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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS

CHAPTER FOUR:
“HOW TO GUARD HEART AND MIND”

[“Wholesome Thinking”]
Key word: Thinking
Theme Verse: 7

Philippians 4:1 – Stand Firm

PH4:1 And so, my brothers, loved and longed for, my joy and crown, continue to stand firm, beloved. 170

170	Continue to stand firm, beloved: One can feel Paul’s love for this congregation as he exhorts them to remain steadfast in the faith.

Philippians 4:2-3 – Women of the Same “Mind”

PH4:2 I continue to encourage both Euodia and Syntyche 171 to be of the same mental disposition 172 in union with [the] Lord. 173

171	Euodia and Syntyche: The fact Paul finds it necessary to name these Christian ladies and exhort them to be of the same mind, demonstrates there was a problem of such difficulty to require his note here.

172

Same mental disposition: Or, live in harmony, of one mind, agree; PME: make up your differences; BAR: settle their differences in Christian unity. Again Paul uses a word with “mind” or “thought” in it. He has exhorted this to the whole congregation in Philippians 2:3, 4. Perhaps these two Christian women were at the center of some of the difficulties suggested in Philippians 1:15-17; 2:2-4. Paul has mentioned “whisperings and criticisms” earlier and one can suppose these sisters were involved in the very thing. It is an amazement how two people can polarize a whole congregation. It happens too often within Christian churches.

173	Lord: The Greek is without the article and it is possible that YHWH appeared here originally.

PH4:3 Yes, I also request you, genuine yoke-fellow, 174 continue helping these women that walked together with me in the Good News. 175 [Not only me but also] Clement 176 and those who remain as my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 177 [Psalm 69:29]

174	I also request you, genuine yoke-fellow: Here Paul uses the singular Greek for “you” and means a certain person. It is likely one of the “overseers” mentioned in Philippians 1:1, a godly man in a position to do something about the problem.

175	Helping these women that walked together with me in the Good News: Likely, like those women who ministered to Jesus, these ladies have both been of assistance to Paul. [Luke 8:3]

176	Clement: The only occurrence of this person, though Origen associates him with the Clement who wrote several well-known letters.

177	The book of life: Paul may allude to Psalm 69:29. Compare also Daniel 12:2. [Malachi 3:16; Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5; 20:15]

Philippians 4:4-7 – Peace that Guards Heart and Mind

PH4:4 You Philippians continue to always rejoice 178 in [the] Lord. Again I tell all of you, continue to rejoice.

178	Continue to always rejoice: Paul has stressed this several times. When there is a divisive element within a congregation it is difficult to continue fellowship with a joyful spirit. Meetings become “worse” as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:17. BAR: Never lose your Christian joy.

PH4:5 Let your willingness to yield be known to all persons. 179 The Lord [is] close. 180

179

Let your willingness to yield be known to all persons: Or, forbearance, considerateness, humility, reasonableness, courtesy, gentleness. Very proper counsel when a congregation becomes polarized around two conflicting attitudes. It is possible, despite the other problems Paul has mentioned [Philippians 1:15-17], the difficulties between the two ladies were quite severe, and sides had formed. We will never know the issue, but it is likely similar problems can be found among numerous churches in modern times.

180

The Lord [is] close: Or, is at hand, near, coming soon. Though some, like the latter here, understand this, judging from Paul’s writings earlier [2 Thessalonians 2:1-3], he does not mean Christ’s Day is at hand. Rather, he likely means, ‘the Lord stands near’ and thus suggests the judge is aware of what is developing in the congregation. Whether this “Lord” is YHWH or the Master is difficult to determine and is left to each reader to determine.

PH4:6 None of you be anxious over anything, 181 but in everything let your petitions be made known to The God 182 through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

181	None of you be anxious over anything: Or, anxious; CON: let no care trouble you; MON: do not worry about anything. Compare the Nazarene’s own teachings at Matthew 6:25-34.

182

Let your petitions be made known to The God: When all else fails in attempts to unity, as well as continuing to rejoice, the matter must be laid before the One who can do something about the matter. Paul’s letter to them is surely the answers to some prayers. [Psalm 145:18; John 16:23; Romans 12:12; James 1:5]

PH4:7 Then the peace of The God that transcends all thought 183 will safeguard all of your hearts 184 and mental thinking 185 in union with Christ Jesus.

183

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.

184	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]

185	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.

Philippians 4:8-9 – What Are Some Things to Think About?

PH4:8 Finally, brothers, continue to consider these things: 186 everything true, 187 everything serious, 188 everything righteous, 189 everything chaste, 190 everything affectionate, 191 everything reputable 192 – anything virtuous, 193 anything praise-worthy. 194

186

Continue to consider these things: Or, think on these, take into account, thoughts dwell; BAR: your thoughts must continually dwell on. Paul is to now list eight things worthy of meditating on. If one examines these in the light of difficulties between the two Christian women mentioned above – as well as the two different attitudes in Philippians 1:15-17 – it can be seen that some of these things are the way we ought to think of others.

187	Everything true: Or, that ring true. Pay no attention to what is untruthful about another. Ignore slander and gossip, particularly if you know it is untrue.

