This is the last Chapter of this Book; next week we will begin the Book of Colossians.
In this last chapter of Philippians, Paul’s central thought is simple: only in Christ are real unity and joy possible. With *Yeshua Ha’Mashiach as our example of humility and service, we can enjoy a oneness of purpose, attitude, goal, and labor – a truth which Paul illustrates from his own life, and one the Philippians desperately need to hear.
Within their own ranks, fellow workers in the Church at Philippi were at serious odds … hindering the work in proclaiming new life in Christ. Because of this, Paul exhorts that Church to “stand fast” – “be of one mind” – rejoice int eh Lord always” – “in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds”.
The Church = Body of Believers at Philippi was the first Church the Apostle Paul founded in Macedonia.
**********
Philippians ~ Chapter 4/Thursday Bible Study
“My brethren, I love you and long for you. You are my joy and my crown. But stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I beg **Euodoia, and I beg ***Syntyche, to be reconciled to each other, with the Lord’s help. I ask you, too, my true companions (friends, buddies, mates, associates), to help these women. They both have worked hard, helping me spread the Gospel, assisted by ****Clement and other fellow-workers whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the *****Lord always! Let me repeat it: Rejoice! (vv. 1 – 4)
The Secret of the Peace of God
Let your forbearance (patience, self-control, tolerance, mercy) be known to all men. The Lord is near (close, at hand, coming)! So do not worry about anything. No matter what the circumstances, pray to #Elohim – entreat (plead, appeal, beg, pray, ask, urge) Him, and give thanks (cheer, appreciation/gratitude, acknowledgment/recognition, credit). Tell Him what you need. And the peace of ##Elohei Ha’Elohim, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ. (vv. 5 – 7)
Holy Thoughts Produce Holy Living
And as for the rest, brethren, you should thing these things … whatsoever is true (correct, right, real, genuine – honest, valid – endorsed = approved, sincere - upright), honorable (moral, noble, good, proper, fair, righteous – blameless), just (correct, impartial – fair = balanced, evenhanded), pure (clean, wholesome, higher), lovable (pleasant – agreeable = nice, friendly - gracious, cordial – good natured, warm, easy going), or of good report (significant, high opinion): in short, if there is anything excellent (first-rate, superb – fine = great, admirable – very good, highly regarded = trustworthy) and worthy of praise (credible, fine, approved), think about that. And do these things that you have learned from me and have accepted, that you have heard me speak about and seen me do. Practice (exercise, drill, habit, custom, routine) them and the God of peace will be with you. (vv. 8 – 9)
Paul’s Gratitude Because of the ###Saint’s Concern for Him
It has made me very happy in the Lord to find that now, at length, your concern for me has blossomed forth again. I mean, of course, that you were interested in me – but you had no occasion () to show it until now. And even now I am not saying that I am in actual need (), for I have learned to be content no matter what my circumstances may be. I know how to live in poverty and I know how to live in prosperity. I have had experience under any and all conditions, of having enough and of going hungry – of living in plenty and of living n poverty. I can do anything through Christ, Who gives me strength.
Still, I think that you did the right thing to share my hardships with me. And you Philippians know that in the beginning of my *#Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, yours was the only church that went into partnership with me in the matter of giving and receiving. Even when I was in Thessalonica you twice sent help to meet my needs. It is really not the gifts that I crave, but I do look for fruit that may be out to your credit (praise, recognition, standing, status).
I now have all that I need, and more than that. I am quite contented, having received from **#Epaphroditus (eph-aph-roh-die-tus) the gifts you sent. They are like sweet-smelling incense, like a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to Elohim.
My God will, in return, supply all your needs out of His glorious riches, through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. May glory be to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen.
Greet all the saints in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. All the brethren here with me send you their greeting. All the Christians here – especially the Believers of Caesar’s household, wish to be remembered to you.
The grace of our Lord, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, be with you all! Amen!” (vv. 10 – 23)
*Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.
**Euodoia (yee-oh-dee-ah): a member of the congregation at Philippi, who disagreed with another woman on an unknown subject – to such an extent, that Paul asked them to “agree in the Lord”. Both women had worked closely with Paul, and were perhaps charter members (aka, a founding member) of the congregation at Philippi. Possibly they were deaconesses (a woman chosen to assist in the ministry of The Church/to encourage the pastor/to serve the Lord by performing acts of charity and hospitality, and assistance for those of The Church, particularly women, assisting in the visitation and ministry to the sick and needy/to bring about unity, stability, and purpose to the ministry); and possibly they held some of the worship services in their homes.
***Syntyche (sin-tee-chee): a woman who was prominent in the congregation at Philippi – she was urged by Paul to settle her feud with Euodoia, also in the Philippian Church. She was probably a well-to-do deaconess. Her disagreement with Euodoia had grown to the point where it threatened to split the Philippian Church.
****Clement (Cleh-ment): a co-worker and friend of Paul, Clement was one of the Christians who lived at Philippi. Nothing more is known of this man, but what Paul writes in his letter to Philippi.
*****Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
#Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾĚlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.
###Saint = In its most basic sense, a saint is a “holy one,” someone who is set apart for Elohim’s special purposes. As a result, every follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is a Saint. In most of his letters, the Apostle Paul refers to the recipients as saints, including the church at Corinth, where there were significant moral and theological problems! The New Covenant writers draw their use of the word saints (“holy ones”) from the Old Covenant (e.g., Exod 31:13; Lev 11:45, 19:2; Dan 7:18, 27). Particularly important is Exodus 19:5-6, where Elohim refers to Israel as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 1 Peter 2:9 applies this same language to believers: “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
*#Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ.
**#Epaphroditus (eph-aph-roh-die-tus): a Christian believer in Philippi – he was sent by his home congregation to carry collected money for Paul during the Apostle’s imprisonment in Rome. He stayed with Paul, helping until he took seriously ill and nearly died; recovering, he asked to return home to Philippi. Paul sent his Philippian epistle back with him, and referred to the faithful messenger in glowing terms as “my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier.”
**Philippians 3: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/11/philippians-chapter-3thursday-bible.html
