Admonitions from Philippians
Chapter 4
By Jonathan Mitchell
The advice which Paul offers us, in Phil. 4, really needs little commentary. It is applicable to any time, or situation, since our world is normally in some turmoil, and often on multiple fronts. Let us open our hearts and minds to his instructions:
4. Be constantly rejoicing within, in union with, and in the sphere of, [the] Lord [= in Yahweh or in Christ], at all times (or: always)! Again, I will repeat declaring it, Rejoice (or: You folks be habitually rejoicing)!
5. Let your gentle fairness, lenience, forbearance, considerateness, being satisfied with less than one's due, and suitable reasonableness, be intimately and experientially known to all mankind (or: by and for all humans).
What a description of the life of a follower of Christ!
The Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] is near (close by - at hand, close enough to touch; accessible and available)! [cf Mat. 4:17; 2 Thes. 2:2; Jas. 5:7-8]
Yes, it is true! Because of this, the kingdom (God's reign and sovereign activities) is also accessible!
6. Do not be habitually (or: Stop being perpetually) worried, anxious or overly concerned about anything! On the contrary, in everything (and: within every situation), by thinking and speaking toward having goodness and having things go well and with ease (or: in prayer) and in expression of need - together with thanksgiving - repeatedly let your requests be made known to (toward; face to face with) God. [cf Ps. 55:22; Prov. 16:3; Mat. 6:25; 1 Pet. 5:7]
What good advice for our day, and amidst all that is happening in the world.
7. Now then, God's Peace of the Joining (or: this [shalom] from God; or: the harmonious joining, which is God), which is continuously having a hold over (habitually having sway over; or: constantly being superior and excelling over) all mind and inner sense (or: every intellect; all power of comprehension; or: all process of thinking), will continue garrisoning (guarding; keeping watch over; protecting; maintaining) your hearts and the results from directing your minds (or: the effects of your perceptions, concepts, thoughts, reasonings and understandings; or: the dispositions, designs and purposes from you folks; [p16 adds: and bodies]) - in, resident in the midst of, centered within, in union with, and in the sphere of, Christ Jesus [p46: {the} Lord Jesus] [cf Isa. 26:3; Jn. 14:27; Rom. 5:1; Col. 3:15]
The Greek word for 'peace' comes from the verb which means 'to join.' God's Peace and the Joining which came with the work of Christ (cf Eph. 2:15) "is continuously having a hold (or: sway, by excelling) over all mind and inner sense (or: every intellect, power of comprehension, and process of thinking)." This is hard to comprehend. But Paul saw this to be true, and knew that this "will continue garrisoning and maintaining our hearts. All of this happens "in the sphere of (etc.)" Christ Jesus. The new creation and resurrection Life are "centered within" Him, and are in effect through "union with" Him.
8. In conclusion (or: Finally; or: What [is] left), brothers (= fellow believers; [my] family), as much as is true (or: as many things as are genuine and real), as many as [are] awe-inspiring (serious; respectable; noble; dignified by holiness), as much as [is] rightwised (put right; fair, equitable; just; in right relationship within the Way pointed out), as many as [are] pure and innocent, as much as [is] affection-inducing (friendly; directed toward what is liked; loveable or lovely; agreeable; well-regarded; winsome; engendering fondness; attractive; kindly disposed), as many as [are] well-spoken-of (commendable; reputable; of good report; the effect of fair speaking; well-stated; renowned): since [these have] certain (or: if [there is] any) excellence and nobleness (virtues of braveness, courage, good character, quality, self-restraint, magnificence, benevolence, reliability) [in them], and since [these have] some (or: if [there is] any) praise applied (fit expression of high evaluation; honor paid; public approval or applause) [to them], be habitually thinking about and analyzing these things in a logical way (repeatedly make these things the focus of careful consideration and analysis; continuously take these things into account)!
