Phil 4:4–7

Have you ever had a problem? I know you’re thinking, “Preacher, what a stupid question! Of course I’ve had problems! Everyone has!” I know; there are innumerable kinds of problems. But how do you deal with them?

Paul had been imprisoned in Rome as a result of his appeal to Caesar, but he had great success in his evangelism and his work. He took the time to write to the church he established in Philippi to do two main things: one, to thank them for their support in his work, and two, to grow in congregational unity so they can face coming opposition and persecution.

As he writes, Paul uses the same rhetorical strategy he does in many of his letters: he describes his current situation and behavior, encouraging his audience to follow the pattern he has set for them. As he concludes, he gives a short, memorable summary of what how they can prepare themselves to deal with persecution coming their way.

Paul tells the Philippians that the only way they’ll make it is by seeing things in a different way, that they can only persevere through opposition and trials by keeping a heavenly perspective. I would hesitate to call much of our modern experience “persecution,” but a focus on spiritual vision is still necessary for perseverance in the faith. We still experience problems that threatens to shake our faith.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your considerate spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7)

We will discuss how to overcome these problems from Paul’s advice to the Philippians.

Keep a heavenly perspective at all times.

“Rejoice in the Lord aways! Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)

Throughout this entire passage, Paul uses a series of “all” statements. While we often say that “all” means “all,” context is king. Sometimes “all” is used to make a contrast. As we come across these “all” statements, we’ll ask which one Paul means.

So which does Paul mean when he says to rejoice “always”? This one is really easy. Notice that Paul limits it immediately by adding “in the Lord.”

This fits with other biblical passages such as James 4:9, where James told hypocritical Christians,

“Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.”

Rejoicing in the Lord means rejoicing when Christ is glorified and God’s will is done. There are times when rejoicing is inappropriate, but the Christian life should be filled with joy!

Rejoice—you serve God!

The basis of our Christian joy is our service to a loving and holy God. Acts 5:41 tells about Peter and John after they were let out of the Sanhedrin:

“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41)

Regarding this passage, John Chrysostom, one of the first Christians to write commentaries on the Bible, said this:

“If scourging and bonds, which seem to be the most grievous of all things, bring forth joy, what else will be able to produce grief in us?”

Like Peter and John, you can rejoice knowing your behavior glorifies to God. Of course, this first requires you to actually be right with God.

Like we read from James earlier, you can’t draw close to God if you’re still living a sinful life! Take joy in your faithfulness.

Rejoice—God can use your hardship for good!

On top of that, we can rejoice in our sufferings because they are not vain. Earlier in this epistle, Paul explained his own personal commitment to rejoicing:

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.” (Phil 1:18)

Paul said that, although he was in prison, he resolved to be joyful because men were preaching Christ was and glorifying His name as a result of Paul’s difficulty. Paul even said that there were some in Caesar’s household (probably slaves of the emperor) who believed and were now saints (4:22).

It is often difficult to adjust your mindset in the moment, so surround yourself ahead of time with people who can remind you of this truth.

Missionaries who have been through difficult times and preached the Gospel anyway; people who were once suicidal, but now help others with mental health; widows who comfort others dealing with loss; abuse victims who encourage and lift up others. Focus on how you can use the experience to help others later.

Even if your situation is terribly difficult, you can still rejoice if you focus what’s really important: Keep a heavenly perspective at all times.

Keep a heavenly perspective toward all people.

“Let your considerate spirit be known to all men.” (4:5)

I want you to notice this term: “considerate spirit,” “gentleness,” or “meekness.” These all signify one of the most difficult words in the New Testament to adequately translate. Here are some definitions:

“The one who by choice and habit does what is equitable, and who does not stand on his rights unduly, but is content to receive a smaller share although he has the law on his side.” (Aristotle)

“The perfect balance between compassion and care on the one hand and logic and reason on the other.” (Kevin Rhodes)

This word describes a character trait, of which “gentleness,” “kindness,” and “reasonableness” are effects.

Paul described this amazing quality earlier, telling the Philippians:

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

It’s about not trying to get your way, even though you know that you deserve it, because you care.

Be patient with Christians.

Before you can worry about your attitude toward anyone else, you must first learn how to treat your brothers and sisters.

In the previous section (4:1–3), Paul addressed a personal conflict between Euodia and Syntyche, who were not getting along for some reason. The conflict isn’t important; Paul has been trying to get the church to “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil 1:27).

