Philippians 4 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Phil 4:2.3

A. Find Out:    

1. With whom was Paul pleading? v.2a
   •  I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche
2. For what was he asking? v.2b
   • to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3. Who next does he address? v.3a
   • Yes, and I ask you, my true companion
4. Who does he ask him to help? v.3b
   • help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,
5. Who else does he mention? v.3c
   • along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers
6. How are they described? v.3d
   • whose names are in the book of life.

B. Think:

1. What problem was there obviously in Philippi?
2. Why was it particularly sad?
3. What sense is conveyed of the community there?

C. Comment:

Our temptation, when we come to a couple of verses like these is to pass over them hastily, for they are “only about people”, but the Bible is all about people and God is concerned for people. Not only that, ALL Scripture is “useful for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16).

First of all, let us note that there is obviously an ongoing disagreement between two women in Philippi that has come to Paul’s hearing. It is particularly sad because they have stood beside Paul in the past and helped him in the work of sharing the Gospel.

Second, note Paul’s approach: he pleads with them, he doesn’t chide them or command them, he pleads or begs them, he comes with gentleness and humility to ask them to come together again. A good example to follow!

Third, note that he calls on another there to come and help them settle their differences. He refers to this one as “yoke-fellow” (see footnote), one who had been closely associated with Paul perhaps, in the work. The picture is of one, closely bound by relationship and in the work, to Paul, who can be relied upon.

Finally note how Paul just brings in the name of Clement and the others, as a simple word of encouragement, a gentle pastoral encouragement to make them feel included and cared for. Yes, otherwise insignificant Clement is now in the Bible, wow!

D. Application?

1. People are important to God, whoever they are.
2. It is sad when fellow workers for Christ fall out. May we not.

Passage: Phil 4:4-7

A. Find Out:

1. What does he encourage them to do? v.4
   • Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!
2. What else? v.5
   •  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
3. What are they not to do? v.6a
   • Do not be anxious about anything
4. What are they to do instead? v.6b
   • but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
5. What will they then receive? v.7a
   • And the peace of God
6. What will it do for them? v.7b
   • which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

B. Think:

1. What sort of things cause us anxiety?
2. How are the instructions in this passage an antidote to that?
3. How is God’s peace different from the world’s?

C. Comment:

Paul has just pleaded for agreement between two arguing women. Now, it seems at first, he completely switches to something else. Rejoice in the Lord, he says, be glad, have joy in knowing the Lord. When you are truly rejoicing in the Lord it is difficult to have barriers to other people, it is as if God’s love flows in the joy. There comes a gentleness and openness when the Lord is there, and arguments and divisions disappear. Oh yes, this is a natural flow on in logical thought, here in Paul’s thinking.

Not only that, don’t let anxieties come in, don’t let worries about other people and situations come in and cause tension in you. However, do we achieve that in a world of frequent difficulties and hostilities? The answer is there: pray! Tell God all about it and as you do, become aware that He is the Lord and He is sovereign over all. Give Him thanks as you off-load to Him, that He loves you, He is in control, and He will use even the bad situations for your good (Romans 8:28). See what will happen: peace will flood in, the sense of God’s presence. It will bring such security that yet, although humanly speaking all is bad around you, peace prevails. Wow!

D. Application?

1. Whatever is going on in your life, rejoice in the Lord, joy in Him.
2. Having problems or difficulties? Share them with your loving heavenly Father thankfully.

Passage: Phil 4:8,9

A. Find Out:

1. Write down as a list the 8 things Paul says to think about in v.8
   • whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
2. What are the four things they are to put into practice? v.9a
   • Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.
3. Then what will happen? v.9b
   • And the God of peace will be with you.

B. Think:

1. Next to the list of things in verse 8, write their meanings.
2. Check the things that go into your mind daily. Do they conform to this list?
3. What sort of life must Paul have had to be able to say what he said in verse 9?

C. Comment:

Not only is sharing everything with God important (as seen in the previous verses) but so is watching what goes into your mind. Let’s briefly consider the list.

Things that are true; lies, untruth, deception, what is false, have no place in the Christian. Noble? The word here is about things that create respect and honour, of which we may be rightly proud. Right? Things that are good, righteous, just. Pure? Untainted by evil, utterly good. Lovely? Things that are loveable, worthy of our loving response. Admirable? Things of good report or worthy of our admiration because of their goodness. Excellent? Very good! Praiseworthy? Obviously worthy of praise and exultation because of achievement.

What a list! Fill your mind with good things, says Paul. That probably rules out a great deal of modern TV. Check it out! In this part of history, we really do need to stand against all the bad things that we are bombarded with through the media. Finally do what you see I do, he says. Watch me and imitate me. That is incredible! How many of us could say that to young disciples, and yet Paul is so sure of his own lifestyle he can say that.

