Philippians chapter 4

 

Memory verse: Philippians 4:13

 

The church in Philippi was founded in Acts 16:12-40. Paul has a vision in Acts 16:9 about Macedonia, of which Philippi was the main city. Paul and Silas went there and met a woman named Lydia. She had her household responded to the gospel, and were baptized, and thus the church in Philippi was started. Later, Paul cast a spirit out of a girl which led to him and Silas being cast into prison. God miraculously delivered them, and the jailer and his household believed and were baptized that very night. An important theme of the book of Philippians is to have no confidence in the fleshly and earthy, but to trust in God and keep our perspective based in the eternal things. Paul referred to having a unified mind on these things 7 times (Philippians 1:27, 2:2 & 3 & 5, 3:16 & 19, and 4:2). Chapter 4 has as a general topic trusting God to provide.

 

Day 1 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Verses 1-5

Paul addresses the church as dearly beloved, longed for, and his joy and crown. Paul’s ministry was his life. Those he ministered to were only second to God in giving him fulfillment. He was blessed by them serving the Lord. There were 2 women in the church at Philippi that were divided about an unnamed issue. Paul begged them to restore their unity. He apparently is writing the pastor of the church to help those labored with him in the gospel. Their names are in the book of life (Psalm 69:28, Daniel 12:1, Luke 10:20, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 20:12 &15, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:19). People think of joy as an emotion that we get from good things happening to us. The joy that Christians have is much like the peace they have. It has nothing to do with favorable circumstances. Joy is actually a commandment. It can only be chosen by those who love God. The world cannot know what true joy is just as they cannot know what true peace is. They are both only available to those who are righteous before God (Romans 14:17). True joy only comes to those who choose to rejoice in the Lord because of their relationship with Him which transcends circumstances it is eternal. It is when we rejoice in what God rejoices in (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 137:6, Luke 10:17-21, 1Corinthians 13:6). We should not base our relationship with God on an emotional roller coaster. We should base it on the principles of His word. Then we can have joy always. That does not mean we will never experience emotions. It means that underneath every situation are the everlasting arms of God upholding us (Deuteronomy 33:27). That is our stability at all times (Isaiah 33:6). Moderation is another key to a consistent relationship with God. Some things we abstain from because they are evil (Acts 15:20 & 29, 1Thessalonians 4:3, 1Peter 2:11). Other things are not exactly forbidden but best mostly avoided (1Corinthians 6:12, 1Corinthians 10:23). Other things are good, but only in moderation (Proverbs 30:7-9). Moderation also means more than just how much food we eat or how much money we spend on clothes. The word translated moderation here is also translated gentle (Titus 3:2, James 3:17, 1Peter 2:18), and patient (1Timothy 3:3). We need to be holy not just in body, but in spirit (1Corinthians 7:34, 2Corinthians 7:1).

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – be careful for nothing

Verses 6-9

Don’t be careful here does not mean don’t be concerned about anything, or don’t take care of responsibility. It means don’t let fear and worry rule you instead of faith. Don’t let anxiety take your peace with God. Pray about everything, thanking and trusting God. We don’t have to understand everything to have peace. We need to trust God. Then His peace will be like a guard protecting a garrison from invasion, keeping our hearts and minds from invading fear, doubt, and worry. What we think about determines our perspective on life. If we think about the goodness of God and the virtuous things, we will see that not all is bad. It is not just positive thinking generated by the will of man. It is seeing the goodness of God in everything, even if the situation itself is not good. How we think determines how we act and talk. If we fill ourselves with the word of God, it will help us think, talk, and act well.

 

Day 3 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Verses 10-14

Paul rejoiced that the Philippians were thoughtful of him. It was not that Paul was talking about his financial needs. It was that the Philippians were thinking about Paul even though he was in prison about 800 miles away in Rome. He had been through many things (2Corinthians 11:23-28). He had learned how to be happy in God regardless of the circumstances. Whether circumstances were good or bad, they did not affect his relationship with God (Acts 20:24). He could handle prosperity and poverty the same. This is the context of the oft quoted “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. Yet it was good for the Philippians to remember their leader and honor him (Hebrews 13:7 & 17), especially when he was in need.