188

Everything serious: Or, honest, honorable, dignified. Some people make big issues over matters of no consequence. They make mountains out of molehills, particularly when they wish to exalt themselves and belittle another. Do not chase after silly matters of no consequence. Rather, cultivate a high degree of Christian seriousness about those matters that involve worship and Christian character. Both men and women are counseled to be “serious.” [1 Timothy 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2]

189	Everything righteous: Or, just, right. Do not meditate on unrighteous matters concerning others. Nor, those things that are not fair and just. Learn God’s righteous standards and walk in these virtues and principles. Compare Philippians 1:11.

190	Everything chaste: Or, pure. Do not listen to things about others that are impure. When the mind and heart drift to matters unchaste, learn to mentally say “No!” and change the thinking to godly matters. [2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:2; 1 Peter 3:2]

191

Everything affectionate: Or, lovely, endearing, amiable, lovable. Do not harbor hateful, unloving thoughts. Such come from pride and jealousy. Learn, not only to love others, but to “like” them. Search for their better qualities and ignore those that irritate. Compare Philippians 1:8. [Romans 12:10]

192

Everything reputable: Or, of good report, kindly spoken, gracious, well spoken of. Pay no attention, and give no consideration to, speech that destroys reputation and character. Say nothing that will taint your own reputation. When people think of you, or hear your name, they know for sure that here is a reputable person who would never harm another. Elders particularly must have a good report from worldly persons. [1 Timothy 3:7]

193

Anything virtuous: Or, moral excellence. Pay no attention to that which is not virtuous in thought and action. If it is suspect to public decency, run for your lives. The Latin word VIRTUS means strength of moral character, manliness, value. Cultivate those virtues humans generally praise. Think no thought about another that is not virtuous. Compare notes on 2 Peter 1:5.

194

Anything praise-worthy: Or, honorable. If you hear something not praise-worthy of another suspect the motives. Jealousy or envy may be behind it. If you easily believe the worst of people, examine your own heart in prayer for pride and jealousy may have you in their grip. Think and behave in a manner that others will praise for your kindness, good manners, thoughtfulness, forgiving nature, and godly example.

PH4:9 Also, the things you Philippians have both learned and accepted 195 – the things you heard and saw in me – these things continue to practice. 196 And then The God of the Peace will be with all of you. 197

195

Learned and accepted: Every person who becomes a disciple of the Nazarene must first learn and then accept such teachings. This requires some time spent in meditative study of the teachings of Jesus and his inspired disciples. Once accepting these, and then acting on what has been learned, the disciple has begun to follow the Master.

196

These things continue to practice: Or, WEY: fashion your conduct; PME: model your conduct on what you have learned form me, on what I have told you and shown you; TCN: practice continually; BAR: keep putting into practice the lessons you have learned. Do not just read the words of Jesus and Paul, but put them into practice. People who know you will be aware you are a person of faith in Christ and a model of neighbor love.

197

And then The God of the Peace will be with all of you: Only if one thinks and does the above can it be expected that God’s peace will be realized. If your life continues to be in outer and inner turmoil, examine the above and think seriously where “a place is being allowed for the Devil.” The more you are at peace with yourself and with others, the more you will know you are at peace with God.

Philippians 4:10-13 – The Secret of Contentment

PH4:10 But, I rejoiced greatly in [the] Lord that now at last you Philippians revived your thinking regarding me. 198 Though really you were thinking about me but lacked the opportunity to do anything. 199

198	Revived your thinking regarding me: Or, care for me, interest in my welfare. Paul has mentioned early in his letter that the Philippians had sent him a contribution toward the Gospel. [Philippians 1:3-7]

199	Lacked the opportunity to do anything: Many wish to help hard-workers in the Christian harvest, but “lack the opportunity.” Often it is the poor who want to help the most, but are unable. The rich are too interested in their own concerns to respond to Paul’s commands at 1Timothy 6:17-19.

PH4:11 Not that I am saying I lack [anything], for I have learned in whatever my situation, I remain independent. 200

200

I remain independent: Or, content, make ends meet, self-sufficient. In Paul’s case it might be said “he never missed a meal” – though he postponed some for several days. It does no harm to learn to go a day or so without a meal. It is, in fact, forced fasting because of godly matters. Compare Paul’s experiences at 1 Corinthians 4:11 and 2 Corinthians 11:26, 27. Paul has struggled, despite being poor, to depend on anyone else completely, for humans are imperfect, and no matter their good intentions, often fail or forget the need to help others.

PH4:12 I know how to be in humble circumstances, 201 as well as how to have more than enough. 202 In every situation and in all circumstances I have been initiated into the secrets 203 of how to be satisfied with [more than enough] food as well as how to be hungry, 204 how to abound and how to lack.

201	I know how to be in humble circumstances: Or, abased, low estate, humble circumstances, humble means. He has “learned” to be low on provisions. When he does have extra, he thinks of others, and measures his blessings against his real needs.

202	Have more than enough: Paul mentions in his letters when someone has arrived with a kind gift from others. We forgive Paul – after going hungry so many times – if he chooses to enjoy a fine meal with drink. We can trust that he would share his blessings with others when there is a windfall.

