PHIL 4.1-8

1/ INTRODUCTION of 4.1-9

Philippians 4 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement 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 reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

STRUCTURE of 4.1-9

Paul’s mind turned to various matters in the church. Throughout the epistle there are hints of disunity among the congregation, and Paul countered that disunity with

strong doctrinal () and

practical () instruction.

This chapter presents the only tangible evidence as to what the problem might have been, and the evidence is scarce. Several exhortations occur in these verses:

to steadfastness (),

Verse 1 of chapter 4 has as its burden the exhortation to stand firm, and this exhortation looks simultaneously backward and forward. The backward part is clear from the first word.

to unity (),

Verse 1 of chapter 4 has as its burden the exhortation to stand firm, and this exhortation looks simultaneously backward and forward. The backward part is clear from the first word.

to joy and peace (), and

to the proper outlook ().

“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!” That is, the argument picks up from the end of chapter 3, where as we saw, Paul has warned people about false leaders and bad examples.

Many of the themes in this last chapter have already been introduced in to 3, but when they are repeated here, Paul casts them in such a way, as we shall see, that they foster endurance, perseverance, keeping on going. This will become clear, I think, as we precede.

Some interpreters question where this section begins. Since is obviously transitional, a case may be made for including it in the previous section. Grammatically it is natural for a “so then” (hōste) clause to look forward. There is a parallel in , which, looking forward in the text, applies the truths of Jesus’ self-emptying to the church. Here, Paul applied the truths of chap. to the practical church life. For that reason, is included in the exhortations of the final chapter.

What is Happening in Chap 3?

1. Exhortation to Avoid False Teachers ()

2. The False Teachers’ Character Exposed ()

3. Characteristics of Paul’s Opponents ()

Paul described them and then explained their characteristics. He was sad,

first of all, because he had to make repeated warnings about them. They apparently followed him about, seeking to entice people away from the truth. Doubtless, repeated efforts to counter that brought on fatigue.

Second, he called them enemies of the cross. The statement must mean more than that they refused to accept the cross as God’s way of reconciliation. It means that they actively opposed the message of the cross and hindered those who would take advantage of its work.

Paul exposed these teachers by revealing their character. Four statements explain their theology and practice, although little is known about them.

The first characteristic looks to their eternal condition: Their end was destruction. Destruction does not necessarily mean loss of existence since its opposite is salvation (). The direction they were going was enough to warn the church.

The second and third characteristics point to the way they had lived before that time. These two belong together because they are linked in the Greek text by one relative pronoun.

Two relative pronouns introduce the first three characteristics. The first, ὧν, literally reads “whose end is destruction.” The second relative ὧν joins the two into one clause and reads literally “whose God is their stomach and their glory is in their shame.” The next characteristic does not have the relative pronoun introducing it.

Finally, they minded earthly things.

4. Characteristics of True Believers ()

3:20–21 Paul ended this comparison by presenting a Christian perspective. He specifically contrasted the earthly with the heavenly. Paul stated that “our citizenship is in heaven.” The metaphor had rich meaning to the Philippians. They were proud of their Roman citizenship, but the analogy would have conveyed more. Philippi was an outpost colony, and, interestingly, Paul was at the home base in Rome. Regularly they awaited news from the capital to know how to conduct their business. When Paul said that they belonged to a citizenship, he spoke directly to them.

5. Looking Forward

Many of the themes in this last chapter have already been introduced in to 3, but when they are repeated here, Paul casts them in such a way, as we shall see, that they foster endurance, perseverance, keeping on going. This will become clear, I think, as we precede.

2/EXHORTATION TO UNITY

Philippians 4:2–3 ESV

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Here we have the only tangible evidence as to what the problem might have been…in the whole epistle

What is shocking about this situation is these two women are not peripheral people known for their bad tempers and wagging tongues and little else.

No. They are (verse 3) women who have worked with Paul in the cause of the gospel. They have been at the forefront of evangelism. These are not backseat busybodies. “They have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,” Paul says. There’s no hint or heresy or immorality in them. They simply cannot get on.

What does Paul do?

1. I Entreat...

It means, to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage, to make a strong request for something, request, implore, entreat

to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage

to make a strong request for something, request, implore, entreat

Paul has the strong belief that these women are Christians thus teachable…alive

example of the church who was seen as dead...

