Exploring Joy and Contentment in Philippians
Paul's final chapter in Philippians emphasizes unity, joy, peace, and contentment. He encourages believers to rejoice, be generous, and find Christ-centered joy in all aspects of life. The letter culminates with a message of gratitude, grace, and a call to experience authentic joy through contentment.
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Living Beyond Our Needs Living Beyond Our Needs 4:10 4:10 23 23 Week 40 Week 40 11 January 2023 11 January 2023
PHILIPPIANS OVERVIEW CHAPTER FOUR This fourth and 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 to remove any anxiety (5-7). His final exhortation includes 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).
PHILIPPIANS OVERVIEW CHAPTER FOUR 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. Paul 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, Paul closes with a final prayer that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with them all (20-23).
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 23 Remember the purpose of Philippians? To encourage believers to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in living, serving, sharing, and resting. The theme is summed up with a word Paul repeats throughout the letter: rejoice! We can have a contagious, deep-seated joy when we have confidence that Christ is in full control not just of the big things, but of the little things as well. As we have discovered in the first part of Philippians 4, such joy can be applied to strained relationships as well as to difficult circumstances, leaving us worry free. As we fix our minds on things that are positive, uplifting, virtuous, and excellent, we become transformed individuals, enveloped in God s wonderful peace. What a way to live!
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 23 As Paul begins to wrap up this great letter to the Philippians, he explores another realm that could use a healthy dose of authentic joy: contentment. In 4:10-13, Paul again presents himself as a model for his readers to follow. Then, in 4:14-19, we see the fruit of contentment: generosity. Finally, in 4:20-23, Paul concludes his letter with a joyful, grace-filled farewell.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 Ten years had passed since Paul founded the church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-40). He had made a subsequent return visit en route home from his travels (Acts 20:6), but that was the only time he had seen the Philippians in that decade long period. However, when word reached the Philippians that Paul had been imprisoned in Rome as he faced the uncertainty of a trial before Caesar s court, they hastened to send Epaphroditus with a financial gift to help him with his expenses (4:18). This act of unexpected and unrequested benevolence caused Paul to rejoice in the Lord greatly (4:10). That monetary gift was more than just a means to pay the bills. It was a tangible expression of the church s self-sacrificial love.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 It was a token of their concern for him and of their willingness to continue to partner with him in the ministry. Paul also recognized that even before this specific chance to send a financial gift, they had been concerned about his welfare but had lacked opportunity to put that concern into action (4:10). Lest they think he was putting a guilt trip on them or fishing for even more cash, Paul assured them that he had learned to be content in any circumstance (4:11). The Greek word Paul used for content is rendered self-sufficient. Some took this to mean not only being independent of circumstance but also finding the source of contentment in ourselves.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 However, this secular sense was the farthest thing from Paul s mind. Paul wasn t promoting self-sufficiency but Christ-sufficiency. He rested in Christ s provision and timing, not his own ability to exert energy and improve his circumstance and outlook. It is fascinating that Paul wrote these words while he was under house arrest for an indefinite period of time. He was likely chained to a Roman soldier, paying for his own rented house and enduring a total lack of privacy and freedom. However, he had learned contentment through the years, enduring such extreme circumstances that his present condition under house arrest was much easier to face.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 Paul describes some of the conditions he had faced over the years the roller-coaster-like ups and downs. He had learned contentment by experiencing various often intense-circumstances (4:12). Through it all Paul learned how to get along in whatever circumstances life gave him. He didn t lose faith when he slept on hard ground with an empty stomach. And when he was hosted in a comfortable home, receiving hot meals every day and a warm bed each night, he didn t forget that God alone is the source of all things. He learned how to handle both extremes, and everything in between. This led to his ability to face whatever challenges awaited him with both flexibility and confidence.
PHILIPPIANS 4:10 13 Paul summarizes this approach to life with one of the most quoted, but also most misinterpreted, verses in the Bible: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (4:13). This doesn t mean that Paul could accomplish all his personal goals, fulfill all his dreams, or acquire fame and fortune. The all things refers to surviving the extremes of life. To paraphrase: Whatever ups and downs life send my way, I can handle whatever comes, not through my own strength, but by the power of Christ. Nothing else suffices but Christ. He alone gives the strength we need to endure. Not education, not money, not political clout, not positive thinking, not self-assertiveness.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 14Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 Since we can do all things this is, be content in all circumstance through Christ, does this mean that we don t need anybody else? Do we stop making our needs known, cease asking for help from others, and just pray for God to provide for our needs? Paul goes on in 4:14-19 to show how God provides for us through others who fulfill our needs. While all things come from God the Father, through Christ, by the power of the Spirit, the triune God delights in using believers to accomplish His purpose. Paul begins this section by commending the Philippians because they had shared in his affliction (4:14). How? By never forgetting about Paul, even at the low points. After he left Philippi, they willingly and generously contributed to his ministry needs as he travelled his missionary journeys.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 In fact, Paul recalled a time when no other church from Macedonia had contributed financially to the cause (4:15). The Philippians demonstrated in tangible ways their commitment to him and to the preaching of the gospel not just with a one-time farewell gift, but several gifts over the up-and-down course of his ministry (4:16). Why does Paul point out that even in Thessalonica they had sent a gift on several occasions? What s so significant about that? It emphasizes the fact that the Philippians had begun donating to the cause immediately and continued to donate repeatedly. Their partnership with Paul was both earlyandenduring. Their generosity overflowed.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 Note also that Paul was genuinely concerned about how the Philippians commitment to giving would be a blessing to them, not just to himself (4:17). Yes, he needed the gifts to continue in order to carry out the ministry, but there was something more important involved in the Philippians commitment. Paul was encouraged by the maturity developed among the Philippians as they gave freely to support the cause. Their self-sacrificial giving was a clear example of Christlike love shown toward Paul and toward those among whom Paul was ministering. Through their compassion and sacrificial generosity, Paul had all he needed-and then some! Not only was his account full, but he had an abundance (4:18). Paul was given an ample offering of funds from Epaphroditus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 These he received as an act of worship and devotion from the Philippians. In fact, he uses language often employed with respect to temple sacrifices to draw attention to the holy nature of their gifts: a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God (4:18). Because of their worshipful, sacrificial, Christlike contribution to the ministry, Paul was confident that the Lord would continue to bless them financially: My God will supply your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (4:19). Like 4:13, this verse is often misquoted and misapplied by Christians. Some people imagine a massive treasure house in heaven, full of health, wealth, and happiness, just waiting for believers to unlock it with faith and thus receive riches to their heart s content.
