Police were dispatched to the Lamplighter Motel in Longmont, CO after a guest in the next room called 911 because a man was ranting for more than an hour about killing, graveyards, and people getting “what’s coming to them.” Officers arrived and spoke to the man, who said he would be quiet. The officers left the man and waited outside his room for a few minutes, and soon then they heard more ranting about killing and graveyards, complete with incessant expletives. When police knocked on his door, he wouldn’t answer the door or several phone calls to his room and made threats to take his life. That’s when officers decided to call in the SWAT team. Police evacuated about a dozen guests from the motel. When all the guests were out, SWAT officers broke down the door and arrested the man. He was then taken to the hospital before being transported to jail. The great irony in this account is the man’s name is Lovall Peacen Bliss— said slowly it sounds “Love all, peace, and bless.”
Tragically, as Christians, there are times when we don’t live up to our name either. We often lack love, peace, and blessing to others around us. All three of these qualities are difficult to keep. Maybe today, your life may be anything but restful. You may have interpersonal conflict in your marriage, family, workplace, and church, yet there is hope. A person can love others, be peaceable and be blessed because these characteristics are marks of the control of the HOLY SPIRIT.
In Philippians 4:1–7 Paul provides two ways to help all of our relationships with others.
- Have an Elaborate Compassion for Others (4:1–3)
Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”
The conjunction “therefore” draws on previous material and expresses a logical conclusion from it. It means that verse 1 serves as a “hinge verse” that swings back between the preceding and following contexts.
What does verse 1 follow? Recall that Paul reminded the believers that they are “citizens of heaven” who are just passing through this life (3:20–21).
In the rest of the verse there is a phrase “so stand fast in the Lord.” Just what does “stand fast” (Greek stekete) mean? The word invokes a call to duty, to persevere in faith. This is Paul finishing his letter to these believers, like a conclusion of a letter that we would write. These words “Stand fast” compile all what Paul has written to them so far. It includes following the Lord’s commands, believing His Word, embracing godly priorities, loving God’s people, and following Christ’ example.
Paul writes to believers to commit to standing firm in the Lord and they in return, would have less difficulty when it comes to relating well to others.
Notice how Paul expresses his faith in Christ. He loves the believers at the church in Philippi (4:1).
Now there are three ways Paul communicates his love for them. And verse 1 has some of the most passionate and intimate words in the New Testament.
The first way Paul calls them “beloved” (Greek:agapetoi). In fact, he uses this word twice. He loves these believers because this is a command of Christ.
The second way that he addresses the Philippian believers is “brothers and sisters.” They are members of the family of God. Earlier in the letter he wrote that he longed to see these brothers and sisters (see 1:8; 2:26).
The third way is that Paul calls the Philippian believers his “joy and crown.” These believers are his present source of joy in this life and his eternal reward, as they are his future crown when he stands before the judgment seat of Christ (see 1 Thess 2:19).
What Paul shows here is that he loves Jesus, by obeying His command to love others.
Recall in Matthew 26:36-40 when Jesus asked what are the two greatest commandments: first to love God, which means to have a love for His Word, and to obey His Word. And the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbors.
Here Paul is personally practicing how he stands fast in the Lord by obeying God and loving others.
How do we communicate an expression of our love for other believers? We could say, “I love you” or maybe “I am longing for you” like Paul, but we must act in a way so that others are aware of our love.
On another note, Paul communicates the most significant part of this life and in the life to come is about building and establishing redemptive relationships with people. We need to be careful in our life that the pursuit of pleasure, position, power, prestige, popularity, and possessions doesn’t consume our priorities on earth.
Notice that this letter and especially verse 1 communicates that Paul pursues redemptive relationships. He recognizes that only God, people and God’s Word are eternal. Everything else will fade away like a mist in the morning.
How are you spending your time and investing your time? Who have you personally mentored and discipled? Who have you invested in?
In 4:2–3, Notice how Paul talks about church family relationships.
In Philippians 4:2-3 “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”
These two ladies were coworkers with Paul in the advancement of the gospel. And Paul urges them to “have the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians. 2:5). Literally, to think the same, to be of one mind, to focus on the same goal.
We can learn to disagree agreeably. We don’t need to have uniformity, but we do need to have unity in Christ’s will.
We can’t know for certain what their disagreements were. But we can know that it could not have been a major doctrinal dispute, like the resurrection of Christ or the deity of Christ or how people are saved by faith. When issues like this arise, Paul would write about correcting such doctrine. But, here Paul does not mention the issue. It suggests that these two people have taken a minor matter and turned it into a big distraction. It was something minor and it started to affect the Church.