2. To Agree...

The root of the problem, explained in chap 1, 2, (and 3 with Paul's example)

3. Help Them...

True Companion:

Or “faithful fellow worker.” This is more likely a descriptive noun, although some scholars interpret the word σύζυγος (suzugos) here as a proper name (“Syzygos”), . - We do not know

How to resolve a conflict?

To make them agree about the truth...

Case Study

I think in order to be able to

resolve the conflict and not to be corrupted by each point of view and negative feeling or emotion (anger, cry,…), the first step is to not follow both games, rather to stay neutral.

Which implies not to try to find out who is right or wrong. Who has acted badly or not?

For I ultimately will end up blaming and criticizing the person and take party. Which won’t resolve at all the problem.

So, […] what shall I do then?

I think the goal is to bring them both to reach and acknowledge a common truth. It’s not

about my perspective and opinion but what is true and just in such kind of situation. It is obvious, both in some way have hurt each other. Even the husband who seemed to be the victim in our case.

I must admit that such a way is worthless unless both are Christian and teachable by the

Word of God. As the word of God is the truth; and the truth is found in Christ. Now, what aspect of Christ’s work can I bring? I guess the obvious one is “Forgiveness”. It is not about what each other has done, bad or

good, nor even how much each one has been hurt. As a Christian, just to think how much more I have been forgiven – finding peace in me first. Then I can forgive others.

3/ EXHORTATION TO REJOICE IN CHRIST JESUS

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. Rejoice

Difference between Joy and being Happy

The key is the difference between happiness and rejoicing. We are happy when things are going the way we like, but we are not expected to be happy in painful experiences (). Joy, on the other hand, is based on the presence of God and his eschatological promises. So when trials come we might not be happy, but we certainly rejoice, having confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness to us.

QUOTE C.S LEWIS: “I do not need Christ to be Happy. A bottle of wine will do the job.”

The text implicitly answers two questions. When are we to rejoice in the Lord? Always. For how long are we to rejoice in the Lord? Always. This is a command not simply good advice. Obedience to this command is possible because the ground of this rejoicing is changeless.

If we are rejoicing in the Lord, he doesn’t change, so for how long do we rejoice? As long as we’re rejoicing in the Lord, as long as the ground is the same. Our circumstances may rightly call from us grief and tears and sorrow and stress and struggle.

2. Let your reasonableness be known...

Reputation

Proverbs 24:1–4 ESV

1 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. 3 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 22:1 ESV

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 24.1-4

The NET Bible

tn Heb “a name.” The idea of the name being “good” is implied; it has the connotation here of a reputation (cf. TEV, CEV, NLT).

reasonableness

It means Gentleness

In the context, where the apostle is urging the Philippians to rejoice in spite of the circumstances, the word poss. “reflects an attitude of contentment with one’s state, even when one has not been treated justly” (M. Silva, Philippians, 2nd ed. [2005], 194).

End purpose

That the name of the Lord/wont be malign (cf. Titus)

Titus 2:1–9 ESV

1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,

titus

3. do not be anxious...

Anxiety

New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, Volumes 1–5 μέριμνα

The most comprehensive NT discussion on the subj. of worry is to be found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 6:25–34), corresponding to the so-called Sermon on the Plain (Luke 12:22–31). As already indicated, more than half of the instances of μεριμνάω occur in these two par. passages. Here Jesus’ words are directed against the error of denying God’s care and love on the assumption that people can secure their own futures by acquiring what they need for their temporary livelihood.

New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, Volumes 1–5 μέριμνα

The same truth is set forth in other passages. Luke’s picture of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42) exhibits the contrast of attitudes described in the Sermon on the Mount. The “many things” over which people tend to worry in order to secure the necessities of life are contrasted with the “one thing” that is necessary. That is the question concerning the purpose of life, the answer to which Mary sees in Jesus’ teaching. Worry is contrasted with zeal for God’s kingdom.

New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, Volumes 1–5 μέριμνα

The parable of the sower likewise sees the reception of the word as imperiled by cares (Mark 4:19 par.), while Luke 21:34 warns against being weighed down by μέριμναι βιωτικαί, the worries characteristic of the present life. The basic point is emphatically made by Peter when he quotes the first clause of Ps 55:22 (55:23) about casting our μέριμνα on God and then adds, “because he cares [μέλει G3508] for you” (1 Pet 5:7). Paul provides further support by saying that we need not worry about anything (Phil 4:6), partly because of the Lord’s proximity (4:5), partly because of the church’s privilege of being able to present all requests in prayer to God with thanksgiving.

