Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.In the Lord ... The type of rejoicing commanded here is possible only for the redeemed in Christ. After almost 2,000 years, the incredibly beautiful power of this letter still shines. How could such a document have been written from a prison? Surely its writer was "in the Lord Jesus Christ." read more
Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."Moderation" is a better word than "forbearance" here, because it covers a lot more ground. The Christian is to be moderate in all things, acting with restraint, and without bigotry, avoiding all excesses and extremes of every kind. The Christian community should be known "unto all men," not for demanding their rights, but for their moderation.The Lord is at hand ... As Foulkes said, "This may refer to the nearness of the Lord to... read more
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.In nothing be anxious ... In Matthew 6:25-34, our Lord gave extensive admonition on the subject of anxiety; and reference is here made to the comment on those passages in my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 6:25ff. In order to avoid anxiety here, Paul followed exactly the instruction given by the Lord during his ministry.We must agree with Hendriksen that Paul's... read more
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.The peace of God ... This was described by Hendriksen as "The smile of God reflected in the soul of the believer, the heart's calm after Calvary's storm, the conviction that God who spared not his own Son will surely also, along with him, freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)."[19]Passeth all understanding ... Those who see it manifested in the lives of Christians cannot understand... read more
Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway:— The Apostle, in this advice, seems to have a respect to thesuffering condition in which it appears, by other passages in the Epistle, that he considered them. This is confirmed by the strain of his advice in the next verses. See ch. Philippians 2:18 Philippians 3:1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16. read more
Philippians 4:5. Let your moderation be known— Let your meekness, &c.—The Lord is nigh you. Both the parts of this verse shew, that St. Paul considers the Philippians in a state of persecution. Gentleness, or meekness, (which is the import of the original (το επιεικες ),) was peculiarly suited hereto; and the Lord's being at hand, was a proper motive to excite them to bear their sufferings with such temper. And as the adversaries against whom, at least principally, he encourages them, were... read more
Philippians 4:6. With thanksgiving,— When St. Paul directs them to join thanksgiving with prayer and supplication, in their suffering condition, he appears to have the same design before noticed; namely, to divert them from the frightful view of persecution, and to put them in mind, as he does ch. Php 1:29-30 that their being called hereunto was a gracious gift, for which they ought to be thankful. Instead of, be careful for nothing, it would be more proper to read, with Dr. Heylin, be... read more
Philippians 4:7. And the peace of God, &c.— This expression is only found here and in Colossians 3:15. In both some understand it of that peaceable temper which God hath commanded; but it seems much more easy and natural to understand it of that peace which we have with God. St. Paul is here arming the Philippians against persecution; nor could anything be a greater support to them under it, than the peace of God thus understood; for the sense of it will make the heaviest afflictions and... read more
4. ( :-.) alway—even amidst the afflictions now distressing you ( :-). again—as he had already said, "Rejoice" (Philippians 3:1). Joy is the predominant feature of the Epistle. I say—Greek, rather, "I will say." read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 4:7
which passeth = surpassing. Greek. huperecho. Compare Philippians 3:8 , See Romans 13:1 . Compare Ephesians 3:20 . all understanding = every mind, or thought (Greek. nous), keep = garrison. Greek. phronreo. See on 2 Corinthians 11:32 , Occurs: Galatians 1:3 , Gal 1:23 , 1 Peter 1:5 . minds = thoughts. Greek. noema, See 2 Corinthians 2:11 . through = in. App-104 . Christ Jesus . App-98 . read more