Philippians 4:1-9 - Likeminded and Thankful Meditations

Philippians 4:1-9

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 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 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.

Meditate on These Things

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.

This chapter opens with a passionate call to remain steadfast in the Lord with the confidence previously expressed as they pressed into the kingdom of heaven in Christ.  The apostle yearned to see them again because they gave him joy as they followed the Lord and were a crown of reward for his own faithful work in the gospel for their sakes and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He implored two women who were at odds with each other using the authority and love of Christ to reconcile them into the mind of Christ in true unity in the essentials of their common faith as it appears.  He also prayed that the one he wrote to would help these two co-laborers in the gospel along with his other fellow workers for the Lord.  He identified them all as being true followers of Christ as evidenced by the fact that God had written their names in the Book of Life as preordained and chosen to be His from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34, Ephesians 1:4).  To all these who were His Paul called them to rejoice in triumph (Romans 5:11, 2 Corinthians 2:14) for the calling and election of God to record their names for eternity (Revelation 21:27) in His ledger of eternal ownership.  And because they and we are called as His, we are to live with the gentleness of graciousness forbearance in spirit and truth for all to see and experience because we know the Lord is there to see all and is coming back soon to reward (1 Corinthians 3:14-15) our faithfulness.  We are also called along with these to be content and put aside worry about tomorrow as we take all concern to God in prayer with thankful hearts that care to pray for others and not just our own needs.  When we pray before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) in this manner, we find God’s peace wash over our troubled minds in a way that defies the logic of the pressing situations that we face. This supernatural peace covers our hearts and minds with the assurance of grace and goodwill to us as a guard set over us to keep us safe and secure from all alarms as the old hymn reminds us.  The summation of this passage in verses 8-9 helps us focus our thoughts on what is true and honorable, rightly just and pure, good to be heard as a testimony of grace, things which are morally good and commendable in the sight of God to His praise and glory by honoring Him in our thoughts and deeds.  We are to consider these things and mull them over continually to do what pleases God as we are taught by this His word and then the peace of God will flow over us and keep us through all trials and tribulations.  These are likeminded and thankful meditations which we can share as the body of Christ in our fellowship and witness to the world.