Example of the rides that are safe but overwhelming

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 1. Greek Usage.

“anxious expectation of something,” “anxiety in face of something, of what may come,” Aesch. Sept. c. Theb., 843; Ag., 460; Soph. Oed. Tyr., 728; Eur. Ion, 404, in this sense often linked with φόβος, Aesch. Sept. c. Theb., 287 ff.; Pers., 165 ff. But the future ref. may be secondary and may almost disappear, so that μέριμνα has the sense of e. “solicitude” or “grief” about something, with an approximation to λύπη

Example of the rides that are safe but overwhelming

Example of the rides that are safe but overwhelming

Remedy:

Philippians 4:5–6 ESV

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Phil

The Lord is at hand or Near - (verse 5), “The Lord is near.”

This could mean one of two things. It could mean the Lord is near chronologically (that is, his coming is imminent), or it could mean the Lord is near spatially (that is, he is near to every one of us).

(verse 5), “The Lord is near.” This could mean one of two things. It could mean the Lord is near chronologically (that is, his coming is imminent), or it could mean the Lord is near spatially (that is, he is near to every one of us).

If it means the Lord is near temporally (that is, that he is coming soon), then the argument runs like this: “In the light of the impending return of the Lord, there is more than a little incentive to be gentle and selfless.” The Lord’s return provides incentive.

I think what it means is the Lord is near us spatially, or perhaps we should better say, personally. He is not far off. He is very near. How then can we give ourselves to self-promotion?

The Lord is near. Has he not said where two or three gather in his name there he is in the midst? The Lord has promised to be present by his Spirit throughout all ages with his people? He is near. He is near now. He knows our thoughts and our deeds and our ways. He is near.

Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of him with whom we have to do, so shall we spend our lives strutting our importance when he knows better?

This implies Two Things:

DANGER:

Il vous conduira vers un pays ruisselant de lait et de miel. Pour moi, je n’irai pas au milieu de vous, car vous êtes un peuple rebelle et je pourrais vous exterminer pendant le voyage. Exode 33:3 BDS

Exodus 33:3 ESV

3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

Thus it requires Holiness...

Benediction...

let your requests be made known to God, that is PRAY!

Pray about everything. Stay in a mindset of prayer all day. Don't just pray in crises. Pray about everything―that whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do you would glorify God ( ). The most crucial prayer for every situation and action is: “Hallowed by Thy name ().

The peace of God, (different from the Peace with god) [...]

Since we are in peace with god, his peace will be with us

Surpasses all understanding because it goes contrary to human reason…how can you have peace when around all is chaos

will guard...

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words φρουρέω

to keep in a state of settlement or security, Phil. 4:7

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. φρουρέω

gener. to provide security, guard, protect, keep

Not to keep in custody or prison as some other passages will use the term

what?

what? heart and mind...

heart

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 26.3 καρδία, ας

26.3 καρδίαa, ας f: (a figurative extension of meaning of καρδία ‘heart,’ not occurring in the NT in its literal sense) the causative source of a person’s psychological life in its various aspects, but with special emphasis upon thoughts—‘heart, inner self, mind.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains

Though in English the term ‘heart’ focuses primarily upon the emotive aspects of life, in the Greek NT the emphasis is more upon the result of thought, particularly in view of the relationship of καρδία to the Hebrew term leb, which, though literally meaning ‘heart,’ refers primarily to the mind.

and mind…

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words νόημα

νόημα noēma 6× the mind, the understanding, intellect, 2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4; Phil. 4:7;

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. νόημα

that which one has in mind as product of intellectual process

ⓐ thought,

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. νόημα

the faculty of processing thought, mind, understanding

The result. Verse 7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Once again, it is clear Paul does not expect the answers to our prayers will most likely take us out of the problems but that our hearts and our minds will be garrisoned by the peace of God. This is not some bit of clever psychology. At the end of the day, it transcends all understanding, we’re told. It is part of well-known Christian experience and must not be reduced to a bit of escapist comfort.

WHAT IS PEACE?

Once again, it is clear Paul does not expect the answers to our prayers will most likely take us out of the problems but that our hearts and our minds will be garrisoned by the peace of God. This is not some bit of clever psychology. At the end of the day, it transcends all understanding, we’re told. It is part of well-known Christian experience and must not be reduced to a bit of escapist comfort.

