Coachlight Bible Study – Philippians Chapter 4 - The Peace Of God

 

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. {perfect…: Heb. peace, peace} {mind: or, thought, or, imagination}

 

We have learned so far in the Prison Epistles that what God desires of His people is the correct “mind set”.  I don’t know if Paul had the above verse in mind when he wrote chapter four because he never actually quoted it, but God had the same message in Isaiah’s time.  The results of the God pleasing correct mind set is peace in three important areas of life while on this earth.

The first result of the correct mind set is having the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ.  Here Paul uses a military term, which actually means using a garrison of troupes to guard something important.  Our hearts and minds will not stray from God’s will if we have the correct mind set.  This is accomplished by rejoicing even in bad times, esteeming others greater than our own interests, and making our requests to God with thanksgiving.

The second result of the correct mind set is to have the God of peace with you.  This can be accomplished by thinking on the good things that edify using Christ and the apostles as our examples.

The third result of the correct mind set is peace in all circumstances – good or bad.  The important thing is not the circumstance I find myself in now, but running the race to win.  This is possible because God is faithful and will perform His Word.

 

I. Having Peace With The Brethren

 

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved<27> and longed for, my joy and crown<4735>, so stand fast<4739> in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

A. God had used Paul to bring the Philippians To Christ

1. To Paul the Philippians were beloved – Agapetos

2. That is the same word the Father used of Christ in Matthew 3:17

B. The Philippians would be the reason for Paul’s crown - Stepanos

1. A Stephanos was given to athletes at a game

2. It was not a king’s crown – That would have been diadema

3. A Stephanos was a prize given to the winner at the Olympic games

4. Paul would receive his prize at the Judgment seat of Christ – I Corinthians 3:15

C. The Exhortation was to stand fast – Sreko -  in the Lord

1. Means to stand firmly upright – also used in Philippians 1:27 – with one mind

2. Don’t let the Judaizers or antinomians cause you to collapse

3. But persevere in the Lord’s will

D. Paul desired the leaders to help the two women to have the “same mind”


27 agaphtov agapetos ag-ap-ay-tos’ - from 25; TDNT-1:21,5; adj

beloved 47, dearly beloved 9, well beloved 3, dear 3; 62

1) beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love

1a) Of Jesus the Messiah {#Mt 3:17 12:18 17:5 Mr 1:11 9:7 Lu 3:22 9:35 2Pe 1:17 Mr 12:6 Lu 20:13}

1b) Of Christians as being reconciled to God and judged by him worthy of eternal life {#Ro 1:7 11:28 1Th 1:4 Col 3:12}

4735 stefanov stephanos - from a primary word stepho (to twine or wreathe);  n m

crown 18; 18

1) a crown

1a) a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank

1a1) the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games

1b) metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown ( wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness

1c) that which is an ornament and honour to one

4739 sthkw steko stay’-ko - from the perfect tense of 2476; TDNT-7:636,1082; v

stand fast 6, stand 2; 8

 

1) to stand firm; 2) to persevere, to persist; 3) to keep one’s standing

 

II. Having The Peace Of God

 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

A. 4 Steps To The Peace of God Guarding  – phroreo - your hearts and Minds

1. The 1st step to the Peace of God – rejoice

a. Not just sometimes, but

b. All the time

2. 2nd Step – Let your moderation (fair & Gentleness)– epieikes -  be known to all

3. 3rd Step – Don’t worry about anything – Trust in the Lord

4. 4th Step – Go to God with your requests – prayer with thanksgiving


B. 2 Steps To Have The God Of Peace With You

1. Think or Recon – logizomai (Our word “logistics”) - on these things

a. The true things

b. The honest things

c. The just things

d. The pure things

e. The lovely things

f. The good reports

g. The virtuous things

h. The things that praise God

2. Do these things

a. The things you have learned from Paul

b. The things you have received from Paul

c. The things you have heard from Paul

d. The things you have seen Paul do

 

1933 epieikhv epieikes ep-ee-i-kace’ - from 1909 and 1503; TDNT-2:588,243; adj

gentle 3, patient 1, moderation 1; 5

1) seeming, suitable

2) equitable, fair, mild, gentle

5432 frourew phroureo froo-reh’-o - from a compound of 4253 and 3708; ; v

keep 3, keep with a garrison 1; 4

1) to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight

2) metaph.

2a) under the control of the Mosaic law, that he might not escape from its power

2b) to protect by guarding, to keep

2c) by watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something

3049 logizomai logizomai log-id’-zom-ahee - from 3056; TDNT-4:284,536; v

think 9, impute 8, reckon 6, count 5, account 4, suppose 2, reason 1, number 1, misc 5; 41

1) to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over

1a) to take into account, to make an account of

1a1) metaph. to pass to one’s account, to impute

1a2) a thing is reckoned as or to be something, i.e. as availing for or equivalent to something, as having the like force and weight

1b) to number among, reckon with

1c) to reckon or account

2) to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate

3) by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer

3a) to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on

3b) to suppose, deem, judge

3c) to determine, purpose, decide

++++

This word deals with reality. If I "logizomai" or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions.


III. Having Peace In All Circumstances – Good or Bad

 

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Philippians 4:15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Philippians 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. {I have all: or, I have received all}

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

A. Paul has learned to have peace no matter what the present circumstance is

1. Remember when Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi? What did they do?

2. Paul is rejoicing even now – He is in prison in Rome

B. Paul is content and at peace when:

1. He has good times or bad times

2. He is rich or poor

3. He is full or hungry

C. Paul is at peace because Christ gives him strength

1. In good times or bad times

2. Whether he is rich or poor

3. Whether he is full or hungry

D. The Philippians were also an example of others-esteem

1. They were not consumed with their present state of affairs

2. They sent Epaphorus to Rome with a gift for Paul

3. They knew that the Lord was their supply, not present circumstances

 

IV. Conclusion

Philippians 4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

Philippians 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.