I can do everything through Him who gives me strength v13
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy
and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with
each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these
women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with
Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed
your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no
opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I
have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to
be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me
strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover,
as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the
gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the
matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in
Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I
am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your
account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied,
now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a
fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will
meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are
with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those
who belong to Caesar's household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
In the closing chapter Paul applies to the
church at Philippi some of the essential principles he has taught in the
letter. The issue of disunity (1-3) is addressed in the spirit of Chapter 2.
Prayer (4-7) has a key role as it had in Chapter 1. Paul himself (10-19) as
someone who has discovered the secret of the believer’s contentment is built on
the analysis of Chapter 3.
We approach this chapter in a slightly
different way, grouping together the issues concerning church life at Philippi
– but it is helpful to see the outline of the chapter:
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER:
o
Stand firm against enemies v1
o
A plea for unity 2-3
o
Joy and peace the result of prayer 4-7
o
And the result of right thinking 8,9
o
Sharing, stewardship and Paul’s secret 10-19
o
Final words 20-23
NOTABLE VERSES:
6 Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
LINKS WITH PREVIOUS CHAPTERS:
|
Verses |
Subject |
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
|
1 |
Stand firm against enemies |
27 |
15 |
2, 18,19 |
|
3,4 |
Plea for unity |
|
3,14 |
15 |
|
4-7 |
Prayer leads to joy & peace |
3+4,9,19, |
|
|
|
8,9 |
Peace is the result of right thinking |
9,10 (discern) |
4 |
8 (consider) 15, 19+20 |
|
10-19 |
Sharing, stewardship and Paul’s secret |
5, 21 |
1,20 (Timothy) 25, |
7+8 |
|
20-23 |
Closing words |
- |
- |
- |
That this was a church beloved by Paul is evident. They were people who were capable of stirring him to great joy and feeling when he thought of them. His prayers were marked by gratitude to God for them.
These were believers with a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship. They were marked out as the ones who ministered to him at this difficult time. (16) even though at times they were not able for whatever reasons to send him aid. (10)
Paul is confident that God will continue to work in them so that their spiritual life is perfected – his prayer for them is for a continuance of that work and a growing awareness of what is right.
This church produced those who worked
alongside Paul and had leaders who were known for their commitment. (3)
But Paul has concerns for them – some of
these are the result of interference from outside, and some from a breakdown
within the fellowship itself. In this
chapter Paul addresses these issues. He commends to them these things:
o
Unity
o
Prayer
o
Right thinking
o
Sharing and stewardship
That list will provide the central outline
for this closing study.
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with
each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these
women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with
Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Building on what he has said in Chapter 2, Paul addresses a particular instance of disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche.
We are not told any of the details of what issue it was that decided them – but that does not matter, what matters is that they were divided by disagreement. Such division within the fellowship can have far reaching implications.
Presumably if it had been doctrine Paul would have addressed it. He does not do so. They had fallen out over something else.
His plea is based upon: a direct appeal to the two concerned, and an appeal to someone who has responsibility at Philippi along with others in the fellowship.
2 I plead with Euodia and
I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
Notice how he appeals to them individually “with Euodia” “with Syntyche” “agree with each other in the Lord”.
This is a personal disagreement requiring personal attention. The family of the Church is harmed by such disagreements and the first appeal is to the ones who have fallen out:
Agree with each other in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you,
loyal yokefellow, help these women…
The family of the church which is affected by these problems must share in addressing them. The leadership – and presumably it is the leadership that is here addressed – must “help”.
How?
Certainly by being concerned and sensitive. Listening to each in turn so as to understand the real differences between them and then mediating the other’s position. This is a ministry for careful and gentle hands as well as a firm regard for the needs of the whole fellowship. It will succeed if the two ladies heed Paul’s advice and the church as a whole addresses the issue helpfully.
Notice how this problem draws out from Paul a threefold view of the Philippian church. (I am indebted to Alec Motyer in “The message of Philippians” for the division[i])
A single task who have contended at my side
Mutual helpfulness help these women
Fundamental oneness whose
names are in the book of life
The unity of a
common task
There was a time when these ladies worked “side by side” with Paul in contending for the gospel. Perhaps the passage of time and the absence of the drive for mission that his presence had given them allowed their disagreement to paralyse their effort – and hazard the health of the whole fellowship.
What they need is not to compromise and broker a truce – grudgingly surrendering a point of view for the common good – but the ability to set it aside so that they can again “contend side by side” Each one “must make the first move” (Motyer)
Perhaps one had wronged the other. Then that must be put right. They must both move towards each other in this.
Perhaps both realise that there is a need to “make up” but neither can accept the individual responsibility for the cause. Forgiveness is a requirement upon Christians.
Perhaps a confidence has been betrayed. One might say “Can I ever trust her again?” Such trust is not easily restored. Perhaps that is where the third party from the fellowship can help.
Whatever the cause – and these are mere speculations – the rift can only be healed “in the Lord”.
