6:25-34 and I Pet. 4:7 "the peace of God" It is interesting that in this context the peace of God is mentioned in v. 7 and the God who gives it is mentioned in v. 9. 5:17-18; I Tim. Paul's list is similar to the Stoics' lists of virtues. Paul opens the second chapter with a charge to be unified by the “same mind.” A key to unity is humility of mind. Philippians 4:12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject. This does not mean that they will have more for personal use, but more to give to gospel causes! 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. How they solve them as Christians is the issue, and the witness! PHILIPPIANS TOTAL CHAPTERS: 4 PHILIPPIANS TOTAL VERSES: 104 TOTAL WORDS: 2,002 DATE WRITTEN: 61 AD AUTHOR: Paul PHILIPPIANS THEME: Joy Of Life In Christ. The family metaphors used for God (Father, Son) help humans understand His nature and character. This word "near" is used of time (cf. Mentality. 5:21-22). Prayer of Application. To focus on one aspect or the other is to miss the point! 3:3; Titus 3:2; James 3:17; I Pet. Recapping earlier appeals (Philippians 4:1-3) Although distinctive statements of their own, Philippians 4:1-3 serves primarily to conclude Philippians 3:1-21 — and to reiterate earlier themes (Philippians 1:27-2:18). Phlp 4.10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. The rabbis saw the mind as the seed-bed of the soul. a. Rejoice: Despite the circumstance from which it was written, joy is all over the letter to the Philippians. God will do His part in the believers' lives through grace, but they must participate by removing those things that they know will draw their heart away from the Lord (cf. 2Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. He even allowed them to send him money (cf. ▣ "to help these women" This is a present middle imperative which literally means "take hold with." What does the Bible say to the church, and to the individual Christian, about the role of politics in the church? Usually one side emphasizes God's involvement and the other, mankind's. Gen. 8:21; Exod. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:21-23 21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Eph. Jesus is called the Lord of peace in II Thess. "Needs" must be defined. 30:7-9). He uses the words rejoice or joy 13 times in 11 verses! It is very similar to the phrase found in Rom. It also relates to perseverance (see Special Topic at 1:9-11), which is only possible "in the Lord" (cf. Philippians 2:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT) Have the Attitude of Christ. This is a present middle imperative. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Remember, believers are individually gifted at salvation for the common good (cf. This time, he strongly emphasizes that such an attitude should be constant, not temporary. Q. 9:8; I Tim. It is followed in v. 22 by the plural form. The second word means "much more than is needed for daily life." They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive. Acts 15:36-41). 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. This church was the proof of Paul's effective apostleship (cf. 6:9; Rev. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in … 15:33; 16:20; II Cor. Summary. Mentality. Philippians, Theology of. This includes prayers and encouragement (Philippians 4:1–9) and a focus on God's provision (Philippians 4:10–20), followed by a short conclusion (Philippians 4:21–23). NJB and Moulton and Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament, p. 607), which would have been a play on the meaning of the name. Possibly, thanksgiving and perseverance are the two missing elements in a proper theology of prayer. topics." PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: The church at Philippi had sent a gift to Paul in Rome by the hand of Epaphroditus (Phl 4:10,18). I Cor. Philippians 4:4-8 - NIV: Rejoice in the Lord always. See Special Topic: Saints at Col. 1:2. A Study of Philippians 2:1-4 Living Humbly as Servants of Christ (Phil 2:1-11). — Philippians 4:2 My husband and I had recently moved into our house when a man dropped off a large box of strawberries on our front sidewalk. He left a note saying he wanted us to share them with our neighbors. Philippians 4:4 (based on Ps 73:1-28 )Thanksgiving Message by Dr. Warren Wiersbe; ... Deals admirably with the theme of the epistle. There is an obvious contrast between "for nothing" and "in everything." God's ways are beyond our ways (cf. ▣ "stand firm" This is a Present active imperative. However, Paul immediately clarifies that he really was not in a state of need requiring a gift from them because he has learned how to be content with whatever he has (4:11). Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Knowing Jesus is a deeply personal and transformative encounter. However, Origen of Alexandria, Eusebius, and Jerome believed that it refers to Clement of Rome who wrote a letter to the Corinthian church sometime toward the end of the first century (a.d. 95). ▣ "pure" This is used in the sense of moral purity (cf. Vincent's Word Studies. 5:7). pp. Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 6:6,8; Heb. You must not relinquish this to a commentator. NASB, NRSV,NJB"be with your spirit"NKJV, TEV"be with you all", This refers to the human person. It seems to have been used in the sense of "dignity" with "attractiveness" toward both the saved and the lost. The key is the believers' relationship to Christ ("in the Lord"). Paul opens the second chapter with a charge to be unified by the “same mind.” 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 18:31 with Ezek. Philippians and Redemptive History. But during his time in Rome, Epaphroditus took ill, which delayed his return home and, therefore, the delivery of the letter (2:26–27). Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Gal. ▣ "Clement" This is a common name in the Roman world. I Pet. ▣ "which surpasses all comprehension" This is a present active participle. The example of Christ was that he did not allow his position and status to be something used for selfishness. WordShaping: In two ways, in particular, Philippians gives us glimpses into the whole scope of Like-mindedness is certainly a key element to the book of Philippians. 16:21; Gal. This same beautiful truth of God's garrisoning of His children can be seen in I Peter 1:4, 5. Somehow, both are true. 5. He speaks up about how he is glad the Philippians have revived their concern for him and have now found an opportunity to show it (4:10). ▣ "in Christ Jesus" He is the key to Paul's theology. These relate to Paul's activities in Philippi. 32:32; Ps. … With this church he did not feel the need to assert his Apostolic authority. It is impossible to be a spiritual "lone ranger." It … [Phil 4:2–3] In the latter part of the chapter (Letter A), Paul expresses his gratitude for the gifts that the Philippians had sent him, and assures them that God will reward them for their generosity. 2:12,15; 3:16), NASB, NRSV,NJB"The Lord is near"NKJV"The Lord is at hand"TEV"The Lord is coming soon". 16:24; II Cor. All of God's benefits and blessings flow to fallen mankind through the life, teachings, death, resurrection, Second Coming and personal union with Jesus Christ. The resumption of them in Philippians 4:4, where the actual conclusion now begins, is striking. This is the continued theme of Philippians. 1:6. Philippians 2:6-11 in its Context. Pro. 2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Chapter 4. See Special Topic: Wealth at Eph. This is often translated literally as "yoke-fellow" (cf. 1:60. 18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. In this verse believers are commanded to "stand firm," while in Jude v. 24 it is God who keeps them standing. Q. As with the Hauptbriefe, Philippians has enjoyed virtually full acceptance. Matt. But the people Paul met, and the experiences of God’s great mercy and power in Philippi left a deep impression and care upon the apostle who wrote: “My brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 4:1). Purpose. Some Greek texts, אc, K, and the Textus Receptus (NKJV), have "with you all," which was Paul's close in I Cor. The book of life includes the names of the redeemed and can be seen in Exod. Hab. 58:6; 139:16; Isa. 3. See Special Topic: Peace at Col. 1:20. The "we" sections of Acts start and stop at Philippi. 4:19 "My God shall supply all your needs" This is not a blank check from God! ▣ "the profit which increases to your account" This is another commercial metaphor which refers to the interest that accrued and was deposited in another's account. (4) Paul repeats a major theme of the letter. Is verse 10 a negative statement by Paul to chide the Philippians for not helping him? 25:31-46; Rev. If you follow the suggestions above, you will begin to see distinct sections that are all united by common themes. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. It refers to being socially acceptable to a culture for the purpose of attracting people to God (cf. Paul encourages the Philippians to live as citizens of a heavenly city, growing in their commitment to serve God and one another. 5:2. 3:18 and Titus 3:15. 2:1). Philippians 4:8 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 … This call to Christian lifestyle began in 3:1, but the discussion of the false teachers drew Paul's mind away until this point where he renews the emphasis. Paul was not saying that he was self-sufficient, but that he was Jesus-sufficient ("in the Lord," v. 10). ... Philippians 4:2­-9 Study Philippians – A Life Worthy of the Gospel Bible Study, Philippians 4, Joy; The church at Philippi was under great tension, both from without and within. In part of this country in the 1980s, when wolves were in danger of extinction, there was a special bounty offered for wolves caught alive. 4:10 "I rejoiced" Paul is so appreciative of this church's help (money, concern, prayers, Epaphroditus). NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:15-20 15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27. I Cor. 11:8-9, which implies that the other churches of Macedonia also helped Paul. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first term is translated "humbled" in 2:8, where it is used of Jesus. 4:13 The term "Christ" found in the King James Version does not occur in this verse in the oldest Greek manuscripts (א*, A, B, or D*). Unity for the Sake of the Gospel. See Special Topic: Heart at Col. 2:2. vv. If such is truly the case, then Paul wrote Philippians around 61-63 A.D. from Rome. Believers are vitally united with Him. The Lord is near. Do not be just hearers, but doers (cf. Phlp 4.4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. He realized that they would receive a blessing from God for their stewardship and generosity in the gospel. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. ▣ "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity" The two "I knows" are perfect active indicatives. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Phil. Identify the subjects. 4:8-9 This continues the emphasis on the believer's thought life. Be carful of the modern western overemphasis on individual rights and freedoms. Will always supply those who are generous givers with more to give anxiety is not with... Main themes this seems to have been used in a corporate sense gospel Bible,... 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