"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"
Chapter Four
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To notice Paul's tactfulness in dealing with Euodia and Syntyche
2) To glean Paul's secrets for joy, peace, contentment, and strength
3) To consider how Paul viewed the Philippians' generosity towards him
SUMMARY
This final chapter begins with a series of exhortations to unity, joy,
and peace. With great affection, Paul pleads with his beloved
Philippians to stand fast in the Lord (1). With great diplomacy and a
call for assistance from others, he implores Euodia and Syntyche to be
of one mind in the Lord (3-4). He then follows with a call for them
to rejoice always in the Lord, letting their gentleness be known to
all, and through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to allow the
peace of God remove any anxiety (5-7). His final exhortations include
a call to meditate on things of virtue and worthy of praise, and to
imitate his example in order to ensure that God will be with them
(8-9).
At last he comes to the matter which occasioned this letter, expressing
joy and gratitude for the gift they had sent to him by way of
Epaphroditus. As they had done before on several occasions, so now
they had provided for his necessities. He is thankful, even though he
was quite content, for he knows that this gift really abounds to their
account, serving as a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is well pleasing to
God (10-19).
His closing remarks include praise to God, and greetings from those
with him, especially members of Caesar's household. As was his custom,
he closes with a final prayer that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
be with them all (20-23).
OUTLINE
I. EXHORTATIONS TO UNITY, JOY, AND PEACE (1-9)
A. AN APPEAL TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE (1-3)
1. Prefaced with an exhortation to stand fast in the Lord (1)
2. A plea for Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the
Lord (2)
3. A request for assistance in helping these women (3)
B. EXHORTATIONS TO REJOICE AND TO BE AT PEACE (4-9)
1. Rejoice in the Lord always, letting your gentleness be known
to all (4-5)
2. Through prayer, allow the peace of God to guard your hearts
from anxiety (6-7)
3. Meditate upon things worthy of virtue and praise, and follow
Paul's example (8-9)
II. THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY (10-23)
A. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF JOY TO PAUL (10-14)
1. Paul rejoiced when they were able to care for him again (10)
2. Not that he really had need (11-13)
a. For he had learned contentment (11-12)
b. For he had the strength of Christ (13)
3. But they have done well to share in his distress (14)
B. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF BLESSING FOR THEMSELVES (15-19)
1. A brief history of their giving to Paul (15-16)
2. Their giving abounds to their own account, viewed as an
acceptable sacrifice to God (17-18)
3. God will supply all their needs according to His riches (19)
C. CONCLUDING REMARKS (20-23)
1. Praise to God (20)
2. Greetings from those with Paul, especially those of Caesar's
household (21-22)
3. Final benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (23)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Exhortations to unity, joy, and peace (1-9)
- Thanksgiving for their generosity (10-23)
2) How does Paul describe his brethren as he exhorts them to stand fast
in the Lord? (1)
- My beloved and longed-for brethren
- My joy and crown
3) What two women does Paul implore to be of the same mind in the Lord?
(2)
- Euodia and Syntyche
4) What is said about these two women? (3)
- They labored with Paul in the gospel
- Their names were in the Book of Life
5) In what are we to rejoice always? (4)
- In the Lord
6) Why are we to let our gentleness (or moderation) be known to all
men? (5)
- The Lord is at hand
7) What is the antidote for anxiety? (6)
- Letting our requests be made known to God with an attitude of
thanksgiving
8) What will the peace of God do in response to such thankful prayer?
(7)
- Guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
9) Upon what should one meditate? (8)
- 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
- Anything of virtue, anything that is praiseworthy
10) How can one ensure that the God of peace will be them? (9)
- Do the things learned, received, heard, and seen in Paul
11) What had served as a source of great joy for Paul? (10)
- The Philippians' care for him flourishing again
12) What had Paul learned? (11-12)
- To be content in whatever state he found himself
13) How was Paul able to do all things? (13)
- Through Christ who strengthens him
14) When had the church at Philippi helped Paul before? (15-16)
- When he departed from Macedonia
- On at least two occasions when he was at Thessalonica
15) Why was Paul really pleased with their gift? (17)
- He knew that it added to their account
16) How did Paul view the gift they had sent by way of Epaphroditus?
(18)
- A sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to
God
17) Who would provide help for the Philippians? (19)
- God, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus
18) Who in particular sent greetings to the Philippians by way of Paul?
(22)
- Those of Caesar's household
19) What was Paul's final prayer for his beloved Philippians? (23)
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
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