Philippians 4:4-7 - How to Live in Joy
Phil. 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. 5) Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6) Do not worry about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellent and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9) Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Background: Controversy has erupted in the church in Philippi. This church, one of Paul’s most beloved and faithful, threatens to be split by an argument between two of its most influential and beloved leaders, Euodia and Syntyche. In Philippi, as opposed to most of the ancient world, women and men shared power and authority in almost every arena of life. This was also reflected in the church. These women were deacons and spiritual leaders. This is not only a painful personality dispute, but also a theological skirmish. This made for a real crisis in the church. Not only are they being undermined by Jewish missionaries who are confusing them about the importance of the law, they are being torn apart from within over other issues. We do not know what the controversy was between these two women and their camps. Apparently that was not what was important to Paul. What mattered to him was that their different points of view threatened to destroy the church.
Word Study
Vs. 4 – Rejoice – here rejoicing is an attitude, not just a feeling.
Always – in all situations
In the Lord – same phrase as used to tie Euodia and Syntyche together. In the Lord makes oneness possible. In the Lord also makes rejoicing possible.
Vs. 5 – gentleness – (toward others), the attitude of graciousness and magnanimity that is shown in situations when one could legitimately stand on ones ‘rights’. And yet, for the sake of others, does not insist on those rights. (Richard Peace)
The Lord is near – could refer to the second coming or to the reality that Christ is always near via the Spirit
Vs. 6 – do not worry – or be anxious. For Paul, worry and anxiety indicated a lack of confidence in the Lord.
Prayer, supplication, requests – Paul uses these words synonymously here to reinforce the notion that in every situation one is to openly come before God with all one’s needs.
Thanksgiving – indicates that we are confident of God’s goodness and power in our difficulties.
Vs. 7 – the peace of God – used only here in New Testament. Not peace with God or peace from God. This refers to God’s very nature. It is the experience of God’s inner character that God is offering to share with the people.
Surpasses all understanding – we can never fully understand the wonder of God’s character. This is a gentle reminder that to try to do so is not only futile but robs us of the experience itself.
Guard – the garrison of soldiers charged with guarding all sides of a city.
Hearts – interior essence, the will plus the emotions
Minds – purposes
Vs. 8 – true – real; refers to sincerity and accuracy in thought, word, deed and attitude
Honorable – noble, those majestic things that command respect and lift ones mind from the mundane
Just – right; giving to God and others that which is their due in God’s realm of accounting
Pure – holy, free from sin in aspects of life
Pleasing – agreeable, lovely, a pleasant, a friendly person who calls forth love from others.
Commendable – admirable, good without debate
Excellence – a word from Stoic philosophy. It refers to moral excellence.
Worthy of praise - refers to behavior that is universally praised, both by those within and those outside the faith.
Think about – to think critically about; to put the best of your mind toward grasping the real truth of something.
Vs. 9 – learned, received, etc – what they got in their church training lessons from Paul.
Questions for Personal reflection
- Rejoicing is at the heart of the Christian experience. The kind of joy we are called into in not always the same as happiness. It is deeper, rooted in the assurance of God’s love and presence in all things. About what do you rejoice this Advent season?
- Paul indicates that a key to joy is choosing a proper mindset. What are the aspects of such a mindset?
- What do you spend most of your time thinking about? Do you find that what you think about most is helpful or hurtful to you in terms of your peace of mind or of solving your problems?
- Prepare Christ room this week by focusing on joy and rejoicing. Make a list each night before you go to sleep of all of the blessings of the day. Thank God for the goodness in your life. Think of each prayer of gratitude as your preparation for Christ to become more real to you this Christmas.