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Then the peace of The God that transcends all thought1 will safeguard all of your hearts2 and mental thinking3 in union with Christ Jesus.
| 1 | Then the peace of The God that transcends all thought: Or, KJV: which passeth all understanding; MOF: surpasses all our dreams; NAS: surpasses all comprehension. Meditative prayer to the “Hearer of Prayer” will produce an inner tranquility that rests the soul, eases any anxiety, and changes mental attitudes. It is difficult, if not impossible, to pray for peace, and yet continue to be a source of disunity or contention in a congregation. Such prayers will move the petitioner to contribute to church harmony. [John 14:27; Romans 5:1] The first benefit of prayer is INNER TRANQUILITY. All is at rest within the soul. |
| 2 | Safeguard all of your hearts: Or, KJV: keep your hearts; WEY: be a garrison to guard. The second benefit of prayer is HEART PROTECTION. [Colossians 3:15] |
| 3 | And mental thinking: Or, minds, thoughts. Prayer contributes to healthy thinking, protecting thoughts from drifting into ungodly ideas and attitudes. The third benefit of prayer is HEALTHY THINKING. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Philippians 4:7 as the theme verse of chapter four – Wholesome Thinking. The whole letter has been stressing the right mental attitude and Paul pushes this subject to its conclusion. He exhorts the overseers, deacons and congregation to “continue to stand firm.” [1] It is possible some sisters were part of a problem and so he urges Euodia and Syntyche to have the same mental attitude. [2, 3]
Attitudes are framed by heart and mind. Paul shows that joy and peace will come if the heart and mind are safeguarded. [4-7] He virtually alludes to the Nazarene Master’s Sayings when he urges, “None of you be anxious over anything.” The “peace that transcends all thought” only occurs through prayer. If the heart and mind are to be safeguard then what must the Christian think about? Paul lists several areas to be carefully considered. [8, 9] The God of peace will be with those who continually dwell on everything that is true, serious, righteous, chaste, loving, reputable, virtuous and praise-worthy.
If there is one thing that can destroy mental tranquility and cause anxiety it is constant worry over basic needs and security. Paul writes of “the secret of contentment.” [10-13] Like Paul, Christians need to “remain independent” if possible. How to have and have not. How to learn to be satisfied with the important things in life. Strength to achieve this right attitude toward security and necessity comes from “the One empowering me.”
Of course, such a life will require certain sacrifices. [14-20] Paul made such sacrifices that pleased God and of all the congregations only the Philippians came to his material aid. Unlike some tele-evangelists in modern times Paul was not “seeking after such material gifts.”
Abba our Father bless us in good and bad times.
[10 July 2002]
The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure.
