Title: Philippians 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always”
Contents
Philippians 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always”
The Apostle Paul once again expressed his "love, longing, and joy" for the members of the Philippian church (1), and wrote and sent "exhortations, confessions, and praises" to them. "Same heart! Joy! Participation!"
1 “Be of the same mind in the Lord” (1-3)
The basic attitude that the church and members of the church should have is to have one heart and one mind. The Jerusalem church members were "of the same heart" (Acts 1:14, 2:46, 4:26). Although the Philippian church's 'Kwonsa Euodia' and Syntyche's 'master' worked hard together with the apostle Paul for the gospel, and although their names were written in the book of life, they did not have the same heart. Failure to do so was always on Paul's heart. It could be because of a difference in personality, it could be because of a difference in temperament, or it could be because of honor. The Apostle Paul exhorted them to “be of one mind” in 2:2,3, but here again he earnestly exhorted them to “be of the same mind”. And he entrusted the office of reconciliation to anyone (“you”) who was yoke with Paul.
2 “Rejoice in the Lord always” (4-13)
The most striking inner characteristic of the church and its members is joy. The members of the Jerusalem church “eat with joy and with an honest heart” (Acts 2:46). The theme of the book of Philippians is also joy. The word joy appears 17 times. He did not tell us to rejoice because of our circumstances, but to rejoice because we are in the Lord. He exhorted them to rejoice in showing generosity (kindness) to all people and to rejoice in everything by praying to God through prayer and supplication (5, 6). Then the peace of God will be full (7).
Paul himself confessed that although he was in prison, he rejoiced greatly because he was in the Lord (10). And he confessed that he rejoiced because of the love and kindness of the saints. After all, the apostle Paul, who was in the Lord and in the love of the saints, rejoiced and learned the secret of self-sufficiency. I learned all the secrets of being in poverty and abundance, and knowing how to be satisfied and hungry. No, I learned the secret of victory and the conviction that I can do everything in the Lord. Joy makes everything possible.
3 "You did well, because you were partakers of my afflictions" (14-23)
One of the characteristics of the church and the life of the saints is participation. In English, they are participate, share, and partnership. One of the characteristics of the Jerusalem church members was the participation in meeting each other every day and sharing with each other. Christianity is not a religion that lives alone and alone. Another theme of Philippians is participation. The characteristic of the life of the Philippian church and the saints was a life of participation. He participated in Paul's bondage and excuses for the gospel (1:7). They shared in Paul's suffering (4:14). Epaphroditus was sent to Roman prison in order to share in Paul's bondage and suffering (2:30, 4:18). At the beginning of the gospel, the Philippian church participated in Paul's missionary work when he left Macedonia, and also participated in Paul's work once or twice while in Thessalonica.
The Philippian church and the saints' participation in Paul's ministry did not stop at helping the human Paul, but became a fragrant sacrifice offered to God and pleasing to God (4:18). Paul's praise and God's praise. And it made the fruit plentiful for their benefit (4:17), and they received God's blessing so that their needs were abundantly filled (4:19).