Illustration of drawing peace = absence of any human being

Calm for common sense is to remove thoughts

Do not think about that…Control your thoughts

Expel the negative thoughts

The problem is refusing to face the facts…

Peace is not the absence of some thoughts, it is the presence of God himself….

Christian peace gives you the ability to triumph over thoughts….

4/ RESOLVE TO THINK HOLY THOUGHTS

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1. Think..

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 30.9 λογίζομαι; λογισμός, οῦ

λογίζομαιa; λογισμόςa, οῦ m: to think about something in a detailed and logical manner—‘to think about, to reason about, to ponder, reasoning.’

To think, to ponder (= from latin ponderare ‘weigh’)

2. Practice...

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 42.8 πράσσω; πρᾶξις, εως

42.8 πράσσωa; πρᾶξιςa, εως f: to carry out some activity (with possible focus upon the procedures involved)—‘to do, to carry out, to perform, deed.’

After telling the Philippians to think holy thoughts, Paul adds, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. (apply it, live it)

And the God of peace will be with you.” (Verse 9)

Resolve to think holy thoughts.

Verses 8 and 9: “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.”

It sometimes makes me fearful to remember God knows all my thoughts. You may not know my thoughts but God knows them.

You’re not going to get rid of trash in your mind unless you replace it with something better. You can’t simply look at the trash and say, “I don’t want to think it, I don’t want to think it, I don’t want to think it,” because all the time you’re saying that you’re still thinking it, but you can replace the trash with something good. There is no enduring sanctification apart from the truth of the gospel taking hold of our minds. That’s why Paul writes in Romans, chapter 12, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Resolve to think holy thoughts. Moreover, , verse 8, is tightly tied to the next.

5/ CONCLUSION

verse of chapter has as its burden the exhortation to stand firm, and this exhortation looks simultaneously backward and forward. The backward part is clear from the first word. “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!” That is, the argument picks up from the end of chapter , where as we saw, Paul has warned people about false leaders and bad examples.

He says, “Watch out for those who parade a certain kind of pseudo-Christianity that may, for a while, take you in. Beware of them.” They are described as those whose god is their belly and whose end is destruction. Don’t be deceived by them. Instead, he says, in chapter , “Emulate those who make much of the cross and whose spiritual life is vital and who are already homesick for heaven. Their citizenship is in heaven. Therefore, my brothers, this is how you should stand firm in the Lord.”

There’s a sense in which chapter , stands as a kind of culmination to what precedes. Yet, it also points forward. In the original language, “This is how you should stand firm in the Lord,” includes in it a little word, thus that regularly (not quite always, but regularly) points forward. We know it in . “For God thus loved the world that he gave his Son.”

many of the themes in this last chapter have already been introduced in to , but when they are repeated here, Paul casts them in such a way, as we shall see, that they foster endurance, perseverance, keeping on going. This will become clear, I think, as we precede.

 1/ I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

What is shocking about this situation is these two women are not peripheral people known for their bad tempers and wagging tongues and little else.

No. They are (verse ) women who have worked with Paul in the cause of the gospel. They have been at the forefront of evangelism. These are not backseat busybodies. “They have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,” Paul says. There’s no hint or heresy or immorality in them. They simply cannot get on.

What does Paul do?

A. Paul pleads with them.

B. Paul asks the person who is to receive this letter to intervene and help the two women sort it out.

C. Paul is not saying to Euodia and Syntyche, “Ladies, on every single point of doctrine in life I expect you to thrash out your differences and arrive at perfection.” In fact, the verb that is used for this unity, this agreement of mind, is used again and again and again in Philippians.

It’s found in . “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded …” Same verb. “… having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” In other words, Paul is appealing for a kind of mental attitude that adopts the same direction as other believers, the same fundamental aim, the same orientation and priorities, and these are gospel priorities.

Some honest differences of opinion amongst genuine believers could easily be resolved if the believers would take the time to sort out why they disagreed, listen to each other, and bow together to Scripture.

first, that we all held a high view of Scripture not merely in theory but in fact; secondly, that we all had enough training to discern a good argument from a bad argument; thirdly, that we had enough humility of mind to say we were wrong; and fourthly, that we had enough time.

