Philippians 4:1. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, do stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
You know that the church at Philippi was very dear to the apostle's heart. He could never forget the time when he and Silas prayed with the women at the river side, and afterwards prayed and sang praises unto God in the prison, when the prisoners heard them. Lydia and her household and the Philippian jailor were among the first fruits of Paul's work at Philippi, and there was always a very intimate love between him and the members of the church in that place. They cared for him, and he cared for them. Twice in this one verse he speaks of them as his «dearly beloved.» He says that he «longed for them, longed to come and see them face to face, longed that they might be happy in the Lord to the very highest degree. So he says, «my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy.» It was such a joy to him even to think of them as his spiritual children and especially to see after what a godly and generous fashion they behaved themselves. Yes, and he calls them his «crown» a garland which he had won in spiritual wrestling. The Christian man's converts are his joy here, and they will be his crown for ever in glory. Paul bade these Philippians «stand fast in the Lord.» It looks a very simple thing to stand fast; but they who try to do it know how difficult a task it is.
Philippians 4:2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Only two women who had fallen out with one another; but the apostle is so anxious for perfect unity that he puts in a «beseech» for each of them. He does not say which was right and which was wrong; but he would have them «of the same mind in the Lord.» Little differences, even between obscure members of the church, may hinder the work of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is like a dove, and doves love quiet places, they do not come where there is noise and strife. Oh, let us cultivate love towards one another; and if in anything we have disagreed at any time, let us think that we hear Paul saying tonight, «I beseech Euodias, and I beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.» Make it up, my sisters, make it up, my brothers, whatever the quarrel is, end it, and «be of the same mind in the Lord.» Bought with the same precious blood, robed in the same perfect righteousness, on the way to the same heaven, «be of the same mind in the Lord.»
Philippians 4:3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help these women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose name, are in the book of life.
We do not know who this «true yokefellow» was. Very likely it was Epaphroditus, who carried this epistle to Philippi. Whoever it was, it was someone who had worked with Paul shoulder to shoulder. If two bullocks bear the same yoke, and yet do not agree, they make it very uncomfortable for one another. If one tries to lie down, and the other wants to stand up, or if one goes faster than the other, the yoke becomes doubly galling. Paul speaks of somebody here as having been his «true yokefellow»; and he says to him, «Help those women which laboured with me in the gospel.» What an eminent place women have ever held in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ and here Paul speaks of them as labouring with him in the gospel! Surely, Lydia must have been one of these. «With Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.» According to some learned commentators, a man's name may be in the book of life for a time; but it may be removed. If their teaching is true, that book will be very much scratched and blotted. I thank God that I do not believe in any such book as that. If the Lord Jesus Christ has written my name in the book of life, in the great family register of the redeemed, I defy all the devils of hell ever to get it erased.
Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
If you ever rejoice in the Lord, you may always rejoice in the Lord, for he is always the same, and always gracious. There is as much reason for rejoicing in God at one time as at another, since he never changes.
Philippians 4:5. Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The word «moderation», in the Greek, is a very difficult word to translate into English. It does not mean moderation in the sense in which some people use the word, for they make it, as I think, almost an accursed one. «Let your moderation» your gentleness, your willingness, your forbearance «be known unto all men.» That is what it means. Do not push your own rights too far; stop short of what you might fairly demand and when you feel, at any time, a little vehement in temper, check yourself hold yourself in, bear and forbear. Go not as far as you may, nor even as far as some think that you ought, in defending your own rights; let your gentleness, your yieldingness, be known unto all men.
Philippians 4:5. The Lord is at hand.
Christ is coming; why do you put yourself out? The Lord is near you to help you; why are you so excessively anxious? Why are you so carried away with the present temporary trial? «The Lord is at hand.»
Philippians 4:6. Be careful for nothing;
Be anxiously careful for nothing; sing, with Faber,
«I have no cares, O blessed Lord,
For all my cares are thine.»
Philippians 4:6-8. But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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.
Everything of this kind concerns you, therefore help it as far as you can. Be you on the side of every cause that may be thus described. If it vindicates truth, uprightness, reverence, religion, chastity, holiness, be you on that side. If there is anything the reverse of this, do not you have anything to do with it, but if there is any movement in the world that will help forward things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, «think on these things,» and so think upon them as to increase their influence among the sons and daughters of men.
Philippians 4:9. These things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:
It is well when a preacher can speak like that; when he has not to say, «Do as I say, and not as I do,» but when, like the apostle, he can say «those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.»
Philippians 4:9. And the God of peace shall be with you.
The God of peace is always with those who receive his dear Son, and who heed his gospel. It is one of the privileges of true believers that the God of peace shall be constantly with them.
Philippians 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.
Paul was in prison at Rome; and these Philippians had made a contribution, and they had sent Epaphroditus with it to relieve the apostle in his poverty, so he said to them, «You cared for me before; but for a time you had not the opportunity of helping me, and now you have thought of me again; wherefore, I rejoice in the Lord greatly.»
Philippians 4:11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Is not that a splendid piece of learning? Paul was a learned man, and so are you, if you have learnt this lesson. You may not be able to put D.D., or LL.D., after your name, but you are a learned man if you can say, «I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.»
Philippians 4:12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
These are two grand things to learn. There are some who know the first, but who do not know the second. I have known several of God's children who seemed quite eminent for piety when they were abased, but they were never worth anything after they grew rich. They did not know how to abound; they became top-lofty, and far too great for their place. It was not so with the apostle, for he could truthfully say, «I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound.»
Philippians 4:12. Every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Was he not a true Master of Arts? He had mastered the art of being hungry without murmuring, the art of being full without boasting, the art of suffering need without impatience, the art of abounding without setting his affection on worldly things. He was indeed a Master of Arts of the very highest order.
13. I can do all things
That looks like bragging, does it not? Finish the sentence.
Philippians 4:14. Through Christ which strengtheneth me.
There is no improper boasting there, for Paul could do all things through Christ's mighty power. It has been well said that the angels excel in strength, but the saints excel in their weakness. When we are most weak, and Christ strengthens us, then are the most excellent virtues produced.
Philippians 4:14-17. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 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. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Their liberality was set down to their account in God's book.
Philippians 4:18-19. 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, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
It is Paul's God who took care of the Philippians; and it is Paul's God who will take care of you and me: «My God,» says Paul, «shall supply all your need, not as you have supplied mine, out of your poverty, but according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.» Do any of you know the measure of this immeasurable text, «according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus»?
Do not imagine that you will ever exhaust God's riches in glory, or drain the exchequer of all-sufficiency; that cannot be.
Philippians 4:20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
He blesses us, let us bless him. He supplies all our need according to his riches in glory; let us extol his glory for ever and ever.
Philippians 4:21. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
Give him a shake of the hand. Say, «How are you, my brother? I wish you well.» These hearty salutations ought to be common in every Christian assembly. I always deprecate that wonderful respectability that exists in some places of worship, where nobody knows anybody else; they are too respectable to become acquainted with their brethren. If you are in Christ Jesus, get to know one another. «Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.»
Philippians 4:21-22. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
I suppose most of these were only slaves in the imperial household. There may have been one or two, perhaps, of a higher class; but, in all probability, the gospel first reached the slaves in the Roman palace, that pandemonium of vice, where lust and cruelty abounded. There were saints even there; and God still has some of his jewels lying on dunghills.
Philippians 4:23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.