(Chapter 4:1-23)
In the second chapter the Apostle has presented Christ coming down from the glory to the cross, setting forth the lowly mind that should mark believers, enabling us to be true witnesses for Christ in the world we are passing through. In the third chapter he has directed our gaze to Christ exalted in glory as Lord, our Object in whom we see the glorious end to which we are journeying. In this closing chapter he gives us exhortations as to the practice that should mark the every-day life of those who have Christ before them as their perfect Pattern, and their one Object, and he presents Christ as the One who can strengthen us for all things.
(Vs. 1). Firstly, we are exhorted to “stand fast in the Lord”. The evils we have to meet, whether from the flesh within, the devil without, or the world around, are too strong for us, but the Lord is able “to subdue all things unto Himself” (ch. 3:21). We are not asked, or expected, to overcome in our own strength, or by our wisdom, but to “stand fast in the Lord” — in the power of His might.
(Vss. 2-3). Secondly, we are exhorted to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” There was a difference of judgment between two devoted women at Philippi, and the Apostle foresaw how a circumstance that the saints might judge to be of small import could easily lead to great sorrow and weakness in the assembly. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (James 3:55Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (James 3:5)). The apostle, however, who knows how to take the precious from the vile, does not overlook the devotedness of these sisters, who had stood with him in contending for the gospel in the face of opposition, insults and persecutions. Their very devotedness would surely only add to his grief that there should be any difference between them in the Lord's interests. He, therefore, not only beseeches them to be of the same mind, but entreats Epaphroditus to assist them. In seeking to help them, let him remember that their names are “in the book of life.” Amongst the people of God there may not be “many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble” that are called, but can we think lightly of any “whose names are in the book of life”?
(Vs. 4). Thirdly, we are exhorted to “Rejoice in the Lord alway”. Already the Apostle has exhorted us to rejoice in the Lord, but now again he can say, not only “Rejoice”, but rejoice always. However painful our circumstances, however great the opposition of the enemy, and however heartbreaking the failure among the Lord's people, in the Lord we can always rejoice. Of Him we can say “Thou remainest” and “Thou art the Same.”
(Vs. 5). Fourthly, in reference to the world we are passing through, with all its violence and corruption, the exhortation is “Let your gentleness be known unto all men” (JND). In His own time the Lord will deal with all the evil and bring in all the blessing, and His coming is near. It is not for believers, then, to interfere with the government of the world, nor to assert their rights and fight for them. Our privilege and responsibility is to represent Christ, and thus exhibit the gentleness that marked the Lord. The Psalmist could say, “Thy gentleness hath made me great” (Psa. 18:3535Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. (Psalm 18:35)). We belittle ourselves in the eyes of the world if we assert ourselves and oppose its government. If we exhibit the gentleness of Christ, the world itself will hardly be able to condemn, for, as it has been said, “Gentleness is irresistible.”
(Vss. 6-7). Fifthly, as regards the trials by the way, the daily necessities and bodily needs in connection with the present life, we are to find relief from all anxiety by making them all known to God. If our gentleness is to be made known to all men, our requests are to be made known to God. The result will be, not perhaps that all our requests will be answered, for this might not be for our good or God's glory, but that the heart will be relieved from its burden of anxiety, and be kept in calm peace — “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding”. To be “careful for nothing” does not mean that we are careless about anything, but that, instead of being continually worried by the cares of the day and the fear of tomorrow, we pour out our cares to God, and He pours the balm of peace into our souls. And it is “through Christ Jesus” we can draw near to God, and through Him God can grant His blessing.
(Vs. 8). Sixthly, being relieved of our cares, our minds will not only be kept in peace but set free to be occupied with all those things in which God delights. The world we are passing through is marked by violence and corruption, and we are called to refuse the evil; but we are to beware lest our minds become defiled by dwelling upon its evil. Good for us to have a hatred of evil and a dread of it, and the love of good and the choice of it. If our thoughts were controlled by the Spirit of God would they not be occupied with, and delighting in, all those blessed things which were seen in perfection in Christ? Was He not true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and the One in whom there was everything to call forth praise? May we not say that to be occupied with these things will mean that our minds are delighting in Christ?
