Philippians 4:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4

Christian joy. No doubt the apostle used a common expression of parting salutation, similar to our "farewell," when he wrote the word which we translate "rejoice." But it is certain that he was not one to employ conventional language as an empty form. Old familiar words, often repeated quite thoughtlessly, were taken by him in their full original signification. So when Christ said, "Peace be with you," he uttered a familiar phrase of parting; but he breathed into it a deep meaning, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4-5

Rejoicing always. I. THE POSSIBILITY OF IT . The command to rejoice always appears to be one which it is impossible that we should obey. This impossibility vanishes when we remember that we are to rejoice "in the Lord." Note the frequency of this expression in this Epistle. St. Paul profoundly realizes that the Christian soul is living in a sphere not recognizable by the outward senses, but which is ever present to the eye of faith. If we are living in the Lord we can always... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4-7

The key-note of the Epistle: holy joy, with its blessed results. I. THE DUTY OF REJOICING . 1 . The Christian should learn to rejoice always. The word "always" is emphatic. There lies the difficulty, there too lies the blessedness, of rejoicing in the Lord. It is easy to rejoice in moments of excitement, but to rejoice always , in affliction, in pain, in weariness, in disappointment, is difficult indeed. St. Paul had learned the lesson which he teaches—he rejoiced in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:5

Let your moderation be known unto all men ; rather, forbearance , or gentleness. The word ἐπιείκεια (here the neuter adjective is used) is translated "gentleness" in 2 Corinthians 10:1 , where it is attributed to our Lord himself. In the Aristotelian' Ethics' it stands for the temper which contents itself with less than its due, and shrinks from insisting on its strict rights. There is no joy in a narrow selfishness; joy involves an open heart, a generous love. Joy in the Lord... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:5

The virtue of forbearance. "Let your forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is at hand?" I. THE NATURE OF THIS VIRTUE . 1 . It is the opposite of contention and aggrandizement , rigour and severity. 2 . It is the spirit that enables a man to bear injuries with patience and not to demand all that is rightly his due , for the sake of peace. The apostle corrected the litigios spirit of the Corinthians by asking them, "Why do ye not rather take wrong?" ( 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing ; rather, as R.V., in nothing be anxious. ΄έριμνα is anxious, distracting care. St. Paul does not wish his converts to be careless, but to be free from that over-anxiety about worldly things which might distract their thoughts from the service of God, and hinder their growth in holiness. Comp. 1 Peter 5:7 , where the apostle bids us cast all our care ( μέριμνα ) upon God. The thought of the Lord's nearness should lead us both to be forbearing in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6

The cure for anxiety. I. THE DISEASE . We must, of course, be careful for many things, in the sense of taking thought about them or taking pains in working on them. Christianity does not favor indolent improvidence; for it teaches, "If a man will not work neither let him eat." Nor does it encourage reckless carelessness; for it everywhere instils a thoughtful, conscientious sense of responsibility. What it does discourage is anxiety. 1 . This is painful. How painful most of us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

A cure for care. The apostle forbids harassing anxiety and enjoins prayerfulness as the sure way to peace. "Be anxious for nothing." Mark— I. THE WISE COUNSEL OF THE APOSTLE . 1 . This does not mean that we are not to be anxious about duty. We ought to have a deep concern for every interest of God's kingdom. A certain measure of anxious thought is necessary to the efficient performance of every duty of life. 2 . It means that we are not to be anxious about the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace. I. WHAT IT IS . God's own peace; that which he himself possesses. It is the peace which our Lord had and which he promised to his disciples: "My peace I give unto you." It is, therefore, no mere superficial freedom from external troubles, but a deep-seated harmony with God the Source of all peace. Thus it transcends human understanding and human expression. II. WHAT PREVENTS OUR POSSESSING IT ? Over-anxiety and worry. These are a kind of practical atheism,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding . The peace which God gives, which flows from the sense of his most gracious presence, and consists in childlike confidence and trustful love. This peace passeth all understanding; its calm blessedness transcends the reach of human thought; it can be known only by the inner experience of the believer. The similar passage, Ephesians in 20, "Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," seems decisive for... read more

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