Paul Now Gives Final Instructions To His Beloved Philippians (Philippians 4:4-7).
Paul now commences a series of injunctions in staccato form which are not directly connected in the Greek. In a sense each is separate so as to give it emphasis, although we should recognise that that does not necessarily mean that Paul wanted them to be seen as totally independent of each other. The first is ‘upward', looking towards the Lord (Philippians 4:4), the second is outward, looking towards the world (Philippians 4:5), and the third is inward, looking at themselves (Philippians 4:6). Philippians 4:7 possibly applies to them all.
His rapid-fire statements are:
· Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4).
· Let your forbearance be known to all men (Philippians 4:5 a).
· The Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:5 b).
· Be anxious in nothing, but let your prayers and supplications be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).
And the consequence will be that ‘the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard their hearts and minds by faith in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:7).