Philippians 4

Chapter 4 opens with "Therefore" (4:1). It points back to the end of chapter 3. Their true home is in heaven, and Jesus is coming. So, Paul says, stand firm in the Lord.

He calls them the people he loves and longs to see, "my joy and crown" (4:1). A crown here is like a winner's prize.

Now Paul names two women, Euodia and Syntyche. He urges them "to agree with each other in the Lord" (4:2).

The Bible doesn't say what they disagreed about. But remember what Paul does say. These women "labored with me for the gospel" (4:3). They worked beside Paul. One likely meaning: they were leaders in the church.

Paul doesn't take a side. He asks a trusted friend to help them. He calls this friend his "true yokefellow" (4:3). A yoke joined two animals so they could pull together.

Their names, and the names of Clement and Paul's other coworkers, are in "the Book of Life" (4:3). This is a picture of God's list of everyone who belongs to him.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (4:4).

Let everyone see how gentle you are. "The Lord is near" (4:5).

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (4:6). A petition is a request.

Notice what Paul says to do with worry. He doesn't say to push it down or hide it. He says to bring it to God, with thanks.

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

"Guard" is a soldier's word. Remember, Paul is under Roman guard as he writes. God's peace stands guard over his people.

"Finally" again, Paul says. Think about whatever is true, honorable, and right. Think about whatever is pure, lovely, and admirable. If anything is excellent or worth praise, "think on these things" (4:8).

Whatever they learned from Paul, or saw him do, they should put into practice. "And the God of peace will be with you" (4:9).

Now Paul thanks them for their gift. He rejoices in the Lord that they have shown their care for him again. They always cared, he says. They just didn't have a chance to show it.

Paul isn't saying this because he is in need. "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances" (4:11). Content means at peace with what you have.

He knows how to live with little, and he knows how to live with plenty. He has been full, and he has been hungry. He has had more than enough, and he has gone without.

Then: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (4:13).

Here, "all things" means all the situations he just listed: hungry or full, having plenty or having nothing. Christ gives him strength to face any of them, even chains.

Still, Paul says, it was good of them to share in his troubles.

He remembers the early days. When he left their region, their church was the only one that shared in giving to his work. Even when he was in the city of Thessalonica, they sent help again and again.

Paul isn't looking for a gift, he says. He is looking for what their giving does for them. He calls it "fruit that may be credited to your account" (4:17). This is a picture from keeping money records. Their giving is like a deposit God remembers.

Paul now has more than enough, because of what Epaphroditus brought. Their gift is "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God" (4:18). This is a comparison. Their gift to Paul was a gift to God.

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (4:19). They met Paul's needs. God will meet theirs.

Then Paul praises God. "To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen" (4:20).

Paul sends greetings to every believer there. The believers with him send greetings too.

All God's people where Paul is send greetings, "especially those from the household of Caesar" (4:22).

Caesar was the Roman emperor. His household included the servants and workers of his government. Even there, some people had come to believe in Jesus.

Paul ends the letter the way he began it, with grace: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" (4:23).

The letter began with grace (1:2) and ends with grace. The joy, the peace, and the strength in between all come from it.