Philippians 4:4

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Philippians 4:1-9

Prayer Philippians 4:1-9 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The spirit of prayer must ever be the spirit of the believer. He who knows the place and power of prayer knows the victory of the Christian life. He who, in prayer, grasps the hand of God, is grasping the power that rules the world. There is a verse in which we are commanded thus: "Take hold of my power, saith the Lord." We take hold of God's power in the air to run our sailing boats; we take hold of God's power in steam to run our railroad trains;... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4

TRUE JOY‘Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.’ Php_4:4 The bright and joyous tone of this Epistle is well expressed by the frequent repetition of the word ‘rejoice.’ It is the key-note, all its exhortations conclude with this one expression; but here especially the Apostle is very earnest. He is not satisfied with saying, ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway,’ but adds, ‘again I say, Rejoice.’ And observe the subject of this rejoicing is said to be the Lord, our blessed Lord and Saviour... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:1-9

Final Words Of Admonition And Guidance (Philippians 4:1-9 ). Approaching the end of his letter on the glorious note found in the previous verses Paul now takes them back in Philippians 4:1 to that revelation, and also at the same time to his admonition in Philippians 1:27 to ‘stand fast in one Spirit’, although now wording the admonition as to ‘stand fast in the Lord’. Thus the urge to ‘stand fast’, and the basis on which to do so, can be seen as one underlying theme of the letter. Indeed we... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:4

‘Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice.’ The first exhortation is a call to ‘rejoice in the Lord’. It is addressed to the whole church, being repeated from Philippians 3:1. It is not a call just to sing a few hymns, but one that calls on them to face the hardships of the future with confident joy (compare Acts 13:52). Note especially the dual emphasis. Paul did not want to be seen as giving simply an idle exhortation, but desired rather to emphasise the perseverance in rejoicing... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:4-7

Paul Now Gives Final Instructions To His Beloved Philippians (Philippians 4:4-7 ). Paul now commences a series of injunctions in staccato form which are not directly connected in the Greek. In a sense each is separate so as to give it emphasis, although we should recognise that that does not necessarily mean that Paul wanted them to be seen as totally independent of each other. The first is ‘upward’, looking towards the Lord (Philippians 4:4), the second is outward, looking towards the world... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:4-7

Php_4:4-7 . Joy and Peace.— Once again Paul sounds his dominant note of joy. For the fifth and last time he refers to the return of Christ ( cf. Php_1:6 ; Php_1:10, Php_2:16 , Php_3:20 ). He deprecates anxiety and commends his readers to prayer, a consequence of which will be that a peace given by God will guard their hearts and thoughts in Christ, secure from the invasion of anxiety. [The peace passes all human contrivance or ingenuity, not “ all understanding.”— A. J. G.] read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Philippians 4:4

He doth here, considering the importance of Christian cheerfulness, which he had twice before put them upon, Philippians 2:18; Philippians 3:1, stir them up to true rejoicing, not only by repetition of the injunction, but by extending the duty to all times, and under all conditions. For though there be woe to the enemies of Christ’s cross, who laugh at his followers, Luke 6:25; yet they who are really found in him, have evermore ground of rejoicing, for all the benefits of God they have through... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Philippians 4:4

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESPhilippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord.—R.V. margin, “Farewell.” The word is neither “farewell” alone, nor “rejoice” alone (Lightfoot). That the A.V. and R.V. texts are justified in so translating seems clear from the “always” which follows.MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Philippians 4:4Christian Joy—I. Is in the Lord.—“Rejoice in the Lord.” The joy of the Christian is not in his own achievements, still less is it in himself or in his own experiences. A glance at... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:3-4

Philippians 4:3-4 One Spirit and One Body. I. This measureless body, spread out before our eyes in vast outline, so varied, so glorious, so wonderful, is convincement enough of the wealth and grandeur of the Spirit whose body it is, whose manifestation it is. It is God revealing Himself to the eyes of our flesh. The whole body is as full of soul for our souls, as of glory for our eyes. There is soul in the sun, and the earth is full of the same soul. In the beast world, the bird world, the tree... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:4

Philippians 4:4 Christian Cheerfulness. I. We can hardly appreciate the full instruction to be drawn from these words unless we remember St. Paul's condition when he wrote his epistle to the Philippians. He was a prisoner at Rome, and his life hung on the caprice of the insane tyrant who then occupied the imperial throne; his circumstances were so dreary, so comfortless, so hopeless, that, except for his brethren's sake, he desired earnestly that death might release him from his anxiety and... read more

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