Whatever their issue was, they lost their focus on Christ and their joy.
There is a story about a young rabbi, who had a serious problem in his new congregation. During worship, half the congregation stood for the prayers and half remained seated, and each side shouted at the other, insisting that theirs was the true tradition. Nothing the rabbi said or did helped solve the impasse. Finally, in desperation, the young rabbi sought out the synagogue’s 99-year-old founder.
He met the old rabbi in the nursing home and poured out his troubles. “So tell me,” he pleaded, “was it the tradition for the congregation to stand during the prayers?”
“Naugh,” answered the old rabbi.
“Ah,” responded the younger man, “then it was the tradition to sit during the prayers.”
“Naugh,” answered the old rabbi.
“Well,” the young rabbi responded, “what we have is complete chaos! Half the people stand and shout and the other half sit and scream.”
“Ah,” said the old rabbi, “that was the tradition.” (P. J. Alindogan, The Potter’s Jar blog, “Communicate and Relate”, 9-4-11; www.PreachingToday.com)
Notice in verse 3, Paul also called for reinforcement to help the two people with the phrase “true companion.” It’s an important interpretation that this singular noun is used to describe a group of people. In the context of chapter 4, Paul is speaking to a church. Brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, he is asking this body of believers to help these two people settle their differences. This is imperative, because this little schism, could bring down the whole church.
Also, in verse 3, Paul mentioned a man named Clement and many other co-labors “who’s names are written in the book of life.”
Here he reminds the disputing parties and the Church that they are one in the Lord with a common hope of eternal life and are part of a community of co-workers focused on a common goal.
A practical application for us today is that it makes sense for us to grant one another grace and strive to be at peace, so far as it depends upon us (Romans 12:18).
Foundational to this section is the phrase the “book of life.” This phrase refers to a book in heaven where the names of believers are recorded (Revelation 21:27). (There is no eraser on His cosmic pen.)
The “book of life” is like a family photo album that contains the names of all those who are heaven bound because they have believed in Christ. Paul’s idea is that we believers ought to do everything we can to be on the same page, because we’re in the same book.
However, healthy families aren’t defined by the absence of conflict, but by the way they work through it. Since you and I are going to spend eternity with brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to ensure that we are in harmony down on earth. We must maintain the unity of the church. We must seek peace. The reason is simple: Our names are written in the book of life.
As individuals and as a church, we must turn our conflict into compassion so that we maintain Christian unity and glorify God. Together we must stand fast in the Lord and relate well with others. In 4:4–7 the result of standing fast in the Lord is that it will relieve our anxiety.
- Have a Good Relationship with the Lord (4:4–7).
To keep a good relationship with the Lord means that we must treat others well. How are we to do that?
In these 4 verses, there are several commands. It’s not enough to have compassion for others, but we must willfully trust in the Lord and humble ourselves.
In Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Paul begins with double commands to “rejoice.” But the important object of our rejoicing must be “in the Lord” (see. 3:1). If we would concentrate on rejoicing in the Lord so much of life would fall into place. This command to rejoice is to be fulfilled “always.” This means in every circumstance, particularly as in this context, those times that are adverse.
The first command for a believer is to rejoice.
The verb “rejoice” is an imperative verb that is tied to its object “in the Lord.” This means that to rejoice in the Lord is not a natural ability for a person to do without the Spirit, it’s a gift of the Spirit.
Perhaps you have seen the cartoon that pictures a middle-aged man, pot-bellied, with a frown on his face, wearing a T-shirt that reads “Please don’t ask me to have a nice day.” Or you may identify with W.C. Fields who said, “I start off each day with a smile, and get it over with.”
Yes, Christians struggle with fleeting joy, especially in the midst of conflict, difficulty or discouragement.
Particularly notice in this passage, the believers are encouraged to rejoice even in the midst of a church conflict. In a small church, maybe we should rejoice that there is at least one other person in the church to fight with.
But not only is our conduct with believers to be guarded by God, we should be careful with our relationships with those outside the body.
The second command for believers is to be gentle.
In Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
In the midst any conflict, we are to be found be gentle (see 2:4-7). Proverbs tells us a gentle answer turns away wrath. If someone doesn’t like you; if someone is out to get you, submit and bear them with gentleness. The word translated “gentleness” (Greek epiekes) is best understood as “yielded rights.” We are to be gentle or yielded to the Spirit kind of people.
Paul’s use of the phrase “be known” is significant with the next statement “the Lord is at hand.” People are to realize our gentleness is from the Lord.
But this fascinating phrase: “The Lord is at hand”since this also reminder to believers the Lord is near. “Where two or three are gathered.” He hears the words we speak. He knows our thoughts and motives. He’s in us.
