PHILIPPIANS 4 COMMENTARY

Philippians 4 Commentary
Written and edited by Glenn Pease
PREFACE
The following commentary consists of my own thoughts combined with the thoughts of the many
authors both ancient and modern who have made comments on this most important letter of Paul. I
have quoted so many others because I have found in each a unique way to convey the ideas that Paul
is seeking to communicate. Sometimes I have not been able to give credit, and if anyone discovers the
name of the author quoted and lets me know, I will gladly give credit where credit is due. If anyone
does not want their quotes expressed in this commentary, they can let me know as well, and I will
delete them. My e-mail is glenn_p86@yahoo.com The purpose of this commentary is to bring the
thoughts of many authors together in one place in order to save the Bible student a lot of time in
research. All of the comments are available to anyone, but it takes an enormous amount of time to
read all of the resources. I have brought together what I feel are the best thoughts on the text in this
one place to save others the time. It is my pleasure to do so, and I use these studies myself to teach a
class of about 20 people. The numbering system uses letters as well as numbers because it gives me the
freedom to add new material I discover without doing the numbers all over. I welcome any comments,
and I will add them to this commentary if they contribute new and valued insight.
1. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my
joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the
Lord, dear friends!
Amplified: THEREFORE, MY brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown
(wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
NLT: Dear brothers and sisters, I love you and long to see you, for you are my joy and the reward for
my work. So please stay true to the Lord, my dear friends.
Phillips: So, my brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, do stand firmly in the
Lord, and remember how much I love you.
Wuest: Therefore, my brethren, individually loved ones, and individually and passionately longed for,
my joy and my victor’s festal garland, thus be standing firm in the Lord, beloved ones.
1. If you read the other letters of Paul to churches after you read this letter, you will be impressed by

how personal, loving and affectionate Paul is to this church in comparison. This is truly a love letter,
for he had deeper feelings for this group of people than for any other group. It is a mutual affection,
for no other church gave Paul the kind of loving support as did these Philippians. This letter is loving
all through, but here we reach the pinnacle with these words, "you whom I love and long for, my joy
and crown." If you take such words out of the context you would assume the letter is a love letter to
his wife, or a letter of a son to his mother. These are Paul's most affectionate words. In one verse he
calls them brothers, his loved ones, his joy, his crown, and his dear friends. Someone is bound to
respond, "Why don't you tell us how you really feel Paul?"
2. These are the very people that Paul once called Gentile dogs, and now they are his most loved
friends and brothers. Loving Jesus changes many things, and relationships are one of the main
changes. Barclay wrote, “Through this passage breathes the warmth of Paul's affection for his
Philippian friends. He loves them and yearns for them. They are his joy and his crown. Those whom
he had brought to Christ are his greatest joy when the shadows are closing about him. Any teacher
knows what a thrill it is to point at some person who has done well and to be able to say: "That was
one of my boys."
3. Greg Herrick wrote, “Paul loved these people. Indeed the command is almost lost sight of in the
midst of the many terms of affection, terms, which go back to earlier comments in the epistle, e.g., 1:8.
There he says: “God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” First,
Paul refers to them as brothers and sisters (adelphoi). This is the seventh time in this letter—a letter
in which the term appears a total of nine times. It not only connotes intimacy, but expresses the family
relationship Paul has with these people in Christ. He refers to them twice as beloved (agapetoi) which
reflects his tremendous commitment to them as people and to their growth in the Lord (1:25). It is in
this context of commitment and love that he urges them to stand firm in the Lord.”
my joy and crown,
1. Barclay wrote, “There are vivid pictures behind the word when Paul says that the Philippians are
his crown. There are two words for crown in Greek, and they have different backgrounds. There is
diadema, which means the royal crown, the crown of kingship. And there is stephanos, the word used
here, which itself has two backgrounds. (i) It was the crown of the victorious athlete at the Greek
games. It was made of wild olive leaves, interwoven with green parsley, and bay leaves. To win that
crown was the peak of the athlete's ambition. (ii) It was the crown with which guests were crowned
when they sat at a banquet, at some time of great joy. It is as if Paul said that the Philippians were the
crown of all his toil; it is as if he said that at the final banquet of God they were his festal crown.
There is no joy in the world like bringing another soul to Jesus Christ.”
2. Gill, “..they were his "crown", as they were seals of his ministry; and whom he valued more, and
reckoned a greater honor and ornament to him, than the richest diadem, set with the most costly
jewels and precious stones, and which he hoped and believed would be his crown of rejoicing another
day; when he, with them, should stand at the hand of Christ triumphing, as victors crowned, over sin,
Satan, the world, death, and hell” Preceptaustin adds, “What Paul was saying is that on that day
when he stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ, the genuineness of the Philippian saints lives and

