Phil. 4:2-9, Peace

We believe this whole passage (4:2-9) is one context and not a list of unconnected commands.  The theme of the passage is “peace”.  Peace in the church (v2-4), toward all people (v5), in individual hearts (v6-7) peace with the God of peace (v8-9).  We should understand how important peace is in Scripture.  All but one of Paul’s epistles addresses peace in the body of Christ.  We are called to peace (Col. 3:15).  This is a serious subject. 

·        4:2: Peace in the body of Christ requires we be of the same mind.  This has been the emphasis throughout this letter of Paul.  The reason for the emphasis is that we are prone to selfish ambition and conceit (Phil. 3:3).  So Paul encourages two women in the church to lay aside the one and take up the other.  He addresses both of them both: I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche; the responsibility is with both, not just one.  Implore is the “come alongside” term.  Paul is encouraging them.  The double use expresses urgency.  As Jesus said, when we realize there is a problem with another believer we need to immediately drop what we are doing and seek to reconcile the situation (Matt. 5:23-24).

·        4:3: Peace in the body of Christ requires us to help each other.  In this case Paul calls on someone who was likely one of the shepherds of the church.  It is good for us to remember that our regular meetings are intended to give us opportunity to encourage each other in the upward call of Christ-likeness.  We are to spur each other on to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25).  We must not allow a spirit of envy or jealousy to put a wall around ourselves in Christ’s body.  Help each other!

·        4:4: Peace in the body of Christ requires rejoicing in the Lord.  Joy in the Lord should be common among us.  We have a perfectly capable Savior.  Like Adam and Eve who had every need met in the Garden of Eden, so we have every spiritual blessing in Christ.  If we are rejoicing in who Christ is and what He has done for us there will be no room for the petty differences that so often divide us.  We shame Him before the world by these things.  God help us!

·        4:5: Peace in all relationships require an attitude of gentleness with all people.  This is an important term for us to consider here.  Various commentators and translators speak of reasonableness, gentleness, yielding, big-heartedness and moderation.  The term is used in contrast to brawling (Titus 3:2) and harshness (1 Peter 2:18).  It is particularly important for leadership (1 Tim. 3:3) although it us placed upon all believers in this passage.  Note that having this attitude is tied to the fact that the Lord is near.  Some think this refers to the nearness of His coming (drawing upon Phil. 3:20-21); we want to be found in obedience to the Master when He returns.  I think it is more the idea that He is near to help (drawing upon Phil. 2:12-13, the Lord is always at work).  Either thought should help take off the combative edge and enable us to have a sweet reasonableness with those around us.