Euodias and Syntyche
Phil 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Paul speaks with loving words, my beloved; he loved these people as Christ commanded. We long to be with those we love.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
My joy and crown; He had brought these people to Jesus bringing all much joy and bringing Paul a crown of joy in heaven. This is a crown as a winner in a race, a victors crown which he will receive when he finishes the course. The race of life is not over, there are still many needing to be received by our Lord.
1 Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
This is a crown as a winner in a race, a victors crown which he will receive when he finishes the course. The race of life is not over, there are still many needing to be received by our Lord.
So stand fast in the Lord; stand firm in his promises, persevere, keep going and don't give up.
1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
Phil 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntych, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Conflicts in the church destroy the unity and without unity not much is accomplished for the Lord. These were two women at odds, perhaps still relying on the things of the world. One teacher described the names as Odious (hateful) and Sin touched. We are to abide in the mind of Christ and live with love being our guide, with the fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Phil 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Paul had someone in mind that this letter was delivered too, he was a fellow servant of the Lord, yoked together with the Lord in his service. He asks him to help the women who were at odds, for they had labored together earlier with Paul delivering the gospel message. Clement and others whose name was written in the book of life also were fellow laborers.
These two women who served with Paul delivering the good news of Christ, shall always be remembered by their quarrel, their inability to get along with each other. How will we be remembered? Hopefully with love as fellow laborers in Christ. Conform to the mind of Christ, put away the old man and live the new life in His Spirit, blessing others with the fruit of the Spirit.
Rejoice and Pray
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
When do we rejoice? Not just when things are going well, or we feel good, but rejoice in the Lord always. The Lord Jesus is greater than any circumstance. But you say "you don't understand, I am treated badly, people say bad things about me." The lord understands, he spoke of this;
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Jesus loves us, no matter what goes on here, we are with him, he is our home, REJOICE!
Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Do not be filled with cares and worries; speak to your Father God your needs, with thanksgiving, with no grumbling, come to him honestly and with faith. WE are to share the big things and the small with God. Our attitude should be one of constant prayer.
1 Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
When we leave God out of our problems, then we get upset. Do you believe that he hears your prayers?
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
One benefit of belonging to God is the peace that you receive. No matter what comes your way there is the peace of God. If you do not have peace, perhaps you have not given yourself completely to God. He wants all of you, do you think you can do better by yourself? Jesus has paid to set you free, let go of that thing that keeps you from his perfect peace.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
This peace is not from our understanding, it is from God. Let go of that which is causing you anxiety, you can't do what only God promises to do for you. It is a God thing, trust him and relax in his peace. The life you live now is in the care of our Lord, he will keep you in perfect peace.
Be aware that we have a spiritual enemy and resist him with the word of faith. Take your troubles to Jesus, he cares for you.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
We need to do somethings too...
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Your brothers and sisters have problems too. The devil accuses and lies and attempts to stop you, by depression, lack of confidence, lack of hope. Keep alert, and keep in God's word of faith. Stay connected in prayer and pray for one another.
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
Pray in your closet and pray together. God is in your prayers. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty and peace. Give your cares to Jesus, as the hymn says:
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief's to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
O What peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
Good Things
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Paul writes from his house prison that we are to seek the better things. He lists eight things to seek in our Christian choices.
Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
true : unconcealed, true to fact, without partiality, and without hypocrisy
Truth comes from God , he has shown us truth through the law and the prophets and finally through his Son Jesus. Through Jesus we receive His word of truth.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Having received the testimony of Jesus, we become new creations sealed by the Holy Spirit. His Spirit testifies that Gods word is true. We know in part but Jesus has the fullness of Gods Spirit.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
How can truth and error abide in our hearts? We are to choose to follow the word of truth, not worldly or demonic error. Sorry, no horoscopes for a child of God. We must speak the truth.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
God has shed his love abroad into our hearts, We are to love one another without deceit. No hidden daggers of jealousy or gossip.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
whatsoever things [are] honest,
honest: A character trait...being true, trustworthy, honorable, honest and good, worthy of respect
We were taught that George Washington was an honest man. It is hard to be led by someone who is a liar. We are to be trustworthy and true to Gods word. A persons reputation is his honour. We dont want to live lives that would bring dishonor to our Lord.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
whatsoever things [are] just,
just: in accordance to Gods laws, perfect agreement between his nature and his acts
We must walk our talk. We will be held accountble for every idle word or deed. Will we be rewarded at his return? Are we the cause of blessings to our families?
