Tyndale Open Study NotesPhilippians 4

Using himself as an example, Paul encourages the Philippians to pursue Christ and the hope of heaven with determination and strength.

• stand firm in the Lord: This means to remain faithful and committed to Jesus Christ (compare 1:27).

• Their ongoing faithfulness to Christ brought Paul great joy and was the reward for his hard work (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20).

Before ending the letter, Paul discusses a small conflict in the church and writes a few words of encouragement.

agree with each other in the Lord: The Lord's people should live in peace with one another (see 2:2; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1–3, 31–32; Colossians 3:12–15). We do not know what the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche was about.

• my true yokefellow (or loyal Syzygus): The Greek word suzuge is either a personal name or a description. We do not know exactly who this person was.

• Nothing more is known about Clement.

• whose names are in the Book of Life: Those whose names are written in the Book of Life are true believers. God will give them eternal life (see Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; compare Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1).

Rejoice … by prayer and petition … with thanksgiving: Compare with 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18. Both passages were written to churches facing persecution (see also Romans 12:12).

• In Paul’s letters, joy and rejoicing are a response to hearing the good news about Jesus (see Ephesians 5:19–20). Joy does not depend on circumstances. Instead, believers can have joy even when life is difficult.

• Rejoice! This is a command Paul often gives to Christians (see Philippians 2:18; 3:1; Romans 12:12, 15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Believers should treat others with kindness and thoughtfulness, when those people are treating them badly or causing them to suffer for their faith. Believers do not need to seek revenge or try to get back at people who hurt them. Instead, they can trust that God will handle justice in his own time and way. Believers can act this way because they believe Jesus will return soon (see James 5:8–9).

Believers do not need to worry, because their Father in heaven loves them and takes care of their needs. He invites them to pray about everything (see Matthew 6:25–34; 7:9–11; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 5:7).

Those who trust God (see 4:6) will experience God's peace (see also Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Colossians 3:15).

Paul urges the Philippians to focus on God's good gifts. Then, even when they suffer and are treated badly by others, they can live in a way that honors God and have peace in their hearts and mind (4:7, 9).

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me: This refers to everything Paul had taught them by word and example about the kind of life God wants us to live (see 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 16–17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9).

At the end of the letter, Paul thanks the Philippians for the gift they sent him through Epaphroditus.

It is not clear why they were not able to help him earlier.

As a servant of Christ, Paul has learned to be content with every situation, whether he had plenty or little. His life was filled with the joy that comes from doing the will of God whatever the cost.

through Christ: With Christ's help, Paul had the strength to do everything. In all situations, Paul relied on the strength of Christ, who lived in him and worked through him. This was especially true during times of suffering (see 2 Corinthians 1:8–10; 4:7–12; 12:8–10; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27).

The Philippians showed kindness and generosity, which was especially meaningful because Paul was suffering in prison.

• no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving: Paul chose not to accept money from the Corinthians, because he was concerned it might harm how they understood the good news about Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:11–18; 2 Corinthians 11:7–12). But he had no such concern with the Philippians.

• in the early days of the gospel: This refers to when Paul first preached the good news in Philippi (See Acts 16:11–40).

After Paul left Philippi (see 4:15), he traveled to Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1–8; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:1–14).

• Not that I am seeking a gift: Paul preferred to support himself financially (see Acts 18:3; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:3–18; 2 Corinthians 11:7–11; 12:14–15).

• Paul was not seeking a gift for himself. Instead, he wanted their generosity to produce spiritual fruit, a reward from God credited to their account

• Epaphroditus had carried the gifts from Philippi (see also 2:25–30).

• They are a fragrant offering: In the Old Testament, acceptable offerings were a pleasing fragrance to God (see Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9; 3:5, 16; compare Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:2).

After thinking about God's wonderful blessings, Paul ends the letter with words of praise to God.

Some people in Caesar's household were believers working for the Roman government. Paul might have share the good news about Jesus with them while he was in prison. They might have been especially close to Paul and worried about him in prison (see 1:13).

• At the end of his letters, Paul often asks that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the people he is writing to (see also 1:2). Believers need Christ’s grace for both salvation and daily life.

• Here, your spirit likely refers to the deepest part of the believers' inner being. The spirit is the part of the person that relates most directly to God. Paul is praying that Christ’s grace would strengthen and sustain them at the core of who they are.