testimony would be a cause for Paul to exult for it would bring forth the approval of His Lord
regarding the race that he had run. And so he "wore" the Philippians as if they were his "joy and
crown", testifying to the authenticity of His ministry and the efficacy of the gospel.”
3. GUZIK wrote,”Paul uses the word for crown which denotes the crown given to an athlete who has
won the race, a crown of achievement (a stephanos); not the crown that is given to a king (a diadema)
- the Philippians, as they stand fast in the Lord, are Paul's "trophy" Another wrote, “There are vivid
pictures behind the word when Paul says that the Philippians are his crown. There are two words for
crown in Greek, and they have different backgrounds. There is diadema, which means the royal
crown, the crown of kingship. And there is stephanos, the word used here, which itself has two
backgrounds. (i) It was the crown of the victorious athlete at the Greek games. It was made of wild
olive leaves, interwoven with green parsley, and bay leaves. To win that crown was the peak of the
athlete's ambition. (ii) It was the crown with which guests were crowned when they sat at a banquet,
at some time of great joy. It is as if Paul said that the Philippians were the crown of all his toil; it is as
if he said that at the final banquet of God they were his festal crown. There is no joy in the world like
bringing another soul to Jesus Christ.”
4. He said the same thing to the Thessalonians when he wrote 1 Thessalonians in 2:19, he says, "Who
is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you?" Then in verse 20, "For you are our glory
and joy." Paul really loved his people, and he had great joy in them. They were like his own children,
and any parent can understand how Paul feels, for they feel the same about their children. There is so
much joy in seeing your children grow and become mature, and demonstrate good character.
5. John MacArthur wrote, “Then he says, "You're my crown." That is a wonderful statement. Not
diadema, diadem, not a kingly crown, stephanos a laurel wreath. Basically in that culture two people
received a laurel wreath. One was the athlete who won an event and they gave him a laurel wreath to
wear. That was the corruptible crown Paul said the runner gets in 1 Corinthians 9. But there was
another person who got a laurel wreath and that would be a man who was honored by his peers. A
great feast or banquet would be held and this man would be brought as the guest of honor and as the
guest of honor he would receive a laurel wreath. And what does Paul mean when he says to the
Philippians and to the Thessalonians, "You are my crown"? He means you are my reward. The
wreath was a trophy. The trophy in a sense said this man has lived a fruitful life. The trophy in a
track meet says this man has run a great race. Paul says you're my trophy. You're the proof of my
effective service. You're my crown. You're the reward that says this has been an effective life.”
6. Barnes wrote, “Anything that is an ornament or honor, as one glories in a crown; compare
Pro_12:4, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband;” Pro_14:24, “The crown of the wise is their
riches;” Pro_16:31, “The hoary head is a crown of glory;” Pro_17:6, “Children’s children are the
crown of old men.”The idea here is, that the church at Philippi was that in which the apostle gloried.
He regarded it as a high honor to have been the means of founding such a church, and he looked upon
it with the same interest with which a monarch looks upon the diadem which he wears.”
7. Christians are constantly saying that joy does not depend on circumstances, but the Bible is loaded
with verses that say it does depend on the circumstances that bring about changes from what is not
good to what is good and favorable. Jesus made this clear when he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you,