Pro 20:7 The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him.
John the Baptist was true to what God called him to be. He preached repentence, and preparation for the coming Messiah. John didnt teach "tolerance," or that God is "love", and he will wink at your sin. Jesus lived a life true to his words, and gained respect even from those who were not of faith.
Mar 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
whatsoever things [are] pure,
pure: not contaminated. no sin mixed in
A christian is made the righteousness of God by Jesus' death and resurrection, by faith in him. We need to be his disciples, knowing right from wrong. Do we know and walk in His truth? Are we pure from the contamination of the flesh, the world and the devil? We are not to invite evil into our lives.
Tts 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tts 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy
whatsoever things [are] lovely,
lovely: pleasing, agreeable
I do not like strife and divisions, this is not pleasing to the Lord. As a photographer I seek to capture things that are lovely, usually things of God's own making. There is an opposing spirit that dominates the news media, and a spirit of pornography that is always trying to invade our privacy. We are to focus on lovely things, and cast down the works of the evil one. Jesus is the most lovely name above all names.
Sgs 5:16 His mouth [is] most sweet: yea, he [is] altogether lovely. This [is] my beloved, and this [is] my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
Music and the arts can be lovely and uplifting. But nothing should fill our hearts and replace our worship, and love for the Lord. The words of God are more than lovely, they must be heeded.
Eze 33:32 And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
whatsoever things [are] of good report;
good report: uttering good words
The Spirit of God came to Cornelius a gentile.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
No man can receive the good report from God without faith.
Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hbr 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
if [there be] any virtue,
virtue: moral goodness, moral excellence
There are some really bad role models in the world. Kids follow them, for example orange Raudman hair, Shameless blasphemy from Rock stars. Peoples lives are being shaped by wrongmodels of behavior. How important it is for us to model our beviour from our Lord and his word.
Pro 12:4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
praise: commendation, praiseworthy
We should make it a habit to comment on the good behavior and words of others. Edifying the body of Christ. Those who follow the wrong spirit should be warned in accordance with Gods word, in love. We are not the final judge, but we reflect his true light. We will judge with him in due time.
1Cr 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Phl 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Thank You Jesus, you are all of these things...
True
Honest
Just
Pure
Lovely
Good Report
Virtue
Praise
Think on these things
Be Content
Phil 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
We should be as Paul, examples to new believers of what a Spirit filled Christian should be like. As a young person I looked to older people as role models. It takes faith to believe when you are a small child, that someday you will be like an older brother or father that you respect. Paul was as a father to those that he led to the grace of Jesus, his life was their example. What character traits does he mention in the following verses?
Phil 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.
He rejoiced to hear from his beloved family in Christ. He knew they cared for him, but now he has received Epaphroditus, (Phil 2:25) who helped him and brought him gifts from the church, a man who became ill almost to death, but who now was returning to them.
Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Phil 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
He was content with his provision from the Lord. He knew how to be humbled and to increase; he was instructed, he has learned to be content in lacking or in abundance, as he will rejoice in all circumstances.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Our supply comes from our Lord, what he provides we accept with grateful hearts. There is no covetousness in this. What the Lord desires we can do, there is no limit, because the Lord is our strength, and he strengthens us.
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Phil 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Though Paul trusted the Lord for all things, he thanked those who the Lord used to bless him. The Lord uses people to do his work. Are we available for the Masters service? If so then we will be a blessing from the Lord to others.
Follow Paul's example, be content with what you have received. Trust in the Lord and you will do great and mighty things, for the Lord is with you. It is he that uses you to bless others and to be blessed. I trust you Lord Jesus, I shall not lack any good thing.
Conclusion
Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Phil 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
It is rare to find a ministry on the radio or TV that is not asking for money. Whether this is right or not, it is a hindrance to the message. The church of Philippi voluntarily gave without being asked. Paul received support, but actually he worked for his needs.
1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
Phil 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
We give to the Lord, and the reward is heavenly.
Phil 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Paul concludes the epistle
Phil 4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Phil 4:21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
Phil 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
As mentioned earlier, Paul's witnessing to his guards resulted in converts in Ceasar's household.
Phil 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Read Philippians over again and you will find many encouraging verses. I found these to be of special interest:
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Gary
Philippians Chapters
Philippians 3
Philippians 2
Philippians 1