Philippians Chapter 4

Philippians 4:1-5 “ Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.  ² 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. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Paul encouraged the Philippians to walk in unity and to rejoice in the Lord and to help ministers who were laboring in the gospel.

Philippians 4:6-9 ”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Paul urged them to be anxious for nothing but to pray about everything and offer thanksgiving to God for answering their prayers.  When we choose to put our trust in God instead of worrying, His peace will guard our hearts and minds.  Notice Paul spoke of the peace of God and the God of peace.  God is a God of peace.  The peace to which Paul refers is the peace between God and men.  With all the things that happen in life, what is the most important thing that we should be focused on?  Jesus said if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things would be added to us.  The kingdom of God is within us when we are born again.  His righteousness is a free gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus.  These are the things that are true and noble and just and pure and lovely.  These are the things that are worth our praise to God.  Focus on these things and the peace of God will guard our hearts in the midst of circumstances.  

Philippians 4:10-14 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  ¹⁴ Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

Paul had learned a great lesson.  He had learned to be content in whatever circumstances that he encountered.  Contentment is a learned process.  Paul went through times when he was distressed financially and in his surrounding circumstances.  He went through shipwreck, physical beatings, imprisonment and persecution.  His reputation was smeared for preaching the gospel of the grace of God.  He said that in every circumstance and in all things he had learned to be content.  At times he suffered need and at other times he abounded in good things.  We should all learn contentment in our Lord and not let our outlook be controlled by the circumstances around us.  Paul said that he could do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  The actual context is that he would thrive whether he was abounding in material things or suffering need at the moment.  That is a person who is focused on eternal things.   

Philippians 4:15-23 “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.  ²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.  ²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

The church at Philippi financially supported Paul as he went about preaching the gospel.  They supported him at a time when no other church did.  Paul said that no church shared with him concerning giving and receiving but them only.  When we give to support the gospel, God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  That is for our life here on earth.  When we give, God will also reward us when we get to heaven.  The fruit that abounds to our account are the lives that are changed by the preaching of the gospel.  This has eternal reward as well as reward in this life.  God wants us to prosper so that our needs are met and that we can help others.

Keith Oliver