that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will
be turned to joy. 21 "Whenever a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but
when she gives birth to the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a child has been
born into the world. 22 "Therefore you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart
will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.” (John 16:20-22) A change from sorrow to joy
demands a change in circumstances, and that is what Jesus is promising here. Change is good when it
is a change that brings about joy.
that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
1. Barclay wrote, “Three times in Php. 4:1-4 the words in the Lord occur. The Philippians are to
stand fast in the Lord. Only with Jesus Christ can a man resist the seductions of temptation and the
weakness of cowardice. The word Paul uses for stand fast (stekete,) is the word which would be used
for a soldier standing fast in the shock of battle, with the enemy surging down upon him. We know
very well that there are some people in whose company it is easy to do the wrong thing and there are
some in whose company it is easy to resist the wrong thing. Sometimes when we look back and
remember some time when we took the wrong turning or fell to temptation or shamed ourselves, we
say wistfully, thinking of someone whom we love: "If only he had been there, it would never have
happened." Our only safety against temptation is to be in the Lord, always feeling his presence
around us and about us. The Church and the individual Christian can stand fast only when they
stand in Christ.”
2. Gill, “so stand fast in the Lord; or "by the Lord"; by his power and strength, which is only able to
make to stand fast; saints are liable to failing, and would fall, were they not upheld with his right
hand, and kept by his power; they only stand fast, as they stand supported by his strength, trusting in
his might, and leaning on his arm. Christ is the only foundation where they can stand safe and sure;
and such as are rooted and grounded, and built up in him, are established and stand; though they are
still in need of being exhorted to hold the head, abide by him, and cleave unto him; to stand fast in his
grace, exercising the graces of faith, hope, and love upon him; in the liberty of Christ, in opposition to
the bondage of the law, false teachers were for bringing them into; and in the doctrine of faith, and
not depart from it in any degree, nor give way in the least to the opposers of it, but continue steadfast
in it without wavering, and which is chiefly intended here: so the Arabic version renders it, "so stand
in the faith of the Lord"; both in the grace faith, and in the doctrine of it, and in the profession of
both: see (1 Corinthians 16:13) . The apostle bids them so stand fast; that is, either as they had
hitherto done, or as they had him and others for an example; whose views, conversation, and
behavior, are described in the foregoing chapter”
3. Greg Herrick wrote, “To stand firm in the Lord means to hold on to the truth on one hand—as a
unified church, and to resist the onslaught of attacks on the other (Phil 1:27). The Philippians were to
stand firm and not be taken in by the Judaizers (3:3-16) or those who were apparently of a more
antinomian (“lawless) perspective (3:17-21). They were to do so in this way, meaning in the way that
Paul had shown them by his own example (in 3:3-14, and indeed in the whole letter). Paul understood

the error of their reasoning and the sufficiency of the cross. He knew that a personal relationship with
Christ relies not on legalism, but on faith and personal trust. The Philippians were not to move away
from this mark.”
4. Standing was an important concept with Paul, for there was much opposition in the world, and
only those who had stability could make it. If you were unstable and weak you would be a pushover
by the opponents of your faith. It took believers who were so steadfast in their faith that they could
face the storm head on and remain on their feet in spite of the enormous pressure to blow them over.
Look at just a few of the text where Paul’s stress is on standing. Seeing this list should make us realize
just how important it is to be stable in our convictions, for it is obvious that there are constant
pressures coming from our culture to make us waver and become unstable in our convictions and
conduct.
1 Corinthians 15:1 [ The Resurrection of Christ ] Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I
preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is
by faith you stand firm.
Galatians 5:1 [ Freedom in Christ ] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and
do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's
schemes.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place,
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand
firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is
always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully
assured.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings [ Or traditions] we
passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
5. The implication of all these texts is that it is possible for the believer to fall away from his faith and
convictions. It is possible to become so unstable that the forces of the opposition can push you back

and knock you down, and then drag you into positions and beliefs that are a rejection of what you
have been taught. This is the very thing that happens to masses of believers who go off to college and
get swept up into doubt and unbelief, or they get involved with the cults and forsake their Biblical
training because they were not steadfast in pursuing it. Falling is the inevitable outcome of not
standing fast, and many do not take it seriously, and so they do fall when the pressure gets great. The
only way to escape from falling is to have a solid foundation on which to stand, and Jesus is our solid
rock.
6. Scripture makes it clear that an unstable spiritual life will lead to a fall away from the grace and
will of God. Every believer needs to take seriously the danger of falling into sin, folly, and all kinds of
error in thinking. It is not a mystery that all of us face this potential, for it is as clear as the noon day
sun if we read the warning signs that God has posted everywhere in his Word. Here are some
examples:
Matthew 7:25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 13:21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution
comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but
the flesh is weak."
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak."
Luke 8:13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they
have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
John 16:1 "All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.
Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your
brother or sister to fall.
1 Corinthians 8:13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat
meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have
fallen away from grace.
1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into
disgrace and into the devil's trap.
1 Timothy 6:9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you
may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

