The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 4: Verses 1-3)

Hello Friends!

During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 4: Verses 1-3)

¹ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. ² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 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 – Philippians 4:1-3

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: This is the personal program for practical POWER promoted in the “Christian” life that is lavishly LIVED out unto our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” magnificently magnified much “more abundantly” attained…

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly – John 10:10

Chapter 4: The POWER for Christian living

Presented here in these practical passages, the aged “Apostle Paul” now purposely PROVIDES for each of “us” this fantastic formula for this legitimate “life” considered, long BEFORE anyone should so whimsically quote the valor of verse 13 in its FULL contained context captured concerning – Absolutely ALL Things!

STAND Fast!

These particular “Philippian” believing “brethren” were deemed as the “dearly beloved” and lovingly “longed for” focus of the ardent “Apostle Paul” and they boldly BECAME his very own justified “joy” and capable “crown” aptly attained:

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved – Philippians 4:1

“For” as was also true for the “Thessalonians” themselves, it is in THIS looming “life” that indeed “they” too were his contending “crown” of righteous REWARD received as well as for the NEXT personally promised high “hope” heralded to come…

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God – 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The Greek verb used here for “stand” is the word “Stkete” and is an imperative command of which is a MILITARY term meaning to “stand” your given ground. Therefore, “Paul” emphatically COMMANDS each of “us” to purposefully prepare for promised – Biblical BATTLE!

”Therefore” as also was true for the “Ephesian” epicenter, the practical “Paul” confidently cries aloud this clarion CALL upon his closing comments unto them ALL to so soundly “stand fast in the Lord“ according to the “Word of God” wielded…

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God – Ephesians 6:10-17

This is a comforting COMMAND coming directly from “our” great “God” in heaven given THROUGH the heralding “Holy Spirit” by the means of the “Apostle Paul” pronounced – STAND Fast!

SAME Mind!

Evidently, there were TWO guarded gals piously positioned within the “Philippian” fellowship named “Euodias” and “Syntyche” of whom had NOT been fully formed of the “same mind in the Lord” causing maddening misunderstanding of which thus rudely RUPTURED the very close companionship of these “brethren” bemoaned:

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

HISTORICAL HINTS: These waning “women” desperately needed to mindfully MANIFEST the magnificent “mind of Christ” to which “Paul” himself had ALREADY augmented unto “them” as such…

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus  – Philippians 2:3-5

It is true that the “Philippians” had a very special love bond with “Paul” himself, there is NO question about it as “we” shall see later here in the nigh narrative of chapter 4 that had been caringly cultivated throughout the years. And although he himself had a passionate longing to fully “fellowship” with them, it does NOT mean that these beloved “brethren” were in ALL respects everything it overtly OUGHT to be in full…

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. 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 – Philippians 4:8-9

There is a serious sense in which the ardent “Apostle Paul” is rightly REMINDING each of “us” of the HIGH stakes concerning this “Christian” cause in which “we” are involved. The violently HOSTILE intent of the evil “enemies of Christ” leads them ALL to be willing to find ANY applied advantage by which they can DISCREDIT the chosen “church” as such. Thus, dire discord and intense infighting within “our” righteous ranks is ONE overt example they use quite FREQUENTLY in their frenzied attack against “God’s” great glory. And this could be DEVASTATING to the true testimony of the “Philippians” themselves. WHY? Because they were a comforted “crown” kept behind SPIRITUALLY gleaming glass and absolutely EVERYONE was woefully watching them from within this pragmatic PAGAN culture at large. Therefore, a caustic conflict at this PRACTICAL level of the “church” could have coarsely CRUSHED the innate integrity of their telling “testimony of Jesus Christ” and apparently “Paul” proclaims that “they” were indeed seriously – ON the Edge!

Arriving at this FINAL chapter, there are very CLEAR hints that sordid selfishness and sinful self-interest was indeed PRESENT among these “brethren” of whom had STUMBLED from their spiritual STABILITY into cantankerous conceit and pragmatic pride being much MORE concerned about the trite “things” of their “own life” rather than the thoughtful “things of others” considered. Therefore, “they” definitely did NOT have a sound Sovereignly set sure – SAME Mind!

