Stand firm 1
Cooperate with each other 2
Rejoice in the Lord; peace others can't understand 4
Think on these things 8
Rejoicing in any circumstance 10
Gifts appreciated 14
PS: Greet everyone 21
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| 1 ¶ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. | Therefore
Continuing from ph0321.
My joy and crown Compare is6203. |
| .2
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind
in the Lord.
.3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. |
3 -Yokefellow
The Greek construction favors Eurodias and Syntyche of being coworkers
with "those women" rather than with Paul.
3 - Names in the book of life The Philippian believers would have related this to their city book of citizens is0403. We may be citizens of heaven while expatriates here ex3232, da0710, lu1020. We live here to be refined in the fire mal0302. Our names may be removed from that book if we stop pressing forward with our eyes fixed on Christ re0305. Paul saw it this way 2ti0410. |
| .4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. .6 Be careful for [worry about] nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. .7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Christians may choose to be happy rather than to walk among the thorns of worry |
4 - Rejoice What encouragement! 5 - Moderation The word means "yielding" or "kindness." 6 - Prayer The Lord is always listening. 7 - Passeth all understanding Then how can we understand it? da1210. The righteous can be hurting and hated and yet have peace with the Lord and freedom from worry. Contrast je1605. |
| .8
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.
.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. |
8 - Whatsoever things Can we pray, "Lead us not into temptation" and then seek it? Compare ps10103. See note on video games below. |
| .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. | Rejoiced
Probably should be "rejoice."
Careful In modern English, "thoughtful." |
| .11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. | Learned
He realized his circumstances were always under the control of God. This
verse we may claim as a promise that we, too, may be at peace
ro0828,
1co1013,
2co1207.
Content From autarkes, "sufficient for oneself." ga0220, v13, 2ti0112. |
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12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. .13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. |
12 - Instructed From mueo which is more precisely translated in the RSV as "learned the secret of." 13 - All things through Christ This is a verse to read and ponder! Can we obey on our own? No, it is Christ who provides the strength. Is it salvation by works? No, nothing we do brings salvation, but conforming to the will of God is by grace and that grace is the gift of Christ's strength. We need both forgiveness and righteous living. Our seeking and receiving forgiveness does not earn our salvation any more than our good behavior does. Salvation is totally a gift of grace and so are the gifts of a desire for forgiveness and the strength of Christ! Marvelous Saviour. |
| .14
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
.15 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. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. |
14
- Communicate with Or to share with or fellowship with.
15 - In the beginning At the time of his first ministry to these people ac1612. He departed quickly ac1713. 17 - But ... fruit Paul wanted to see spiritual growth 2pe0316. |
| 18 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, wellpleasing
to God.
.19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 ¶ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
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- Epaphroditus See ph0225.
19 - My God shall supply He recognized the divine source of blessings for which he was only a channel. |
| .21
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet
you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. <<To the Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus.>> |
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| Video games
(Note for verse 8)
Entertainment is a trap for lots of people. Of course everything that's interesting isn't bad. Jesus said, I've come so you could have life John 10:10. A better one is, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11. Paul gave a really nice way to understand. "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." Phil. 4:8. So what about video games? Does that game you or I are interested in separate us from Christ? Does it feed our natural instincts of violence and lust? Does it help us remember the golden rule of doing to others what we would want them to do to us? Some games would even draw us into the mysticism of the occult. I enjoy a little mind exercise like the computer game of clicking on matching tiles to see if I can get the whole stack. I've not played that for some time now because I figure that my time is a talent and I want to use it for God's glory. I wouldn't feel right, however, in condemning another person for playing a simple game like that. There are learning games that are sometimes helpful. I can imagine a game involving Bible knowledge which could be good. Of course these are generally not video games. |
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