Learn to get along with your fellow Christians.

Instead of getting on social media and bashing everyone who’s wrong, use patience and gentleness. It’s possible that they deserve it, but consider what kind of effect you’ll have. You won’t convince them or make known your “considerate spirit.”

Show patience and gentleness to other Christians for their sake and for the sake of those who are watching you.

Be patient with non-Christians.

This is the thrust of “all men” or “all people.” Paul instructs them not just to have a gentle spirit, but to let it be known to everyone. Prioritize what your reputation is, because that affects how people view Christ. Listen to how Paul says it elsewhere:

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.” (Titus 3:1–2)

To a certain extent, it doesn’t matter what people think, because we will remain faithful to God no matter what, but God wants us to think beyond that.

Again, the impact of “gentleness” is the that we have the “right” to act a certain way, but we refrain out of patience and compassion—because we have a higher mission. Our purpose is to have spiritual influence and to save souls.

Be patient and gentle to everyone because you want them to share eternal life with you. Keep a heavenly perspective toward all people.

Keep a heavenly perspective in all situations.

“The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil 4:5b-6)

This is such a rich section!

Draw close to God.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (Jas 4:8)

Paul states this not as a possibility, but as a short, simple fact: The Lord is near. I do not believe this is a nearness of time, but a nearness of relationship. God will be as close a friend to you as you will let Him.

The Lord is close to you, meaning He is ready to help you and to walk with you through pleasant times and through difficulty.

This is a reason to draw closer to Him, to lean on Him for support.

Lean on God.

Here, Paul gives two commands: “Be anxious for nothing,” and “let your requests be made known unto God.” While they are technically separate, they really overlap. You avoid anxiety by bringing your needs to God.

Instead of letting worry and stress and fear overtake you, trust in God to protect you and to accomplish His will.

Despite being in Roman prison, Paul never spoke with fear or worry, but trusted that everything would turn out.

Tell God your problems instead of letting them fester like infected mental wounds. Give to God your worries, for only God has the power to deal with them effectively, and then set them aside.

Some preachers criticize those who pray more in difficult times than in good, but I think it’s very natural. Sure, you must foster a holy relationship with God through prayer at all times. But the times when you are hurting, sorrowful, anxious, depressed, or needy are exactly when you need God the most.

At these times, don’t drift from God, but draw near and lean on His strength.

Give thanks to God.

Our prayers are not demands, but petitions given “with thanksgiving” or gratitude.

Maintain a thankful attitude toward God. Remember what He’s done for you when you receive or when you experience loss.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

Although Job lost everything, he chose to focus on and recognize the blessings God gave to begin with. By keeping this attitude of satisfaction and gratitude, he avoided the sorrow Satan wanted him to suffer.

You may lose your friends and your family, you may deal with financial and medical struggles, but if you remain faithful to God, you will never lose your home in heaven! Remember the gifts God presents before you.

God is close by, no matter what you’re going through; keep a heavenly perspective in all situations.

Enjoy heavenly blessings beyond all the world.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7)

Paul uses the literal expression “which excels beyond every mind,” which most translators interpret as meaning “beyond comprehension.” This is true, but I think it may mean more than that.

The city of Philippi was a Roman colony. This meant it was basically a tax haven for retired Roman veterans. Because of their intense patriotism, Paul uses a number of allusions that would resonate well with them. When Paul speaks of the “Peace of God,” I suspect many of the Philippians would immediately contrast it mentally with the “Peace of Rome” — the Pax Romana. The Pax Romana was the peace that Rome effected in the areas it controlled. This was a peace won over through intense warfare.

The Peace of Rome defended and protected the Roman provinces from internal and external threats, like invaders and riots. Similarly, the Peace of God defends and protects us from internal and external threats, like difficulty or discouragement, like persecution or pain.

However, the Peace of God is infinitely more powerful than the Peace of Rome or any other kind of human peace. Not only is its effect incomprehensible, so is its origin. It doesn’t come from battles won, but from divine self-sacrifice.

We cannot provide peace for ourselves, and neither can anyone else, that comes close to comparison with that which God delivers. This world is not our home and doesn’t come close to providing what God can and will provide.

This passage isn’t a command to have peace within ourselves. It’s a promise from God that if we “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us.”

If you keep an earthly perspective, all you can hope for is temporary, shallow, earthly peace.

Keep a heavenly perspective and God will give you heavenly peace.