Revelation 2:5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do
not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.
7. John MacArthur wrote, “Now the Greek verb here is stekate(?), it's an imperative command and it
is a military word which means to stand your ground, stand your post in the midst of battle. That's
what it means. It means to hold your position while under attack. It means what Paul said in
Ephesians 6, in the middle of battle you've got your armor on and having done all to stand. Stand
against the wiles of the devil. Stand firmly no matter what comes. You don't crumble under
persecution and compromise. You don't crumble under testing and complain. You don't crumble
under temptation and sin, you stand firm, spiritually stable.
Did Christ stand firm? Did He ever waver? No...no. Did He ever compromise? No. Did He ever sin?
No. He who knew no sin, says the Bible. He was without sin, the perfect high priest. Jesus Christ then
is the model. And He stood firm against it all and never violated God. Persecuted? Yes. Did He fall?
No. Did He compromise? No. Tempted? Yes. Did He fall? No. Did He sin? No. Put through all kinds
of trials of life, did He crumble under those trials, collapse, lose His confidence in God and wander
around looking for a human fix? No. He stood firm. And since He is the prize and the goal of our life
and since we are citizens of heaven and since some day we will be like Him and that is our present
desire, we therefore must do as He did, stand firm...stand firm.
Second Thessalonians 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were
taught." Don't waver from the truth. That's the command. I suppose the most familiar expression
comes in these words, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast...what's the next
word?...unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," 1 Corinthians 15:58. It was Peter's
concern, the concern of Paul, the concern of James, the concern of Jesus, the concern of Jude and
John, the concern of the Holy Spirit and of God Himself that we have spiritual stability.”
8. Dwight Pentecost explains it this way...By “stand fast in the Lord” Paul means realizing
experientially in your daily life the purpose God has for this body. As He purposes that throughout
eternity it (the body) should be an instrument to His glory, so now, too, it should be an instrument to
His glory. It must not become a vehicle through which lust and sin manifest themselves. It must be a
vehicle through which righteousness and holiness are manifested, through which God is glorified in
the believer’s life. This is the theme that the apostle has emphasized over and over again.”
9. David Curtis wrote, “Evil men will always oppose the things of Christ. We constantly battle to walk
in righteousness. We battle the flesh which is always pulling us down. We all have personal trials and
troubles that cause us to break down in terms of trust, or that make us nervous and anxious and
cause us to worry, or feel vengeance, or carry bitterness. The family today is under attack, marriage
is under attack. We are in a battle on every front, and it is hard to remain stable. That is what is on
Paul's mind here. The Philippian church had their problems, they faced instability just like we do.
Instability is not a new problem. Throughout the New Testament Christians are exhorted to stand
firm. We are called to be doctrinally stable. James tells us that a double minded man is unstable:
James 1:8 (NKJV) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. He is double minded, he wants
God's will and at the same time wants his own will.

Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV) Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without
walls. Without their walls, the ancient cities were subject to attack, and when we are undisciplined,
we, too, are subject to attack. If your life is undisciplined, you are like an ancient city with no walls
that is very easy to destroy. Instability is not just a sad condition, it is a costly one.
Who is the most spiritually stable biblical character you can think of? Joseph! Joseph was a picture of
stability. He was a rock. No matter what came his way, he remained faithful to God, unswerving in his
attitude and walk. Is that type of stability just for biblical characters or can we live like that? I think
that it is possible for us to live like that, and the first nine verses of Philippians give us insight in to
how to do it. How can we be stable? By following the exhortations that Paul gives the Philippians in
chapter 4. He is calling for loyalty to the Lord. The world is full of Christians on the retreat,
Christians living in sin. Well, how are we to stand fast? "In the Lord," this is a call for a Christ
centered life, living in dependance upon the Lord and His strength. Three times in the first four
verses, he says, "In the Lord." This is how we are to live, "In the Lord." I add this verse, “As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in
Me.” (Jn 15:4) The Lord himself says we can only make it and stand fast, and produce any fruit by
being in him.” Paul could make it because he could say, “For me to live is Christ…” He was always
abiding in the Lord.”
10. An unknown author wrote, “Most of you have heard of Stonewall Jackson, the famous Civil War
general. But do you know where Stonewall Jackson got his name? I have stood on the hill on the
battlefield at Manassas where General Bernard Bee gave Jackson his famous nickname. As the
Confederate forces were near to giving way under a Union attack, Bee looked over and saw Jackson
and his men doggedly holding to their position. Desperate to motivate his own men, Bee pointed at
Jackson and shouted, "There stands Jackson like a stone wall." His men were inspired, and stood
firm themselves until the battle was eventually won.” His example of taking a stand influenced others
to stand firm, and each of us have an obligation to be that kind of example so that weaker believers
can be inspired and motivated to stand firm. Paul held himself up as an example, for he followed
Christ, and he expected the Philippians to follow him. If you are not standing firm, you are helping to
weaken the stand of others.
11. Ray Pritchard, “The call to "stand firm" refers to a soldier staying faithfully at his post no matter
what happens around him. Let the enemy attack as he will, the soldier's orders are clear: Stand firm!
This command was often repeated by the Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 15:58, "Stand firm. Let nothing move you."
1 Corinthians 16:13, "Stand firm in the faith."
Galatians 5:1, "Stand firm … and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Ephesians 6:11, "Take your stand against the devil's schemes."
Ephesians 6:13, "Having done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:14, "Stand firm … with the belt of truth buckled around your waist."
Philippians 1:27, "Stand firm in one spirit."
Colossians 4:12, "Stand firm in all the will of God."
2 Thessalonians 2:15, "Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you."