D. Application?

1. What are we filling our minds with? Is it goodness or is it unclean and evil and false?
2. What is my lifestyle like? Could I say, imitate me?

Passage: Phil 4:10,14-20

A. Find Out:

1. What has blessed Paul? v.10
   • I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
2. What had they done? v.14
   • Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles
3. How had they excelled in the early days? v.15
   • Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
4. What had they done? v.16
   • for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
5. How did he view their gifts? v.18c
   • They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
6. What was he able to reassure them about? v.19
   • And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

B. Think:

1. How had the Philippians practically shared in Paul’s ministry?
2. What apparently had happened about that sharing?
3. What was now blessing Paul?

C. Comment:

In our study here we see that Paul remembers how the church in Philippi had been a real source of blessing to him in his early days in Macedonia. They had obviously been alert to his needs again and again and had sent resources to help him. Indeed, they had been the only church in the area to have done that, and that had particularly blessed Paul. What a lovely testimony to that church.

But in the beginning of these verses, we see that Paul is blessed because they have “renewed their concern” for him, the inference being that there had been a period when that concern had not been able to be expressed. Indeed, Paul says that they had not had the opportunity to show that concern, perhaps because they had lost touch for a while because of his travelling and because of what was happening to him.

What this does tell us is that this apostle had been cut off for some time from the one church that really had a heart for him and for his needs. Such was the cost of the travelling ministry, to lose contact with your best providers. Yet the Lord had upheld him and now the contact had been re-established and the concern expressed once again.

D. Application?

1. Travelling ministries need both financial and general encouragement support. Do we give it?
2. Even when all apparent usual support is cut off, God will provide for His servants doing His will.

Passage: Phil 4:10-13

A. Find Out:

1. Why was Paul NOT speaking? v.11a
   •  I am not saying this because I am in need,
2. What had he learnt? v.11b
   • for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
3. What two things had he experienced? v.12a
   • I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
4. So what had he learnt? v.12b
   • I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
5. What was he able to do therefore? v.13a
   •  I can do all this
6. How was he able to do it? v.13b
   • through him who gives me strength.

B. Think:

1. What sort of things disturb us?
2. What sort of things do they create in us?
3. How had Paul learnt not to let such things disturb him?

C. Comment:

First let’s note WHAT Paul had learnt: to be content whatever the circumstances. Bad circumstances can cause anxiety or fear and good circumstances can lead us into lax attitudes. Paul had learnt to handle all circumstances.

 Second, let’s note WHEN Paul had learnt this: it was a process that had been learnt over the years of his ministry, years when sometimes he had had no resources at all and at other times, he had had abundance. Both poverty and prosperity have their dangers for the Christian and maturity means learning how to cope with them both!

Third, let’s note HOW Paul learnt to cope: it was through knowing Christ, and through Christ receiving the required strength to overcome the pitfalls of both poverty and plenty.

We should perhaps note in closing that this resting in any situation does NOT come easily. We may think we can handle either extreme, until we are in it. Learning comes by living in it and living correctly in it! Christian maturity only comes by working out your salvation in the various trying circumstances that life brings, whether it be poverty or plenty, pressure or peace, each requires a right response.

D. Application?

1. The Christian life is a learning process. Much of that learning is done in trying circumstances. They are there to teach you.
2. The greatest lesson we can learn is that Christ provides all we need for today – in the circumstances!

Passage: Phil 4:21-23

A. Find Out:

1. To whom did Paul send greetings? v.21a
   • Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.
2. Who sent the greetings? v.21b
   • The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.
3. Who else sent greetings? v.22a
   • All God’s people here send you greetings,
4. And who especially? v.22b
   • especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
5. What did he finally want for them? v.23
   • The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

B. Think:

1. What sense does this passage convey about the people in Rome and in Philippi?
2. What does this passage tell us about how far the Gospel had gone?
3. How is Jesus still held to be pre-eminent by Paul in these verses?

C. Comment:

Not very auspicious verses one might think, but they are still God-breathed and useful for teaching etc. (see 2 Timothy 3:16), so let’s see what they say.

First, there is the sense of groupings of people at either end: “all” the saints in Philippi and “all” the saints in Rome. There are real communities of Christians being spoken about here.

Second, note that the Christians are referred to as “saints”. ALL Christians are saints, for the word really means “a set apart one”, one who is holy because they are called by God and made righteous by Christ. We are all set apart for God by God, we are all “saints” in the New Testament language.

Third, note that even in Caesar’s household there were Christians, and they were not undercover Christians but those who were not fearful to speak out and send their greetings when they heard that this ambassador is writing to Philippi. What a subtle way of encouraging the Christians at Philippi in his closing words, to say that even though he was in prison there are Christians there in Rome in the very inner part of the authority’s home who are open believers!

     Finally, he simply prays that Christ’s Grace may be theirs. We need it too!

D. Application?

1. Church is about people, about communities.
2. Christians are saints, called apart holy ones.