FAITHFUL Fellow Laborers!

“And” now this personal pronouncement provided by “Paul” to intently “intreat” unto an UNNAMED trusted “true yokefellow” (proper name “Syzygus” in the Greek) to heartily “help” him. And herein rightly REVEALS the particular prominence of certain “women which laboured” along with another UNKNOWN brother named “Clement” to which their nigh “names are in the book of life” serving in lay LEADERSHIP laid lovingly within the eager EARLY appropriated Apostolic “fellowship” fostering the courageously caring “church” company:

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 – Philippians 4:3

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: As “we” diligently discover throughout the Sovereign “Scriptures” considered, they NEVER ever direly discount the fine female intellect nor do they DOWNPLAY the terrific talents and apt abilities or the PROPER use of the “women's” splendid spiritual gifts granted her by our great “God” Himself! Rather, Holy Writ itself expressly addresses the true “HALMARKS“ of an excellent “woman” by surely stressing her feminine VITURE ventured. In fact, the most SIGNIFICANT sisters signified in the “Scriptures” were influential NOT because of their CAREERS but because of their CHARACTER considered…

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates – Proverbs 31:30-31

Therefore, the meaningful message these godly “women” collectively give is NOT at all about "gender equality" but rather is ALWAYS reflective of true feminine EXCELLENCE externally exemplified in their MORAL and SPIRITUAL qualities rather than by their – Social Standing, Wealth OR Physical Appearance!

Unlike any other rank RELGIOUS system devised by maniacal men, true Biblical “Christianity” correctly ELEVATES the status of “women” to an unprecedented height. And the faithful “followers” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” fully included several willing “women” of which was a practice UNHEARD of among the resident “rabbis” of His day! And “He” outwardly ENCOURAGED their distinct discipleship and legitimate learning by practically portraying it as something MORE than simply “domestic” service aptly alone implied…

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did… Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them – Acts 9:36 & 39

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us – Acts 16:13-15

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers… And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly – Acts 18:1-3 & 24-26

In fact, the very FIRST recorded and explicit disclosure of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ's” personally incited IDENTITY as the true “Messiah” mandated was actually rightly REVEALED unto a snide “Samaritan” wonton “woman” at a quite well-known watering “well” wright:

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he – John 4:21-26

Our luminous “Lord” Himself had absolutely ALWAYS treated “women” with the utmost due dignity and righteous respect resonated, even “those” of whom would otherwise be rigorously REGARDED as outright outcasts organized. He benevolently BLESSED their “children” complete, RAISED their “dead” delivered, FORGAVE their “sins” solely and RESTORED their “honor” held! Thus, “Jesus Christ” excellently EXALTS womanhood – FAITHFUL Followers!

In closing:

Sadly, the “Apostle Paul” is often falsely caricatured by the crass CRITICS of the Sovereign “Scriptures” touted TODAY that he is nothing less than a male-chauvinist maligned. However, as “we” surely see HERE in these poignant passages, “Paul” had regularly ministered ALONGSIDE many wonderful “women” within the “Philippian” fellowship fold. In fact, he often recognized and applauded their full – Faithfulness & Giftedness!

Beloved, it comes as NO surprise therefore that “women” became prominent in the “ministry” of the EARLY first-century “church” composite. And ON the Divinely dedicated day of “Pentecost” when the New Testament birthing of the “church” had occurred, wonderfully willing “women” with “Mary the mother of Jesus” were practically present there in “one accord” along WITH the chief “disciples” in deep personal pious “prayer” for the “saints” solidified…

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren – Acts 1:14

In fact, the “Apostle John” as an elect “elder” had wholly “written” in his “second epistle” of which was aptly addressed TO a prominent “woman” and her “children” within one of the “churches” under his spiritual oversight obtained…

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another – 2 John 1:1-5

Some of these wonderful “women” were rightly RECOGNIZED for their granted “good deeds” and yet others for their helpful “hospitality” and still others for their unwavering “understanding” of sure-footed “sound doctrine” subscribed along WITH their supplied “spiritual gifts” granted – Given BY God!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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