203

I have been initiated into the secrets: Or, instructed, learned the secret. Paul draws on a Greek word associated with mystery cults and their initiation rites. It is almost humorous. Surely in his former life as an educated rabbinical Pharisee he had no lack. Now as a humble missionary walking and sailing the ancient world, he has to make due with what is at hand at the moment. Surely, he has learned to trust in God.

204

How to be satisfied with [more than enough] food and how to be hungry: Or, abound and suffer need, prosperity and want. While multitudes in the modern world know what it means to be hungry, the western world struggles with being over-weight, and diet regimens make millions of dollars. [Luke 21:34] The western world’s garbage and diet books could feed most of the world. When Paul had an abundance he knew how to share with others in need. When he was hungry he knew his weakness meant a different routine for a while. While one cannot walk many miles on an empty stomach, it is possible to write inspired epistles.

PH4:13 For I continue to have strength for everything [like the above] by the One empowering me. 205

205

I continue to have strength for everything by the One empowering me: Or, KJV: I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. This text has been much misapplied to other matters, but one can see Paul has in mind the strength he needs to both have a lack and an abundance. It is doubtful many Christians have ever asked God’s strength when they had a surplus. Others may blame God if they have to go without for a while; or, wonder where they have lost God’s pleasure.

Philippians 4:14-20 – Sacrifices that Please God

PH4:14 Besides, you Philippians did well in having shared with me in my persecutions. 206

206	Shared with me in my oppressions: That is, the contribution they sent him. [Philippians 1:3-7]

PH4:15 Now, you Philippians, are aware that in the beginning of the Good News – when I departed from Macedonia – not one of the congregations shared in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. 207

207

Not one of the congregations shared in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone: The thought is astounding – no congregation assisted Paul in his missionary efforts. It is likely that some kindly individual Christians helped Paul, though on at least one occasion he returned to his tent-making trade. [Acts 18:1-3]

PH4:16 Because, also in Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs not only once, but twice. 208

208

In Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs not only once, but twice: The congregation in Thessalonica was likely very poor and was under persecutions. When reading 1 Thessalonians it is clear Paul and those with him worked hard, doing manual labor with their own hands, to provide for themselves. In 2 Thessalonians he commands that those who will not work should neither eat. We see Paul rejoicing when their kind gifts arrive, and his first thought was not of himself, but others he could share his blessings with.

PH4:17 Not that I am seeking after the gift, 209 but I am seeking after the fruitage that comes into your account.

209	I am seeking [not] after the gift: Paul was not a television evangelist building an enormous mailing list to solicit donations. We cannot see Paul taking the funds of widows to live in a high style. Anyone who knew Paul was ware he never took advantage of those within his ministry.

PH4:18 But, I possess enough and I am abounding. I have been fully supplied, having received something from Epaphroditus from you Philippians – a sweet-smelling incense, 210 [Ezekiel 20:41] - an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to The God. 211

210	A sweet-smelling incense: Paul borrows from Ezekiel 20:41. [Exodus 29:18] Charity given to godly workers and those in need ascends to God like incense.

211	An acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to The God: Paul makes a similar statement at Hebrews 13:15. Charity is part of worship and cannot be minimized and maintain God’s pleasure. [James 1:27; 2:15-17]

PH4:19 However, my God 212 will satisfy all your need 213 according to His glorious riches in union with Christ Jesus.

212	My God: A rare use which only Jesus, Thomas, and Paul ever used in the Christian Bible. [John 20:17, 28; Romans 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Philemon 4] Paul used it at the beginning of his letter. [Philippians 1:3]

213	Will satisfy all your need: Paul assures the Philippians that their charity will be blessed by his God.

PH4:20 Now to The God our Father be the glory throughout all future periods of time. Amen.

Philippians 4:21-23 – Greetings

PH4:21 You Philippians, greet every Saint in harmony with Christ Jesus. 214 The brothers together with me all send their greetings to all of you. 215

214	Greet every Saint in union with Christ Jesus: Or, KJV: salute every saint in Christ Jesus; TCN: give my greetings to every one of the people of Christ Jesus; GDS: remember me to all my fellow-Christians; PME: greetings to every true Christian; BEC: greet everyone who is holy.

215	The brothers together with me all send their greetings to all of you: Paul often traveled with several other men. Some attended to his needs, others were copyists and secretaries. Paul also sends greetings from other Christians in his community or those imprisoned with him.

PH4:22 All of the Saints send their greetings, including those of Caesar’s household. 216

216	Including those of Caesar’s household: Some thing these actual members of Caesar’s family. Others think it household help and others associated with the palace.

PH4:23 The unmerited favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your disposition. 217

217

The unmerited favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your disposition: Or, your spirit. The Greek word PNEUMA may be used of a mental attitude, inclination, or disposition. Paul has followed his theme throughout about the right attitude in keeping the mind of Christ. So he closes with this same theme. God’s Grace will be upon those whose spirit is right in Christ Jesus.

Review Questions on Chapter Four

Summary Questions on Chapter Four