Exposition of Philippians Paul's Exhortations to the Philippians in their Various Circumstances Phil 4:2-9

Outline of Philippians Prologue (1:1-11) – greeting and prayer. Prologue (1:1-11) – greeting and prayer. Paul’s Exhortation to the Philippians as His Partners in the Gospel (1:12 – 4:20) Paul’s Exhortation to the Philippians as His Partners in the Gospel (1:12 – 4:20) Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26) Paul's Personal Circumstances in Advancing the Gospel (1:12-26) Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) Paul's Exhortation to the Philippians to Walk Worthy of the Gospel (1:27 – 4:1) Paul's Exhortations to the Philippians in their Various Circumstances (4:2-9) Paul's Exhortations to the Philippians in their Various Circumstances (4:2-9) Unity Between Euodia and Syntche (4:2-3) Unity Between Euodia and Syntche (4:2-3) Joy, Forbearance, and Peace (4:4-7) Joy, Forbearance, and Peace (4:4-7) Focusing on What is Excellent (4:8-9) Focusing on What is Excellent (4:8-9)

Unity Between Euodia and Syntche (4:2-3) These two women must have been involved in a disagreement which threatened the unity of the body. These two women must have been involved in a disagreement which threatened the unity of the body. He first exhorts the women themselves literally to “think the same way in the Lord,” that is, to live in harmony with one another as sisters in Christ. He first exhorts the women themselves literally to “think the same way in the Lord,” that is, to live in harmony with one another as sisters in Christ. Then he calls on others in the church to assist in the situation, particularly gnh,sie su,zuge. Then he calls on others in the church to assist in the situation, particularly gnh,sie su,zuge. We have little info on Clement and do not know the names of the other co-workers...but their names are in the Book of Life! We have little info on Clement and do not know the names of the other co-workers...but their names are in the Book of Life!

Joy, Forbearance, and Peace (4:4-7) “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Such joy is: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Such joy is: a distinguishing mark of a believer (Rom 12:12); a distinguishing mark of a believer (Rom 12:12); a supernatural fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23); a supernatural fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23); evident even in times of suffering, trial, and sorrow (Rom 5:3-4; 2 Cor 6:10; 8:1-3). evident even in times of suffering, trial, and sorrow (Rom 5:3-4; 2 Cor 6:10; 8:1-3). “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.” “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.” Forbearance includes a willingness to move beyond justice to mercy. Forbearance includes a willingness to move beyond justice to mercy. The incentive for such forbearance is the nearness of the Lord’s imminent return. The incentive for such forbearance is the nearness of the Lord’s imminent return. “Be anxious for nothing.” “Be anxious for nothing.” Speaks of an unreasonable anxiety about the future. Speaks of an unreasonable anxiety about the future. Such anxiety can be eliminated by “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” Such anxiety can be eliminated by “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” The result will be a supernatural peace granted by God that defies human explanation and that stands guard over our inner person. The result will be a supernatural peace granted by God that defies human explanation and that stands guard over our inner person.

Focusing on What is Excellent (4:8-9) A staccato-like list of adjectives to describe virtuous things: A staccato-like list of adjectives to describe virtuous things: true – all that is true in thought, disposition, word, and deed; true – all that is true in thought, disposition, word, and deed; honorable – that which is noble, honorable, worthy of reverence, resulting in an outlook of decency and orderliness; honorable – that which is noble, honorable, worthy of reverence, resulting in an outlook of decency and orderliness; right – not only in human relations, but in accordance with the divine standard, fulfilling the obligation to both God and men; right – not only in human relations, but in accordance with the divine standard, fulfilling the obligation to both God and men; pure – that which is morally pure and upright, including but not limited to sexual purity; pure – that which is morally pure and upright, including but not limited to sexual purity; lovely, pleasing – those things which commend themselves by their intrinsic attractiveness and agreeableness; lovely, pleasing – those things which commend themselves by their intrinsic attractiveness and agreeableness; of good repute – commendable. of good repute – commendable.

Focusing on What is Excellent (4:8-9) Paul sums up and reinforces this list of virtues with two singular nouns that are part of two conditional sentences: “If there is any excellence and anything praise worthy...” Paul sums up and reinforces this list of virtues with two singular nouns that are part of two conditional sentences: “If there is any excellence and anything praise worthy...” “Excellence” here refers to moral excellence, that which is good and correct behavior for Christians. “Excellence” here refers to moral excellence, that which is good and correct behavior for Christians. “Praise worthy” translates a term used often as praise due to God, but also can include good conduct that is praised by fellow men. “Praise worthy” translates a term used often as praise due to God, but also can include good conduct that is praised by fellow men. “Think on these things” (4:8b) indicates a continual frame of mind fixed on the things which Paul has just described. “Think on these things” (4:8b) indicates a continual frame of mind fixed on the things which Paul has just described.

Focusing on What is Excellent (4:8-9) In v. 9 Paul uses a series of four verbs to refer to that which he has passed on to the Philippians: “The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” In v. 9 Paul uses a series of four verbs to refer to that which he has passed on to the Philippians: “The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” The first pair of verbs (“learned and received”) addresses the things that the Philippians learned from Paul by his teaching and instruction. The first pair of verbs (“learned and received”) addresses the things that the Philippians learned from Paul by his teaching and instruction. The last two (“heard and seen”) refer to his personal example. The last two (“heard and seen”) refer to his personal example. All of this was to be put into practice continually by the Philippians, with the result that the God of peace would be with them. All of this was to be put into practice continually by the Philippians, with the result that the God of peace would be with them.

Implications from our Study The state of our relationships with individuals in the church can have an impact on the whole Body. The state of our relationships with individuals in the church can have an impact on the whole Body. Three excellent commands: Three excellent commands: Rejoice always. Rejoice always. Be forbearing towards all men. Be forbearing towards all men. Be anxious for nothing, making full use of prayer. Be anxious for nothing, making full use of prayer. How we think is extremely important in our walk with Christ. What we choose to feed our minds and what we dwell on will have direct impact on our character and behavior. How we think is extremely important in our walk with Christ. What we choose to feed our minds and what we dwell on will have direct impact on our character and behavior.

Next Time: Paul's Joy for the Partnership of the Philippians Phil 4:10-20