12. Stand fast in the Lord so others can see you are saying by your life, “I am in Christ, and Christ is
in me.”
Like a bird in the air,
Like a fish in the sea,
I am in Christ,
And Christ is in me.
Like the moo in a cow,
Like the buzz in a bee,
I am in Christ,
Just like yeast in the bread,
Like a spoon in the tea,
I am in Christ,
Just like sand in the box,
Like a swing in the tree,
I am in Christ,
Just like blood in the veins,
Like water in the knee,
I am in Christ,
Because I love Jesus
All God's people agree,
I am in Christ,
And Christ is in me. Glenn Pease
2. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree
with each other in the Lord.
Lightfoot: I appeal to Euodia, and I appeal to Syntyche, to give up their differences and live at peace
in the Lord.

NLT: And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you
belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
Phillips: Euodius and Syntache I beg you by name to make up your differences as Christians should!
"I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his
children holding grudges." (Message)
1. These two women became famous for having a conflict, and we don’t even know what it was about.
Some say their names mean “fragrant”, or “prosperous journey,” for Euodia, and “with fate”, or
“happy chance,” for Suntuche. John MacArthur says, “The name Euodia means "sweet fragrance,"
and Syntyche means "pleasant." Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts wrote, “The names "Euodia" and
"Synyche" in Philippians 4:2 actually mean in Greek something like "Success" and "Good Luck."
Constable says, “Euodia ("Success") and Syntyche ("Lucky").Feel free to add your own opinion as to
what these names mean.
1B. Apparently those women weren't living up to their names. Instead they were troublesome and
were threatening the unity in the Philippian church.” Harry Ironside has a humorous account of how
these names can be pronounced. He wrote, “He was unschooled, and trying to give a word of
exhortation. He fumbled through the opening verses of Philippians 4, but became confused over the
names of the two women referred to in verse 2, and so he read, "I beseech Odious and I beseech
Soontouchy that they be of the same mind in the LORD." He then proceeded to attempt an
application of the truth according to the names as he had misunderstood them. How much trouble is
made among Christians by women like Odious, who are so unpleasant to get on with, and
Soontouchy, who get offended over every little trifle! The application was good, thought the
interpretation was faulty.”
To live above with the saints we love,
Oh that will be glory.
But to live below with the saints we know,
That’s a different story.
It is just not true that two good Christians will never have a conflict with each other. And it does not
mean than one in the conflict has to be wrong and one right. Caffin considered the repeated "I
exhort" as a probable indication that both ladies were at fault. Paul urges both equally to knock off
the conflict and reestablish the unity.
1C. Simcox, “Euodia and Syntyche are authentic saints, not
grand dames or dilettantes who take a little religion for
the sake of appearances or to make them feel good. They
have worked, fought, sacrificed, and suffered alongside of
Paul in the work of the Gospel. They have counted not
their lives dear unto themselves. But their personal feud
is bitter enough to call for Paul's special attention from far
away and for the true yoke-fellow's reconciling help.