 

Day 4 – my God shall supply all your need

Verses 15-19

The church at Philippi was the only one that helped Paul financially. They even sent aid to him when he was ministering in other cities such as Thessalonica. While he was there, they took offerings several times, and sent them to him. Paul was not mentioning this because he was greedy, but because he wanted them to realize that not only he, but God Himself appreciated their sacrifices. It was like they had made an animal or incense offering that smelled good to God. The Lord was not only blessed by them. He would see to it that that their needs were also met because of their giving. That is how sacrifice works. When we let go of what we have, we open our hands to receive more. We when care for others, we forget about our selfish focus, and God honors our service by taking care of us. We gain by losing (Proverbs 13:7, Acts 20:35, 2Corinthians 8:9). This is the context of another famous quote, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

 

Day 5 – salute every saint in Christ Jesus

Verses 20-23

A salute was not a military hand gesture in passing. It was also not a quick one or two word greeting as a courtesy. We often ask “how are you doing?” as we pass each other. We do not mean to actually get an answer to that. We understand it is just a courteous greeting as we pass to acknowledge each other. We keep walking. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, “a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting”. A kiss was not just a romantic contact or a familial greeting in their day and culture (2Samuel 20:9, Matthew 26:48, Luke 7:45, Romans 16:16, 1Corinthians 16:20, 2Corinthians 13:12, 1Thessalonians 5:26, 1Peter 5:14). We are not only to show casual respect and courtesy, we are to be genuinely concerned with brotherly love about the welfare of others. This is especially true of our fellow Christians (Galatians 6:10), but also even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Historians say that Paul was a very successful soul winner while in prison in Rome. There were Christians in Caesar’s household. The church often focuses on reaching the poor and lowly, and it should; but we should not forget that God wants to save everybody. People in high places have the same problems as everyone else. In fact, often their lives are worse. Jesus and the apostles reached out to these people. Here are examples:

   1. Nicodemus and Joseph were members of the Sanhedrin: Luke 23:50-56, John 3:1,

        John 7:50-52, John 19:38-42

   2. The Sanhedrin: John 12:42-43

   3. Priests and Levites by John: Matthew 3:7-10, John 1:29

   4. Nobleman: John 4:46:54

   5. High priest: John 18:15-16

   6. Herod by John: Mark 6:16-29

   7. Centurions: Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 27:54

   8. Theophilus: Luke 1:1-4, Acts 1:1, Acts 23:26, Acts 24:3, Acts 26:25

   9. Joanna wife of Herod’s steward: Luke 8:3

   10. Priests, Captain of the temple, Sadducees: Acts 4:1-21, Acts 5:24-32

   11. Barnabas the Levite: Acts 4:36

   12. Great company of priests: Acts 6:7

   13. Ethiopian of great authority: Acts 8:27

   14. Paul: Acts 9:10-18, Acts 22:3-5, Philippians 3:4-6

   15. Kings: Acts 9:15

   16. Cornelius the centurion: Acts 10:1

   17. Manaen, brought up with Herod: Acts 13:1

   18. Sergius Paulus, deputy of country: Acts 13:7 & 12

   19. Pharisees which believed: Acts 15:5

   20. Philippian warden: Acts 16:27 & 33-34

   21. Dionysius the Areopagite: Acts 17:34

   22. Crispus chief ruler of synagogue: Acts 18:8

   23. Sceva chief of priests: Acts 19:14

   24. Felix the governor: Acts 23:26, Acts 24:22 & 25

   25. King Agrippa: Acts 26:3 & 26-29

   26. Publius the chief man: Acts 28:7-10

   27. Erastus the chamberlain: Romans 16:23

   28. Those in Caesar’s palace: Philippians 1:13

   29. Ceasar’s household: Philippians 4:22

   30. Zenas the lawyer – Titus 3:13