” “not only so,” “much more,” as one blessing after another is heaped before us: but in verse 11 we come to the crowning blessing of all: “Not only so, but we joy in God” (Rom. 5:11). It is true the correct translation is to exult, or boast: but it is a “joyous exultation.” (Abbott-Smith). Well do I remember dear old Mr. Potter, in a conference at Des Moines, remarking: “We cannot get beyond that.” There is no “not only so” to follow “joy in God.” That joyous exultation is beyond and above circumstances entirely. It is “in God,” where the storms of earth can never touch it. And so our chapter begins: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” (vs. 1). In a sense that sums up all the Apostle has to say: and as long as the saints are rejoicing in the Lord, they are safe. In Chapter 4:4, the Apostle writes even more strongly: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice!” (ch. 4:4). Some people seem to think to be a Christian is a sad thing, with all joy taken away. It is quite the reverse. A Christian who is walking with the Lord is filled with joy: yes, he may even be sorrowful, “yet always rejoicing.” This joy is not the light and “frothy” joy of this world. It is a joy that accords with the Greek word “semnos,” a word that is almost impossible to translate into English: the dictionary gives the meaning as: “grave, serious.” But the “semnos” man “has a grace and dignity not lent him from earth; but which he owes to that higher citizenship which is also his.” (Trench). And so only four verses after Philippians 4:4, (referred to above), we find the Spirit telling us to think on things that are semnos. (Translated honest in our English Bible). Our Lord Jesus said: “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). It is our Lord’s own joy with which we rejoice, even now, down here.
We suggested that the third chapter of Philippians gives us the power of devotedness. If this suggestion is correct, could there be anything more suitable, or more beautiful, than the way in which it begins: “Rejoice in the Lord!” (vs. 1). We know that “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). And so here, in four words, the Spirit of God gives us the key to the power for devotedness to Christ. He, Himself, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame: and we, as we rejoice in Him, will find strength and power to walk the path before us, no matter what it may be, in devotedness to our Lord and Master.
Well may the Apostle say, “To write these things to you is not irksome to me, but safe for you.” Joy is the second of the fruits of the Spirit, and one who is led by the Spirit, will never find it irksome to speak of that joy. Out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks; and if our hearts are flooded with the joy of the Lord, it must be manifested in our speech: yea, our very faces will be irradiated by it. “They looked unto Him, and were radiant.” (Psa. 34:5) No, it was no trouble to the Apostle, to write “Rejoice in the Lord!” (vs. 1). “But for you (it is) safe,” he adds. And, as we have said, in a sense this sums up what the Apostle has to say: for just as long as the saints are rejoicing in the Lord, they have His strength, and “are safe.” It has been said that discouragement is the devil’s strongest weapon: and there may be truth in this, for when we are discouraged we are not rejoicing in the Lord: for He is the God of all encouragement: and so when we cease to rejoice in the Lord, our strength is gone: and we are an easy prey for the enemy. Well the Apostle knows this, and well does he know how easy it is for us to get our eyes elsewhere than “looking off unto Jesus,” and then our joy is gone, and with it our strength. So the next portion of our chapter is a warning against those things which so easily rob us of our joy in the Lord. We will close this lovely portion by once again repeating
“FINALLY, MY BRETHREN, REJOICE IN THE LORD!” (vs. 1).
WHO are these whose faces are irradiate
With eternal joy?
With the calm the tempest may not trouble
Nor the grave destroy?
Glad as those who hear a glorious singing
From the golden street,
Moving to the measure of the music
That is passing sweet.
They have been within the inner chamber
None can tread beside,
Where the Bridegroom radiant in His glory
Waiteth for the Bride.
Is it strange that from that golden chamber,
From the secret place,
Come they forth with everlasting radiance
Of His glorious Face?
Changed— transformed; forever and forever;
Thine alone to be;
Knowing none on earth, O Lord, beside Thee,
None in Heaven but Thee.