We cannot 'stack our personalities at the door of
the church' when we come in. We must carry everything
that is in us into our worship of God and our service of
Christ, and that includes those things in us that are not too
loving and not too lovable. Our Lord must use us whether we
are agreeable, co-operative, easy to get along with or not.
The problem of Euodia and Syntyche is found wherever
two or three are gathered together in Christ's name, and
the world is not always forced to say: 'Behold, how these
Christians love one another/ Sometimes we give it too good
cause to say, 'Behold, how these Christians wrangle and
bicker.'”
1D. Women played a major role in this church. It started in the home of Lydia (Acts 16:13f). Paul
does not take sides here, but urges them to patch things up for the sake of the church. Agree to
disagree even, but be of one mind as to your ministry for Christ. Christians can have many different
perspectives, and yet be one in Christ and in the essence of the Gospel. These were obviously
prominent women. They got their names in the Bible, not for any great deeds, but for their conflict.
You can get noticed for bad things as well as good, but it is not the kind of notice we are to seek.
There is the virtue of obscurity, for it would have been better had they never been known than to be
known for this conflict. They were in the book of life; they did not need to be in the book of the Bible.
2. Barclay wrote, “Paul bids Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. There can be no unity unless
it is in Christ. In ordinary human affairs it repeatedly happens that the most diverse people are held
together because they all give allegiance to a great leader. Their loyalty to each other depends entirely
on their loyalty to him. Take the leader away, and the whole group would disintegrate into isolated
and often warring units. Men can never really love each other until they love Christ. The brotherhood
of man is impossible without the lordship of Christ.
2B. Paul bids the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. The one thing all men need to learn about joy is
that it has nothing to do with material things or with a man's outward circumstances. It is the simple
fact of human experience that a man living in the lap of luxury can be wretched and a man in the
depths of poverty can overflow with joy. A man upon whom life has apparently inflicted no blows at
all can be gloomily or peevishly discontented and a man upon whom life has inflicted every possible
blow can be serenely joyful.
2C. In his address to the students of St. Andrews University, J. M. Barrie quoted the immortal letter
which Captain Scott of the Antarctic wrote to him, when the chill breath of death was already on his
expedition: "We are pegging out in a very comfortless spot.... We are in a desperate state--feet frozen,
etc., no fuel, and a long way from food, but it would do your heart good to be in our tent, to hear our
songs and our cheery conversation." The secret is this--that happiness depends not on things or on
places, but always on persons. If we are with the right person, nothing else matters; and if we are not
with the right person, nothing can make up for that absence. The Christian is in the Lord, the greatest
of all friends; nothing can separate the Christian from his presence and so nothing can take away his
joy.

2D. An unknown author wrote, “Paul does not take sides here, but urges them to patch things up for
the sake of the church. Agree to disagree even, but be of one mind as to your ministry for Christ.
Christians can have many different perspectives, and yet be one in Christ and in the essence of the
Gospel. These were obviously prominent women. They got their names in the Bible, not for any great
deeds, but for their conflict. You can get noticed for bad things as well as good, but it is not the kind
of notice we are to seek. There is the virtue of obscurity, for it would have been better had they never
been known than to be known for this conflict. They were in the book of life; they did not need to be
in the book of the Bible.”
2E. James Allen wrote, “Paul does not say, "I am sorry that you two ladies are not getting along.
Perhaps one of you should consider joining another church." He tells them to get along. Literally he
says, "to agree." This requires a determination to lay down your pride and determine that you will
get along. You see, the church was old enough now that the masks were being laid aside and now the
real personalities were starting to shine. The theme of this entire message begins with telling them to
start thinking another way.”
2F. Some write as if this was a major conflict threatening the church, but Calvin did not think so, and
he wrote, “1 exhort Euodias and Syntyche. It is an almost universally received opinion that Paul was
desirous to settle a quarrel, I know not of what sort, between those two women. While I am not
inclined to contend as to this, the words of Paul do not afford ground enough for such a conjecture to
satisfy us that it really was so. It appears, from the testimony which he gives in their favor, that they
were very excellent women; for he assigns to them so much honor as to call them fellow-soldiers in the
gospel. Hence, as their agreement was a matter of great moment f210, and, on the other hand, there
would be great danger attendant on their disagreement, he stirs them up particularly to concord.”
3. I don’t want to argue with men like Barclay, and others of such scholarship and wisdom, but there
is a tendency in them to ignore the reality that joy for the Christian does often depend on
circumstance. It is stressed so much that it is not that I think many just quote these men rather than
look at what Scripture is actually saying. My study of this letter shows Paul receiving so much of his
joy by the good memories he has of the Philippians, and the good news he hears of their faithfulness.
They make his joy complete he says, and other churches did not give him such joy, and that clearly
says that the positive circumstances of their growth and loyalty, and their generosity to him was a
major part of his joy. Even in the excellent illustration of Barclay that we read in 2C shows that joy
depends on the circumstance of being with the right persons. I understand that by being in Christ we
do have a dimension of joy that rises above all circumstances, and that we can be joyful in him when
all circumstances are without any basis for joy, but this does not eliminate the reality that joy is not
complete unless there are positive circumstances. Paul wept in frustration because of bad news from
other churches, and he had no joy in them. He still had joy in Christ, but his joy was not complete
without positive circumstances in his churches and converts. I keep coming back to this matter all
through this letter because it is ignored and denied by just about every commentator at some point.
We need to face reality and admit that circumstances can make us miserable or make us joyous. It
was so even for our Lord, and that is why he wept over Jerusalem because of their negative response

