”4:8 Mandates”~ Philippians 4:1-9

“4:8 MANDATES…” ~ Philippians 4:1-9  THEME Chapter 4: Shows that CHRIST IS Our Strength…Our Motivator & Energizer. Not only is he moving upon us to want the right things, but he makes it possible for us to then do them as well. He provides the dynamic that fulfills the desire. Chapter 4 provides  closing exhortations to Philippians Philippians 4:1-9 1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 [a]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Verses 1-3 Exhortation To UNITY VS.1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. Therefore,  connects back to 3:20:21 ( no chpt. Breaks in the MSS.)…saying because , of our citizenship being from heaven & our anticipation of Christ’s return here are final exhortations  that I have on my heart concerning you   Verses 1-3 Exhortation To UNITY VS.1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. Beloved ,  and longed-for brethren (literally ‘divinely loved ones & longed for ones’)  beloved mentioned twice+ the connection with longed for brethren  in this verse shows Paul’s passionate love for this church,,, he had both Agape & Phileo for them Crown…A victors wreath /garland  placed upon the head of the victor in athletic contests…it was also used for military valor and used in festive celebrations of gladness. Here Paul metaphorically calls the Saints of Phillipi His Crown as he had won them over to the Gospel Standfast..stand firm, persevere, persist Phil. 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving togeth  I Cr. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. er for the faith of the gospel; Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Vs. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.Vs.33 [a]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Euodia (yoo-od-ee-ah) fragrance or prosperous journey …. Syntyche(soon-too-kay)  pleasant acquaintance ….(Odius & Soontouchy). These were well known women in this fellowship who had even helped found this church Urge this is a strong expression used by Paul ….meaning ‘I exhort, I beg , I plead…PLEASE’ be reconciled to each other…notice Paul’s plea is in LOVE not the demand of an Authoritarian, he could have invoked his ‘Apostolic Authority’…Instead he approaches them with the meekness & humility shown in Love for them Same mind …be in Harmony this issue addressed before 1:27-30 stand fast in one spirit…2:1-4 Place others needs above their own & be likeminded…personal examples Jesus 2:5-8,,,2:1930 Timothy & Epaphroditus Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Verses 1-3 Exhortation To UNITY Vs. 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.Vs.33 [a]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. true companion(True yokefellow) a term used of oxen placed in a yoke  used in marriage, comradeship…’pull-together’, literally..one who pulls together in a double harness…this word Paul uses shows Him expressing more of His Authority as an Apostle…like giving an order to be carried out by a faithful soldier…in this case not exactly sure who it was, yet possibly Epaphroditus…this person was to be an example for these women who did not know hoa to ‘pull together’. these women who labored with me these two women had worked together w/Paul before in the work of the Gospel yet now had issues with each other Phil. 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. I Cr. 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!   Verse 4: Exhortation To REJOICING: Vs.4) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Here the theme of REJOICING is repeated again (3:1) , this time in view of even going through discouragements & trials….chairo..to be exceedingly joyful & glad, to be happy to thrive…used as a salutation….literally ‘Be Rejoicing ALWAYS’(shows a double emphasis in Grk) A repeated theme of this epistle…1:18,2:16-18,28,3:1,3 REJOICE in & Thru all circumstances (not FOR them) ISAIAH 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.     Verse 4: Exhortation To REJOICING: Vs.4) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Hab. 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud     and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails     and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen     and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,     I will be joyful in God my Savior. JAMES 1:2-3 Rejoice in trials I Pe. 4:13 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. PSALMS Rejoicing Mentioned 54x….9:2,20:5,31:7,32:11,33:21,68:3,70:4,96:11,12,97:12,98:4 Proverbs 29:6 By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.   VERSE 5: EXHORTATION TO GENTLENESS/MODERATION 5 Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Moderation(Kjv)/gentleness …reasonable, forebearance,  mild, fair, equitable “your sweet reasonableness”..of a kind & gentle disposition ..showing consideration of others, not insisting on one’s own way Phil. 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Phil. 2:3-4 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.         VERSE :6-7 EXHORTATION TO Thanksgiving & Peace 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will...