Paul’s Appeal for Peace / Unity - Philippians 4:2-9
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the
same mind in the Lord. 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. Rejoice in
the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. 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.
Paul gives several exhortations to finish his letter, list
them below.
Be of the same mind.
Rejoice in the Lord
Let your moderation be known to all men
Be careful for nothing.
Think on these things
Those things you have learned, received, heard and seen in
me do.
What does Paul ask Euodias and Syntyche to do?
To get along, to reconcile and have unity with each other.
Some commentator think these two person are women who have been quarrelling,
some as a husband and wife due to the meaning of the names Euodia is pleasant
journey or fragrance and Syntyche means fortunate.
Vs. 3 Who does Paul ask to help them?
Someone he calls “True yokefellow” possibly a name this
person took after becoming a Christian.
In the Greek it is Syzygos (Syzygos). Some see this as referring to
Syntyche.
Vs. 4 According to Paul what should be happening in the
church and among Christians instead of disunity?
Rejoicing always (chairete was the traditional word for
farewell) and moderation (readiness to listen, a yieldingness that doesn’t
retaliate) that can be seen by others.
What was the reason Paul gives for this attitude?
They should always rejoice in the Lord. He is the ground and
cause of their joy, and they should show moderation because the Lord is at
hand. In the Aramaic, it is the word Mar an atha
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus
Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha.
Vs. 6 What does Paul say is the cure for anxiety?
In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made know to God.
Paul uses four words for prayer, what does each word mean?
Prayer - act of asking and worship toward God
Supplication - asking of God for a specific need or great
desire
Thanksgiving - giving thanks for what God has done and in faith
for what is yet to be received.
Requests – the things, wants or needs asked for.
Vs. 7 What is the result of this kind of praying?
The peace of God, shall keep (guard like a sentinel) your
hearts (emotions) and minds (thought life) through Christ Jesus (his presence
and power in us.)
Prayer therefore is the answer to the anxiousness Paul warns
about in the previous verses of Chapter 4.
Vs. 8 Paul then gives a filter or sieve for our thought
life. It defines what we should be
letting our minds dwell on. List the
elements of the filter in the following flowchart.
This is such a well know passage describing the Christian’s
thought life as a way to regulate our mental health, let’s take some time to
examine each word.
True – All things that agree with that which is right, unchangeable
and real.
Honest – That which brings or is related to honor or
reputation
Just – That which is right and equitable between ourselves
and others including God.
Pure – That which is chaste, the opposite of being debased
Lovely – what is pleasing or causes a good affection or
attractiveness
Good Report – Has a “good ring” like a genuine coin,
reputable, trustworthy
Any Virtue – any good thing or that Paul has not mentioned
Any Praise – whatever may be praiseworthy, anywhere
Think on these things – set you mind on these things, let
them shape your thought life and the actions that will follow.
Vs. 9 This is the second time Paul has urged the Philippians
to imitate him or follow his example.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and
mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Considering how Paul opened this section, dealing with the
differences between Euodias and Syntyche, what is the purpose of offering
himself as example?
If they all follow his example, as he followed Christ, then
there would be unity in their actions and beliefs.
What words does Paul use to describe what to follow
concerning himself and what do they each mean?
Learned – that which Paul taught them from preaching and
writings
Received – Accepted and believed as Paul acted as one God
had sent.
Heard – What was received secondhand from those like Timothy
and Epaphroditus.
Seen – Not directly taught by Paul or others but the life
and actions they saw when Paul was with them.
What should be their response in light Paul’s example?
They are to do the things they have learned, received, heard
and seen. The Greek is imperative mood (a command) present tense which means
keep on doing them, keep on making them the practice of your faith and life.
What is the reward for doing that which they have learned
from Paul?
The God of peace shall be with them.
The same three words are used in vs. 7 (the peace of God)
but in a different order how does this change the emphasis and the reward?
God is the subject of peace rather than the it’s
description. The "peace of God" is a powerful gift that Paul says is bestowed through prayer. That peace guards our hearts from anxiety, worry and fear, but the "God of peace" is the promise of God himself dwelling with us as we live in accordance to his word. The first is His peace the second is His presence both are desperately needed in the Christian life.
Application:
What lesson can I learn from Paul’s appeal to Euodias and
Syntyche?
What can I take to heart considering his request to Syzygos?
Does Paul’s cure for anxiety still work in the 21st Century?
Specifically, in my own mental processes, how can I use
Paul’s “thought life” filter?
Conclusion
Though this section is the “practical” section of Paul’s letter,
it is different from others. It is more
personal, due to Paul’s time with the church. It is also very much influenced
by Paul’s Greek and Gentile education and training. This would be something the
Greeks of Philippi would relate to.
For us it is a passage about mental discipline and emotional
peace with those we serve with. It is more about ideals and lifestyle goals
than about specific actions. It is about the Christian life becoming a
lifestyle, Christian truths becoming my mindset for all thoughts and the
actions that follow.
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