Verse 1. “Therefore, my beloved brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
Such loving words most surely breathe the atmosphere of heaven, the outcome of the life of Christ in the apostle. He is very solicitous that they stand fast in the Lord.
Verse 2. He beseeches Euodias, and Syntyche that they be of one mind in the Lord. They seemed to be nice, earnest sisters, and helpers in the gospel, but they did not pull together in everything, and this spoiled Paul’s enjoyment of their full fellowship. We see in 1:27 and 2:2-4 that it kept his joy in the Philippians from being full. How careful we should all be lest self pleasing should bring in jealousy or vainglory into our service, thus hindering the work of the Lord, both in ourselves and others.
Verse 3. “And I intreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.” It probably was Epaphroditus writing at Paul’s dictation, who was asked to help those mentioned, that had labored with the apostle. The grace that he had seen in them, assured him that their names were in the Lamb’s book of life. The women are here encouraged in their fellowship and work in the gospel, without stepping out of the womanly position (1 Cor. 14:3434Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. (1 Corinthians 14:34), and 1 Tim. 2:11, 1211Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11‑12)).
We do not get women preachers and teachers and evangelists in Scripture, but apart from that place that men are called to fill, we can think of a multitude of ways in which sisters in the Lord can serve Him in the gospel. What helpers also in prayer they are when their hearts are in the work, and the word “help” means here—to assist them in what they are seeking to do for the Lord. We all need help in this way as in this verse.
Verse 4. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, ‘Rejoice.’” We saw the Apostle weeping (3:18). Here we find his joy always in the Lord, and this is blessed that amid whatever sorrow the Lord may allow to overtake us, our joy is ever in the Lord; his years in prison still find him rejoicing in the Lord, even if chained to a soldier.
“Our Lord, our life, our rest, our shield,
Our rock, our food, our light;
Each thought of Thee doth constant yield
Unchanging fresh delight.”
Verse 5. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” This is really gentle yieldingness of spirit. They were to trust Him, not acting in the spirit of the world, but to be lowly and meek. The Lord is our refuge, we can ever commit ourselves to Him in whatever tries us. A little while, and all our difficulties will be over, what men strive for now will be nothing then.
Verses 6, 7. “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Here we get God’s provision for our cares and anxieties. He loves His saints, and desires to hear from themselves. He wants us to know that He cares for us, so that we may unburden all to Him, whatever it is, great or small; if it is our interest, it is His also. It is not a mere formal statement that we are to make in our prayer; but in everything by prayer and supplication, more earnest prayer (compare Luke 22:4444And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44) with Heb. 5:77Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7)) which gives us to realize that we are heard, even though we may not get what we ask, and it brings in thanksgiving, and the peace of God into our souls. Peace which passes all understanding, shall then keep (or garrison) our hearts by Christ Jesus.
This is grace indeed, that even our cares and anxieties are a means of our souls being more and more led into communion with Him.
“Peace with God” we received by faith in Christ’s finished work about our sins.
“The peace of God” we have to keep our hearts and minds through faithful prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. What a comfort this is. May we learn to maintain this true living intercourse with God.
Verse 8. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
The Lord is now directing us how to use our minds. What we give our minds up to, forms our ways. We can direct our minds into good or evil. The things mentioned in that verse, point to everything that is praiseworthy. We must have some object to be occupied with. If we let our thoughts be governed by the flesh in us, we shall surely get out of communion with the Lord, and be in danger of falling into other evils.
Verse 9. “Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” This goes still further. The obedient heart that walks in this path, walks with God, and “the God of peace shall be with you.” Not only the peace of God shall keep your hearts, but also, “The God of peace shall be with you.”
Verse 10. He now refers to their gift of loving fellowship. He rejoiced that their care over him had again appeared, but they lacked opportunity. It was a comfort to him to see their love to him. It seems that he had been in need, but it had just led him to trust the Lord all the more. And he had learned in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be content. He had passed through times of need, and times of abundance. It taught him both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. The result in his soul was that he could say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
He would have them know that the Lord did not fail him in his need. Still it was well that they did communicate with his affliction; they were the Lord’s instrument in ministering to him. They had been used of the Lord before, indeed they were the only assembly at the first that had done so, and in Thessalonica they had sent once and again to meet his necessity.
What pleased him was to see grace working in them. He desired fruit to their account before God, and he had all and abounded through what Epaphroditus had brought from them. It was an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
His heart found its rest in all circumstances in God, and he thus expresses it to the Philippians. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He does not say God may do so, but he has such confidence in God’s care over himself that he says, “my God.” The one who cared for him in all the varied circumstances He had passed him through, had never failed to meet him, and would do the same for them, “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
His path so full of trials, sorrows, and joys, had taught him to say, “my God.” He concluded with the benediction, “Now unto God our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
He is our God and Father, and he proves it to all who trust Him. Then he sends his salutations, and also those who were with him were included, and those of Caesar’s household join in it. This is his salutation; “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” In Philippians the new divine life of Christ in the power of the Spirit in the saints is seen in its four great characteristics: in its affection; in its lowly obedience; in its spiritual energy, and in its perfect dependence.
Chapter 1 presents Christ as our motive for living or dying (ver. 21).
Chapter 2 presents Christ as our great example of our lowly obedience (ver. 5).
Chapter 3 presents Christ as our goal in glory (ver. 14).
Chapter 4 presents Christ as our all-sufficient resource (vers, 13-19)