Bible Study Lesson on Facing Life's Tensions
Philippians chapter 4.
1. Exhortations; 2. Commands; 3 Grateful acknowledgments; 4. Customary salutations.
First Exhortations. 1. To stand fast in the Lord. 2. For two who apparently were alienated to be reconciled; 3. He entreats his 'true yoke-fellow to help those women who had laboured with him in the gospel. (Verse 3).
Verses 4-9.
4 ¶ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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.
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.
He commands them to rejoice in the Lord always; to let their moderation be known to all; to have no anxiety about worldly matters - in necessities to go to God - to do whatever was honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Third, a grateful acknowledgment of their kindness (verses 10-19) that again they had showed their care in relieving his necessities - though he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He mentions that their church was the only one that had helped him in Macedonia, and more than once in Thessalonica. Their present offering was acceptable to God, who would abundantly reward them in verses 15-20.
Finally, Salutations end the chapter and the letter in verses 21-23.
The important points:
1. The opening word 'therefore' undoubtedly refers back to the solemn words of the previous chapter.
Now what they are required to do. Since many professed Christians were not sincere - Paul exhorts these believers to stand fast in the Lord, that the 'citizenship' of all true Christians was in heaven - that Christians looked for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Who was to make them like unto Himself.
Paul addresses them tenderly and earnestly in concern for their welfare. He is also seriously aware of their danger.
He rejoiced in their having been converted under him, in their holy walk, and in their friendship. He calls them his crown - an emblem of future reward. He thought it a high honour to have been the means of founding such a church. He looked upon it as the diadem of his work for Christ Jesus.
2. Since few things hinder the cause of Christ more than disputes and bickering among church members, Paul calls upon two women to live in harmony, to be of the same mind in the Lord. Whoever is at fault - both are exhorted to reconciliation.
3. It is our duty and privilege to always rejoice in the Lord. His promises are the same today as yesterday, His rule of the universe is the same, His mercy, His love is the same. If a Christian will look to God and not to himself and his immediate situation, if he looks to heaven and not to earth, he will find continuing and substantial sources of joy. Only in God is this true. All other sources will ultimately fail us.
4. It is our privilege to commit everything to God, that no anxiety will be felt about anything. Only in such confidence in God can a person find peace - far above any that the world offers.
5. It is the duty of Christians to be upright in every way - to be pure, true, righteous, and lovely.
The people of the world judge the value of a person's religion by the character of the life of its professed members. Even as one sinful habit exhibited by a Christian crosses out whatever good is pursued, so also within a church one member who fails to lead a moral and upright life will do much to neutralize or destroy most of the good that can be done by all the rest of the church.
6. It is the duty of Christians to show kindness to the ministers of the gospel, especially in hard times. Paul commended the efforts of the Philippians - though this was their reasonable service. He had certainly done more for them. Paul at this time couldn't do for himself, being held prisoner and the Philippians responded to his need as they should. This is often not the case today.
7. Let us learn to be contented with our present condition (verses 11,12). This is a lesson Paul learned over a period of time by experience. It does not come naturally - we do more seeking that which we have not, envious of others and impatient and unsatisfied. If our faith is strong and our experience meaningful, we will feel that there is God's purpose in the way things are - whether we are poor, persecuted, in need, or sick - or well off and comfortable.
Paul was a prisoner, poor, among strangers, having neither wife nor children, about to be tried for his life and probably put to death - yet he had learned to be content in Christ.
8. In all these things, let us put our trust in the Saviour (verse 13), rely on His strength, and not our own. Whether through prosperity or in want, through temptation and in duty, may we, through the immeasurable mercy and grace of God, continually confide in and depend on Jesus - and to practice all the duties so tenderly suggested to the Philippian Christians and to us by this prisoner in the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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