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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Philippians 4:4 - 4:7
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The rejoicing of the Christians Especially in Their Fellowship with Christ.
The care-free joy of believers:
v. 4. Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.
v. 5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
v. 6. Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
v. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Here the apostle once more brings out the theme of the letter. He was obliged to include this warning against disharmony, but all the while his heart was overflowing with love and joy toward the Philippians. And so he breaks forth in another appeal: Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice! With Christians their joy is always in the Lord and on account of the Lord. That is the fundamental sentiment of their entire life, to be happy in the salvation which is theirs through the atoning work of Christ, to feel exultant joy over the fellowship with His sanctifying power. Lest the Philippians raise the objection that it is impossible in the midst of the tribulations of this vale of tears to feel happy always, Paul repeats his admonition, thus cutting off all remonstrances: the Christians can and shall rejoice at all times. See 2Co_4:8-9
Out of this feeling, which dominates their whole life, there follows: Your mildness make known to all men; the Lord is near. There is so much contained in the Greek word used here by Paul: moderation, forbearance, gentleness, patience, selflessness, equity, mildness; it is that quality by which a Christian always puts the best construction on everything. This should become evident before all men, it follows out of the joy of faith, from the knowledge of their acceptance with God. Toward all men they should exhibit this feeling, because it is the one characteristic attitude which will tend to win people for Christianity. There must, of course, always be an uncompromising opposition to all that is evil and condemned by the Word of God, hut this must never result in gruffness and harshness, which would be incompatible with the spirit of Christ. In this connection the Christians should always remember that Christ is near at hand, His advent is about to take place. He wants to deliver His believers from all evil. They will be with the Lord always. Then all the afflictions, all the anxiety, trouble, tribulation of this life, will be past. In view of this prospect, earthly bickerings and wranglings are utterly trivial. This thought should always encourage and spur on the Christians to show true lenity.
Another thought follows from the facts as presented: For nothing be anxious, but in everything, by supplication and prayer with thanksgiving, make known your wishes toward God. Here is a clear and inclusive injunction. The Christians should not be anxious, consumed with worry and anxiety about anything in this life. The Philippians may have had occasion to feel anxious, since they were suffering from the enmity of many opponents. But instead of being concerned about the things of this world, they should put all their trust in the Lord, leave all matters to His fatherly direction and care. In general prayer and in specific supplication, combined with the giving of thanks, they should make known their wants before God. Even the smallest, apparently insignificant detail of daily life, as well as the large, momentous facts which confront them, should be brought to the attention of God. There is nothing too small for His consideration if it concerns the welfare of His children or of the Church. And the giving of thanks must never be omitted. It is an essential part of prayer, since the Lord's gifts always surround us and we are never without specific reasons for thanksgiving. By carrying out this injunction carefully, a Christian will always be in the right mood and spirit for kindness toward all men.
Since these gifts, however, are such as cannot be obtained by a Christian of his own strength nor be retained by his own power, the apostle adds the prayerful wish: And the peace of God which goes beyond all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. The peace of God enables the believers to do what they cannot perform of their own reason and strength. It keeps the hearts of the Christians secure in the trust that His presence and promise is with them at all times, and that it is but necessary to rely upon Him in childlike faith. The peace of God is a condition brought about between God and man as a consequence of salvation. There is now no more a dividing wall of enmity between God and man, but only the fullness of peace. This consciousness actuates and governs the Christians in all their relations toward their fellow-men, it keeps their hearts in a wonderful watch and guard. For this peace of God transcends all understanding. It is not only too wonderful for all human understanding and comprehension, but it is stronger than all understanding of men, it can accomplish far more than any human mind. What human mind, reason, and understanding cannot do the peace of God can accomplish with ease. It keeps the heart in check, it watches the mind, it guards against all mere human affections and sinful thoughts. And this is possible only because the efficacy of this peace is based upon its connection with Jesus Christ. It rests in the Savior of mankind. For through Christ the peace of God, with God, has been gained. If we have a firm stand in Christ Jesus, we shall think and do such things as are pleasing to Him. Thus the peace of God permeates and governs the entire existence of the Christians, it is the primary influence of their lives.