Additionally, He is at hand. He is at the door or our hearts. In Revelation 3:20, God told the same to the Laodicean church.
Remember, Isaiah 26.3 – “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
The third command for a believer is not to be anxious.
In Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
The Greek language is different than our English in that it does not follow word order to make a sentence. For example, for emphasis Greeks would make a sentence start with the prominent word. (Emphatic position)
The first word in the Greek sentence is “nothing” (Greek meden). Paul’s emphatic point is that there is nothing we should worry about—absolutely nothing! The implication is that anxiety or worry is a failure to trust GOD.
Unfortunately, we prefer to coddle our worry and not call it “sin.” It’s difficult for many of us to call a behavior that we commit on a daily basis sin. We would much rather label adultery, homosexuality, or pornography “sin” because we may not be guilty of such behavior. Yet, it is obvious that there are more Christians addicted to anxiety than to all the other addictions combined.
The word translated “anxious” (Greek merimnao) describes being divided and pulled in different directions. I would guess that this describes most of us at times. Worry is a sin all of us grapple with on a daily basis.
A university of Pennsylvania studied the things people worry about. The research discovered that: 40% never happens; 30% concerns the past; 12% are needless worries about health; 10% are about petty issues; and 8% are legitimate concerns. That means that 92% of our “worry time” is wasted on non-reality.
But this passage is saying that we are not to worry even about the 8%. Why is that? Because when we worry we’re really saying that God can’t take care of us, that our problems are bigger than His promises.
What did you worry about this week? How much time did you spend worrying? What did your worrying accomplish? We may build up an ulcer, though. Seriously, there is scientific data that shows that mechanics of the human body breaks down from worry! Worry is a burden God that knows we cannot bear. However, if we choose to worry, He will allow us to suffer the consequences. Let’s confess our worry to the Lord?
Paul indicates that the cure to anxiety is “worry about nothing, pray about everything.” Verse 6 uses no less than four different terms for prayer:
The fourth command for a believer is to pray.
(1) “Prayer” (Greek proseuche): This is the broadest word for communication with God.
(2) “Supplication” (Greek deesis): The word used here conveys the sincere sharing of personal needs and problems.
(3) “Thanksgiving” (Greek eucharistia): Our prayers should be accompanied by a heart of gratitude for all that God has done for us in the past.
(4) “Requests” (Greek aitema): This word speaks of specific petitions rather than vague and hazy generalities.
While worry and prayer can coexist at the same time. It’s important that we substitute worries about others with prayer.
Therefore, when we are tempted to worry, why not attempt to pray? It may be just a five second “arrow prayer” shot up to heaven. Prayer is critical as we seek to break this cherished, evangelical sin.
Finally, what do believers earn as a reward on earth if we stand fast in the Lord? We earn God’s promises, that He will provide.
In Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The phrase “the peace of God” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
The verb “guard” (Greek phroureo) is a military term which refers to a sentry’s responsibility to protect a camp or castle as he marches around securing that which is valuable and strategic.This promise of God, is that He will watch over and guard us. When God’s peace floods our lives, God will protect our hearts from wrong feelings and our minds from wrong thoughts and even make us more healthy.
We rest when we trust in God, and “peace” will be appointed to our minds and emotions, calming us within.
The idea of “peace” in this passage carries the same concept of the meaning of the Hebrew word Shalom. To have God’s shalom means more than peace. It conveys God’s care for us through safety, well-being, delight, wholeness and allows us to flourish. Shalom is about situations that God will set right. We can have “Shalom” that will surpass all our understanding and comprehension of our situation and able to let God guard our heart and mind.
Here are some questions.
1. Do I have a deep love for the members of my church (4:1)? In what specific ways do I verbally express my love and appreciation for my brothers and sisters in Christ? Do I find value and fulfillment in the spiritual maturity of other believers? How is this evident in my life?
2. The last time I was involved in an interpersonal church conflict how did I respond (4:2–3)? How did I grow through this trial? What would I do differently when (not if) an interpersonal conflict happens again? What advice would I give others on how to deal with a similar conflict?
3. How have I learned to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of various crises (4:4)? What does rejoice mean? Can I rejoice when things are out of my control?
4. In what way does Christ help me to work through my relational trials (4:5)? How can I know when to overlook a wrong against me and when to confront it? How do I determine whether a problem is essential or peripheral? Are there shades of gray in between?
5. In the midst of conflict and trials, do I turn my cares over to the Lord (4:6–7)? How can I know when legitimate concern crosses the line into sinful anxiety? How has my prayer life been strengthened through stressful times in my life? How has the Lord brought peace into my life in the midst of despair?