(4:9). Seventhly, having exhorted us as to the things of which we should think, Paul passes on to exhort us as to that which we should do. In our practical life we are to “do” even as the Apostle. Already he has told us, “this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus”. So walking, we shall not only enjoy in our souls the peace of God while passing through a world of turmoil, but we shall have the God of peace with us — the peace of God preserving our souls in calmness, and the presence of God supporting us in our weakness.
However trying the circumstances we may have to pass through, however terrible the evils in the world, the corruptions of Christendom, the failure amongst the people of God, however great the opposition of the enemy, and whatever insults and reproaches we may have to meet, how blessed our lives would be if lived in accord with these exhortations: —
To stand fast in the Lord;
To have one mind in the Lord;
To rejoice in the Lord always;
To exhibit the gentleness of the Lord to all men;
To cast all our care upon God by prayer;
To have our thoughts occupied with that which is good as expressed in Christ;
To be governed in all that we do by Christ our one Object.
(Vss. 10-13). In the closing verses of the epistle we see in Paul one who was superior to all circumstances. He had rolled all his cares upon God, and now he could rejoice that the Lord had given these saints the love and the opportunity to care for him in his affliction by helping to meet his needs.
Nevertheless, we are permitted to see in the Apostle a saint who was lifted above circumstances, for he knew how to be abased and how to abound, how to be full and how to be hungry, how to abound and how to suffer need. Such knowledge he had gained by experience and divine guidance, for he can say, “I have learned” and “I am instructed”. If God allows us to pass through testing circumstances, it is to instruct us. One has said, “If full, He keeps me from being careless, and indifferent, and self-satisfied: if hungry, He keeps me from being cast down and dissatisfied” (JND).
Paul can thus say, “I have strength for all things”, but, he adds, this strength is “in Christ”. He does not say “I have strength in myself”, but “in Him that gives me power” (JND).
(Vss. 14-18). Through this dependence upon Christ to meet all his needs, he was lifted above being influenced by men in order to obtain their favor and help. Nonetheless, the Philippian saints had “done well” in helping to meet the needs of the Apostle. The love that promoted this gift would ascend as fruit to God and abound to their account, for it was a sacrifice on their part, “wellpleasing to God”.
(Vss. 19-20). From his own experience of the goodness of God, he can say with all confidence, “My God shall abundantly supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (JND). We can find relief from all anxiety by making known all our needs to God by Christ Jesus; and God will abundantly meet our needs by Christ Jesus. Well may we say with the Apostle, “Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
(Vss. 21-23). The closing salutation gives a beautiful picture of Christian fellowship in the early church, and the esteem in which these saints were held by the Apostle, for he not only says that he saluted “every saint in Christ Jesus”, but “all the saints salute you.” He closes by saying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (JND). We need the mercy of God to meet the needs of our bodies, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to keep our spirits.
How blessedly is Christ kept before us from the commencement to the end of this beautiful epistle. In the first chapter it is Christ our Life, leading the believer to view everything in connection with Him (1:21). In the second chapter it is Christ our Pattern in lowliness, to unite us together in one mind (2:5). In the third chapter it is Christ our Object in the glory, to enable us to overcome all opposition (3:14). In the last chapter it is Christ our Strength, to meet all our needs (4:13).
Moreover, in the course of the epistle we learn the experience we should enjoy if, in the power of the Spirit, we took our journey through this world with Christ before us. We should, with the Apostle, experience joy in the Lord (1:4; 3:1-3; 4:4, 10); confidence in the Lord (1:6); peace that passeth all understanding (4:7); love to one another (1:8; 2:1; 4:1); hope that waits for the coming of the Lord Jesus (3:20); and faith that counts upon the Lord's support (4:12, 13).
Jesus! Thou art enough
The mind and heart to fill;
Thy patient life — to calm the soul;
Thy love — its fear dispel.
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