Philippians, lesson 10

Lesson 10

Philippians 4:1-7.

V 1, Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

“Therefore”, is the connecting word between Philippians 4 and Philippians 3. Paul addressed the Philippians Christians as his beloved, his longed-for brothers, his joy, and his crown. He implored them (and us) to stand firm in the faith and hold on to the teachings of Christ.

VV 2-3, 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.

Paul implored two women ministers of the Philippians Church, Euodia and Syntyche, to reconcile their differences and misunderstandings. They were co-workers of Paul. Paul implored a “true companion” of the Philippians Church to help them come to terms with their dispute. The identity of this person was not stated. Paul also mentioned Clement and other fellow workers whose names are in the Book of life. The book of life is mentioned in the white throne judgment.

Revelation 20:12-15, “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire”.

VV 4-7, 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. 6 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.

Paul implored the Phipillipians Christians (and us) to always rejoice in Christ and walk in gentleness because Christ’s second coming is imminent. We are to be anxious over nothing but to bring everything to God in prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. God’s peace will comfort our hearts and protect our minds. Joy, prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving are the remedies for anxiety.

Philippians 4:6 is a memory verse. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”.

Anxiety is the opposite of peace. Surrender all your anxieties over to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”.

Numbers 6:26, “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”