to God’s greatest gift, namely himself.
4. Paul says they need to be of one mind to live in harmony and he used this same verb phroneo
earlier exhorting the saints. He said, “make my joy complete by being of the same mind (also the verb
phroneo), maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from
selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more
important than himself.” Unity demands that people be willing to compromise by admitting that
another perspective may be valid. We do not know what the conflict was between these ladies, but had
it been a major doctrinal issue Paul would have made it clear what was the Christian perspective. The
fact that he did not take a side means that the issue was one of a personal nature where both
perspectives could be valid. In such cases we need to agree to disagree, just as we do on broccoli and a
host of other things that are matters of personal taste. Pride led even the Apostles to argue over who
of them was the greatest, and Jesus had to knock them down a peg or two by making it clear that it is
how low you can stoop to serve, and not how high you can stand to gloat, that makes you great in the
kingdom of God. These two women just have to humble themselves and stop trying to be number one
in the church. Paul makes it clear they are both mature and faithful believers who have done great
service for the Lord. They just need to stop needing to be first and humble themselves to admit the
other is just as good a servant of the Lord as they are. Once they do that there will be reconciliation
and peace, for then they will have the mind of Christ.
5. Spurgeon said that if believers cannot come to this point of humble unity they need to part from
one another. He wrote, “For brethren according to the flesh to dwell together is not always wise; for
experience teaches that they are better a little apart, and it is shameful for them to dwell together in
disunion. They had much better part in peace like Abraham and Lot, than dwell together in envy like
Joseph's brothers. When brethren can and do dwell together in unity, then is their communion
worthy to be gazed upon and sung of in holy Psalmody. Such sights ought often to be seen among
those who are near of kin, for they are brethren, and therefore should be united in heart and aim;
they dwell together, and it is for their mutual comfort that there should be no strife; and yet how
many families are rent by fierce feuds, and exhibit a spectacle which is neither good nor pleasant!”
6. David Curtis has these remarks: “Is it significant that they are women? Maybe! Most of the
conflicts that I have seen in the church over the years have been caused by women. Women, as a
general rule, seem to have a harder time resolving conflicts and forgiving then men do. Women are
more emotional than men and often it's our emotions that get us into trouble. Example: When I was
in high school, Cathy and I would often get into arguments. The next day I was always amazed that
she was still upset about an argument that happened yesterday. Every once in a while my best friend
and I would get into a fight, a fist fight, we would just duke it out. Then the next day he would come
over and we would both act as if nothing ever happened. We would both be banged up but we would
still be friends. We had settled our disagreements and we went on. I believe, and I could certainly be
wrong, but I believe it is a little harder for women to forgive and forget.”
6B. Women can be very strong in their opinions and convictions, and then very stubbornly hold to
them without compromise. We see this in women in the life of Jesus. Pamela Cooper-White is the
Director of the Center for Women and Religion at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Ca.,
and she wrote, “There are many biblical models of women speaking their own voices in conflict.
Women confront Jesus and call him to action. I recall Martha and Mary saying forthrightly to Jesus,