Unity by mutual
helpfulness
The rendering of “yoke-fellow” is
difficult. It is possible this leader in the fellowship at Philippi is called
“Syzygus” – either way the ministry required is that of a Barnabas – a ministry
of bringing together.
But it is not just leaders – all the
fellowship has a responsibility. Those who have a share in the “ministry of
reconciliation” should be engaged in conciliation and help. NOT by delving into
the disagreements of others NOR “sorting them out” but by recognising the need
and HELPING.
Those who exercise this ministry must:
Recognise the reason why disunity must not
continue
Recognise that disagreements stop folk
“contending for the Gospel”
See the potential for usefulness in healed
relationships
A fundamental unity restored
“whose names are in the
book of life”
We are reminded of what Paul said about our citizenship being in heaven. (3 v20)
Such disagreements are:
A denial of the nature of the church
A cause for grief to the Master
A flaw in the church’s armour against the world (1 vv27-30)
I wonder if the Book is in alphabetical order. If it is by region or time then their names might even be next to each other!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let
your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Much is said these days about the “happy
clappy” Christianity. Paul makes it clear that JOY is essential – but he links
it with “gentleness that is evident to all” (5) and the coming Lord.
As we saw in our study of Chapter 1 – Paul
has been able to put his own problems into perspective by prayer – prayers that
concentrate on the work God is doing in others, prayer with gratitude. What he said there is here crystallised
into two memorable verses.
It is always easy to be anxious. The remedy lies in an upward looking and
outward looking prayer-life. Of the
words he uses three are asking :
prayer, petition, requests – but all with “thanksgiving”.
Do that, he says, and you can be sure of
the defensive wall: “the peace of God will garrison your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus”. You will be safe in Him.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
As prayer with thanksgiving assured us of
the surrounding defences of peace for hearts – so it does also for minds. How we think is a measure of our faith.
Here Paul actually gives us practical
advice about how we think. You might suppose it was a private thing that? Not for the believer whose thoughts are to
be rendered captive to Christ.
He lists certain VIRTUES
True
Noble
Right
Pure
Lovely
Admirable
They look a shade unfashionable don’t
they? How easily the world “shapes us
into its mould”!
The two sides of our life as Christians
must be in harmony – our devotional and our intellectual lives must tell the
same story – proclaim the same peace.
The thoughtful side of our nature has
already been addressed in this letter.
1 v10 “so
that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ,”
And when Paul himself took stock of his own
life he “considered” all things loss …
Reckoning what matters is part of Christian
discipleship. Getting our priorities right.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed
your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no
opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I
have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to
be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me
strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Two strands are woven together in this
passage: Paul’s secret of a content life, and the place of stewardship in the
Philippian Church.
Let’s look at the Philippian Church record in stewardship
first.
Paul uses certain key words and phrases to
describe it:
o
Concern v10
It is not a matter of habit only – although
the duty of stewardship must be stressed – it is a matter of a spiritual family
being exercised about the needs of others – especially as here where they are
supporting Paul in his missionary work.
Stewardship needs to come from the heart as
well as the pocket. V.10 makes it clear
that it is not always possible to give – but the desire to share in the wider
family of believers is a mark of the flourishing Church.
o
Share 14
14 Yet it was good of you
to share in my troubles.
Stewardship is about SHARING – we’ve seen that earlier in the letter too when it was linked with witness – sharing and shining.
We are not alone, not an island – we are part of His Family. And sharing involves giving what we have as well as receiving what Christ is.
o Repeated 16
16
you sent me aid again and again when I
was in need.
That which marked them out was that they gave when others didn’t – and they kept giving again and again.
It is the mark of a PATTERN OF STEWARDSHIP.
This kind of giving pleases God, says Paul:
o Worship 18
18 the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Jesus constantly told His followers that
their giving should be such as God saw and approved – not such as was done for
man’s approval.
Paul tells them that their fellowship in
stewardship is like the old sacrifices of the O.T.: Fragrant and acceptable to
God.
It was the stewardship of this church that
enabled Paul to go on ministering. It
enabled him to –
Paul’s secret confidence
I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I
know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Oh Paul your claim worries me! I am so short on contentment – not able to
face the changing circumstances.
Yet it’s true. Although he was in prison he did not complain. He came to terms
with his difficulty and saw God working in it for the cause of the Gospel.
How did he manage it? Well we saw in Chapter 1 that it was by that
outward and upward going prayer – prayer with thanksgiving.
It is something as he says here that is
done in the strength of Christ.
This confidence spills over into a
conviction and a promise for them – and also for us:
17 Not
that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your
account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied,
now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a
fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God
will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
What pleasure their giving had given Paul!
What pleasure it was to God!
So Paul gives his final statement in the
matter of profit and loss. In a sharing fellowship of the Lord’s people it is
ALL PROFIT.
MY GOD will meet all YOUR NEEDS according
to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus!
That is what may be credited to our account
– IF we are as faithful in our stewardship.
On that note of generosity Paul closes his
letter.
20 To our God
and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet all
the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All
the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's
household.
23 The grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
©
David A. Green BD Spring 2000
http://www.green-bd.freeserve.co.uk/bible