Granted those four elements, it has always astonished me and delighted me to no end in these sorts of conferences what degree of unanimity people can find around the Word of God. Clearly, Paul wants that kind of thing, but what he really wants is the kind of unanimity around the truth, this like-mindedness to the gospel that shows each side is pulling in the same direction.

When there are disagreements of principle, argue them out. Take out your Bibles and argue them out. Think things through. Find out why you are disagreeing, but be willing to be corrected. Do it with a certain kind of humility of mind. Be prepared to say, “Yes, you have a good argument there. I hadn’t thought of that. I need to think it over. If that is what Scripture says, I bow to it.” Be willing to be corrected.

2/Rejoice in the Lord always

The ultimate ground of our rejoicing can never be our circumstances even though we recognize as Christians our circumstances are providentially arranged.

The text implicitly answers two questions. When are we to rejoice in the Lord? Always. For how long are we to rejoice in the Lord? Always. This is a command not simply good advice. Obedience to this command is possible because the ground of this rejoicing is changeless.

If we are rejoicing in the Lord, he doesn’t change, so for how long do we rejoice? As long as we’re rejoicing in the Lord, as long as the ground is the same. Our circumstances may rightly call from us grief and tears and sorrow and stress and struggle.

Be known for your gentleness...What do you want to be known for? What’s your public persona? Do you want to be known for your extraordinary good looks? Some of us, I have to confess, don’t have much hope in this regard. Do you want to be known for your quick wit, for your sense of humor, your sagacity, for your wealth, or your family connections? Be known for forbearance. Be known for being self-effacing. Be known for gentleness.

In the context, where the apostle is urging the Philippians to rejoice in spite of the circumstances, the word poss. “reflects an attitude of contentment with one’s state, even when one has not been treated justly” (M. Silva, Philippians, 2nd ed. [2005], 194).

Not the idea of being meek and naive

The “self” sins are tricky. They are really damnably treacherous. In one of his books, The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer wrote more than 50 years ago now, “To be specific, the self sins are these: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others like them.

(verse ), “The Lord is near.” This could mean one of two things. It could mean the Lord is near chronologically (that is, his coming is imminent), or it could mean the Lord is near spatially (that is, he is near to every one of us).

If it means the Lord is near temporally (that is, that he is coming soon), then the argument runs like this: “In the light of the impending return of the Lord, there is more than a little incentive to be gentle and selfless.” The Lord’s return provides incentive. As the apostle John writes elsewhere, “Everyone who has this hope …” That is, the hope of the Lord’s return and of our transformation at that time. “Everyone who has this hope purifies himself just as he is pure.”

But, to be frank, if you push me to the wall, I don’t think it’s talking about how the Lord is near temporally. The language used here is not what Paul normally uses when he’s talking about that theme. I think what it means is the Lord is near us spatially, or perhaps we should better say, personally. He is not far off. He is very near. How then can we give ourselves to self-promotion?

The Lord is near. Has he not said where two or three gather in his name there he is in the midst? The Lord has promised to be present by his Spirit throughout all ages with his people? He is near. He is near now. He knows our thoughts and our deeds and our ways. He is near. Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of him with whom we have to do, so shall we spend our lives strutting our importance when he knows better? There’s a fundamental dishonesty to it. We may take one another in, but we’re not taking him in. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

Christians who come before the Father in regular prayer times discover Peter is right. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” They discover Paul is right. “And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”

cf. 1Peter

The result. Verse : “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Once again, it is clear Paul does not expect the answers to our prayers will most likely take us out of the problems but that our hearts and our minds will be garrisoned by the peace of God. This is not some bit of clever psychology. At the end of the day, it transcends all understanding, we’re told. It is part of well-known Christian experience and must not be reduced to a bit of escapist comfort.

Resolve to think holy thoughts. Verses and : “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.” It sometimes makes me fearful to remember God knows all my thoughts. You may not know my thoughts but God knows them.

You’re not going to get rid of trash in your mind unless you replace it with something better.You can’t simply look at the trash and say, “I don’t want to think it, I don’t want to think it, I don’t want to think it,” because all the time you’re saying that you’re still thinking it, but you can replace the trash with something good. There is no enduring sanctification apart from the truth of the gospel taking hold of our minds.That’s why Paul writes in Romans, chapter , “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Resolve to think holy thoughts. Moreover, , is tightly tied to the next. After telling the Philippians to think holy thoughts, Paul adds, “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.” (Verse )

Peace - cf. Tim Keller