Wow! These are the things upon which we should focus our lives, and in which our minds should be engaged. Remember Phil. 3:14, where Paul spoke of the "upward calling of God, in Christ Jesus." It all has to do with our interior life, which will then guide our outward living. This echoes what Paul said in Phil. 2:1, 2 and 5,
"If, then, [there exists] any calling-alongside to receive relief, aid, encouragement, consolation, comfort or supporting influence within Christ or in union with [the] Anointing; if [there is] any spoken comfort and consolation of Love (belonging to love; or: which is Love); if any common being and existence (or: common interest or activity) of Breath-effect (or: belonging to spirit; with respect to Spirit); if any tender emotions and compassions,[then] fill my joy full, so that you folks can be continually having the same frame of mind (would be mutually disposed; may have the same opinion; could mind the same thing; [cf 1 Pet. 3:8]), by habitually holding (or: having) the same Love: folks joined together in soul (inner life of feelings, will, heart and mind; consciousness), in continuously minding The One...You see, THIS frame of mind and way of thinking (THIS attitude, inclination, opinion and disposition) is continuously within, in union with, and among, you folks (or, as an imperative, and with other MSS: Have this mind-set and outlook habitually centered within you folks) - which [was; is] also within, centered in, and in the sphere of, Christ Jesus." [cf Jn. 13:15]
9. Keep on practicing and accomplishing these things which you folks both learn and accept (or: learned and received alongside) - even [what] you heard and saw within me.Now then, the God of the Peace, which is this Joining, (or: And so this God, the source and quality of peace; Also, the God which is this Joined- harmony) will continue existing in company with you folks (or: will constantly be with you folks). [cf Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; 1 Thes. 5:23]
Recalling Phil. 2:13, all of these admonitions must be understood as deriving from being a part of the Vine (Jn. 15:4, abiding in Him), and thus, "God is the One habitually operating with inward activity, repeatedly working within, constantly causing function and progressively producing effects within, among, and in union with, you folks."
In verses 12-13, Paul shares what he has learned from his own experiences:
12. From having seen, I recognize, know, appreciate, and am aware, of [what it is like] to be repeatedly made low [on provisions, or in status], and as well, I have seen, recognize, know, appreciate and am aware, of [what it is like] to be continuously surrounded by more than enough (or: I have seen, and thus know, both to be humbled, and I have seen, and thus know, to be onstantly and excessively abounding). I have been instructed to shut the mouth, and I am initiated into the secret (or: mystery): within everything and within the midst of all things (or: among all people), both to be (or: [how] to be) habitually feeding until satisfied, and to be (or: as well as [how] to be) habitually hungry; both to be (or: [how] to be) constantly and excessively abounding (continuously surrounded by more than enough), and to be (or: as well as [how] to be) repeatedly in need (or: lacking). [cf 1 Cor. 4:9-13]
13. In union with, and within the midst of, Christ, the One continuously enabling me (empowering me; infusing me with power, ability, potentiality, and a means of influence), I keep on having strength in, and for, all things, and among all people. [cf Jn. 15:5; 2 Cor. 12:9]
In verses 18-20, he makes some concluding remarks on practical matters of this life:
18. But now I am continually holding possessions from (collecting; or: = receiving payment for what is due me from) all things and from all folks; I am even constantly superabounding (being surrounded by more than enough). I have been filled full, and am fully supplied, after receiving from beside Epaphroditus the things from your side: an odor of a sweet fragrance (a fragrant aroma), an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God (or: with God; for God; in God). [cf 2 Cor. 9:12; Heb. 13:16]
19. So (or: In turn; But; And) my God will continue and progressively be filling to the full your every need (or: will keep on making full all lack which pertains to you folks) down from His wealth [being] within [the] glory residing within Christ Jesus (or: that accords to His wealth that resides within the opinion or imagination [which is] within Christ Jesus; or: to the level of His riches, within a manifestation of splendor which calls forth praise, within Christ Jesus; or: down through His abundance, within the reputation [arising from] within the midst of Christ Jesus; or: in the sphere of and in line with His riches [which are] in union with a glory within an anointing from Jesus; or: commensurate with those riches belonging to Him, in the midst of an assumed appearance centered in Christ Jesus). [cf Ps. 23:1; 2 Cor. 9:8]
What did Paul mean by what he said about God's wealth that resides within Christ Jesus? To help us understand his words, on offer, in the final parenthetical expansion of this verse, are alternate renderings of the compound prepositional phrase (which begins with: 'down from His wealth') with which Paul ends this verse. Each option gives a different way of rendering the first preposition ('kata'), as well as the second preposition ('en') and the third preposition ('en,' again). Also of note are the various meanings of the word first given as 'glory,' (doxa). We trust that each reading will unveil a different nuance which can be gleaned as we meditate on Paul's words.
20. Now in our God and Father [is] the glory (or: Now for our God and Father [is] the reputation; Yet by God, even our Father, [is] the manifestation which calls forth praise; So to our God and Father [is] the good opinion; But with our God and Father [is] the imagination and the assumed Appearance) on into the indefinite and unseen time periods of the ages! It is established (Amen; Count on it)!
We view Paul's final words of this letter, in both vs. 20 and then vs. 23, as statements of facts, in regard to the new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).
23. The Grace of (or: The joy-bringing Favor belonging to, and having its source in; The grace which is) our Lord [with other MSS: the Owner and Master], Jesus Christ, [is] with the spirit of you folks (or: [is] with your corporate breath-effect; or: [is] with the character and attitude manifested through you folks; [other MSS: {is} with all of you]). It is established (Amen; Believe it)!
Jonathan
Return To Jonathan Mitchell's Page