PHILIPPIANS 4:14 19 There are certain health-and-wealth preachers who like to claim that sending them your cash will open the floodgates of heaven, allowing you to experience the good life. But that s a very different scenario from what Paul was envisioning. Rather, the idea seems to be that as we serve as faithful conduits of generosity toward those who, like Paul, have genuine needs, God will continue to supply what we need so we can continue to bless others! And as may have rightly observed, Philippians 4:19 says that God will provide for all our needs, not all our greeds.
PHILIPPIANS 4:20 23 20Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar s household. 23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
PHILIPPIANS 4:20 23 Paul began this letter with a prayer (1:3-5; 9-11); now he brings it to a close with a doxology: Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen (4:20). In the gospel ministry, Paul had his role to play as apostle to the Gentiles, and the Philippians contributed through their prayers and financial support. Co-laborers like Timothy and Epaphroditus served with diligence and determination. But none of these could take ultimate credit or praise for the distinct parts they played in the mission of God. God alone who supplies all things deserve all the praise and all the glory.
PHILIPPIANS 4:20 23 Paul concludes with a standard blessing (4:23); but before doing so, he exchanges a couple of greetings. Paul begins by offering his own personal greeting to the saints in Philippi (see 4:21). Without mentioning each by name, he encourages every believer, reminding them of their status as being set apart (the root meaning of saint) for the service and worship of God. After his personal greeting, Paul extends a farewell from the brethren (4:21), probably referring to his co-laborers, including Timothy, Epaphroditus, and others. Beyond this circle are all the saints, including believers from Caesar s household staff (4:22).
PHILIPPIANS 4:20 23 This likely would have included many of the names referred to in Romans 16, like Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7), Aristobulus (Rom. 16:10), Narcissus (Rom. 16:11), and many others. By referring to these believers as saints, Paul thus reminded the Philippians that they, too, were part of something much bigger than themselves. Though separated by space, one day they would be gathered into the same kingdom under the same Lord for all eternity. What an occasion for Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy!
APPLICATIONS FROM THE LESSON Looking within, Looking around, Looking up
PHILIPPIANS APPLICATION Both Paul and the Philippians exhibited a high level of spiritual maturity in their Christlike character, as expressed through contentment and generosity. How do we follow their example? How can we develop the marks of maturity evidenced by Paul and the Philippians? Swindoll suggests three places to look in your life that will enable you to grow up in your joyful resting in the Lord. FIRST look within . . . and release. Is there something in your heart that s stunting your growth? Something that s holding you down and keeping you from experiencing true contentment and joyful generosity? Perhaps it s a need for comfort rather than contentment or a desire for luxury rather than generosity.
PHILIPPIANS APPLICATION Maybe it s an unquestioned sense of entitlement instead of self-sacrificial benevolence. Do a little internal diagnostic test right now. Ask yourself, What s keeping me from experiencing the kind of contentment Paul describes in Philippians 4? Or, What s keeping me from giving more time and money to the cause of Christ than I do now? Look within and release those things! SECOND look around . . . and respond. Sometimes we don t give our time, energy, or financial resources because we re too busy to see the needs. The Philippians saw Paul s needs from many miles away and responded immediately, continually, and faithfully. They sent not only money but also personal help Epaphroditus. They didn t wait for another church to act first.
PHILIPPIANS APPLICATION They saw the need and met it. Why don t you try it? There s no need to start with something extreme like a long-term commitment to a jungle tribe in South America. But you could find a missionary who s working there and start supporting him or her financially. Or you could find a place to serve at your church. Or you could sign up and assist the Annie B. Rose Missionary Ministry in accomplishing their many annual outreach efforts. Or you could reach out to help a family in the neighborhood that is struggling, perhaps one with a single parent. Many different kinds of people need you help and would welcome it. Look around and respond!
PHILIPPIANS APPLICATION THIRD look up . . . and rejoice. Never forget to take time to look up and survey all that God has done in the past, is doing in the present, and promises to do in the future. Don t forget to praise Him and thank Him for what He has done specifically in your own life. Rejoice in the many good things He has given to you and done for you, remembering that every good gift comes from Him (James 1:17). As Paul did with the Philippians, rejoice over the good things God accomplishes daily in the lives of others, and thank Him. God loves to hear our words of gratitude and our expression of praise. Look up and rejoice!
NEXT CLASS 18 January 2023 Before next class, read the below verses in the Before next class, read the below verses in the NKJV and in one other versions of the Bible, NKJV and in one other versions of the Bible, i.e., NIV, NRSV, KJV, CEV, etc i.e., NIV, NRSV, KJV, CEV, etc Chapter 1:1 14 Praying for Knowledge of the Truth