"If you had been there, our brother Lazarus would not have died" (John 11:21,32). Mary, the mother
of Jesus, told the servants at the wedding of Cana, in essence, "Don’t listen to him. He says his time
hasn’t come yet. Well, bring the water! We’ll see about that" (John 2:1-5). The Syro-Phoenician
woman (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)would not take no for an answer. These women insisted upon
God’s healing grace through Jesus and confronted authority in order to do so.”
6C. An unknown author give us this information: “Euodia and Syntyche were leaders of the church at
Phillipi. Phillipi was a Roman colony and chief city of a district of Macedonia in northern Greece.
Women in Macedonia were regarded in higher esteem and walked in more equality than almost
anywhere else in the ancient world. There is archeological evidence that tells us that one woman
erected tombs for both herself and her husband out of their joint earnings. There are monuments in
Macedonia for women put there by public organizations. Women here were respected leaders in the
church and in society. Another indicator of Euodia and Syntyche's leadership position is the manner
in which Paul addresses them. He does not condescend, he does not command, but he "implores"
them to reconcile. He comes to them as an equal, as a peacemaker between them.”
7. David Curtis takes us back to the setting by his imagination, and it is both realistic and humorous.
He wrote, “How would you like to be these two ladies when this letter was read in front of the whole
church? They must have wanted to crawl under their pews. Imagine one of the elders reading this
letter and Euodia and Syntyche are sitting there listening. In chapter 3, he reads "our citizenship is in
heaven" and Euodia and Syntyche say, "Amen." The elder continues to read, "From which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," And Euodia and Syntyche say, "We can't wait for
the return of our Savior to transform our bodies." Then he starts in to chapter 4, "My brethren,
dearly beloved and longed for...." And the ladies are crying, "Oh, Paul loves us so much. I miss Paul,
I wish he were here." "My joy and my crown...., Euodia and Syntyche say, "Oh we miss this man."
Then he reads, "Stand fast in the Lord." And the ladies say, "We are going to stand fast, we'll do
anything for brother Paul." Then the elder reads, "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche..." They
both sit straight up and listen intently. Then the elder reads, "Be of the same mind, get it together
women!" These two women must have been shocked, their jaws hit the floor. Here they are in the
public meeting and the Word of God is being read and their names are mentioned. For all eternity,
their names are in God's Word. Are you glad that the Word of God is finished being written? Do you
want your name in here like these ladies?”
8. Stewart Brisco writes about how serious it is when Christians fight each other. “Besides obscuring
the evangelistic message, inter-Christian strife dissipates the energies of Christians. It diverts them
from the real object of their warfare: Satan and his cohorts. To a large extent the effectiveness of a
body of believers in thwarting the designs of Satan is directly related to that body’s effectiveness in
fighting itself. There is only so much nervous and physical energy in all of us, and the more we expend
in fighting each other, the less there will be for the real task to which we have been called.” When
Christians hurt each other they hurt their own body. It is like the teeth biting one’s own hand.”
9. Jowett gives us a picture of how best to warm up a cold relationship among believers. He wrote,
“The only really effective way of removing ice is by raising the temperature. And when two people
have been “cold” towards each other, when their conversation and fellowship are like ice, it is not
good trying to chip away the encumbrance by the picks and axes of conventionality. The only

resource is to raise the temperature, to bring the two lives into His presence whose grace is as a
“consuming fire.”
10. Turner wrote, “Two ladies in the Philippian church were having a little quarrel with each other.
The Philippian church was such a warm and caring place, this bad relationship stuck out like a sore
thumb. Paul was admonishing them to put aside their differences and settle their disagreement.”
11. Chuck Swindoll points out that sometimes two Christians just cannot see an issue the same way,
and they have to go on loving each other even if they can never agree. He writes of just such an issue
between him and his wife. He wrote, “Life gets complicated. I can’t speak for you, but for me
dilemmas are a regular occurrence. Some folks-at least from all outward appearances-seem to deal
with life on a black-and-white basis. Stuff they encounter is either right or wrong. Not for me.
Somehow I wind up in the grey area more often than not. Dilemmas have the potential of being some
of life’s most demanding joy stealers. Being stuck between two possibilities where a case could be
made for going either way....Ah, that’s a tough call. We’ve all been there.”
“I, too, occasionally battle with negativism. When I do, it is usually my wife Cynthia who suffers the
brunt of it. She has been pretty patient to endure it for more than 37 years. I’m not as bad as I use to
be, but every once in a while it surfaces. Some of my readers know the on going debate that Cynthia
and I have about bougainvillea. Years ago she really wanted us to plant several containers of bright
red bougainvillea. It is a wonderful plant if you look at just the blossoms. But hidden within the
plant are thorns...I mean those suckers are wicked! When Cynthia looks at bougainvillea, she sees
only blossoms. When I look at the plant, I see only thorns. Unfortunately, there is a house not far
from our home with a spectacular blooming bougainvillea climbing off the roof out front. Whenever
we pass that house, Cynthia likes to drive a little slower and enjoy the blossoms. At certain times of
the year she will point out, “Look how beautifully that bougainvillea is blooming.” I will usually
respond without looking, “Do you realize the size of its thorns? I mean they are big...and they grow
all over that plant. You may not see them, but if you walk close enough you may never get free. It
could catch you and hold you for half a morning.”
Cynthia isn’t convinced. She even said to me on one occasion, “Do you realize, honey, that every
time-I mean every time- I mention bougainvillea, you grouse about the thorns?” (I might add that
that conversation led to a dispute between us.)
In a light hearted moment several years ago, I revealed our ongoing disagreement from the pulpit of
our church, and much to my chagrin some anonymous soul sent us ten five-gallon containers of
bougainvillea. I never told my wife, however, and we still have not planted bougainvillea. It is not
God’s will that we have bougainvillea. Too many thorns. Cynthia says she is confident that heaven
will be full of bougainvillea. Since heaven is a perfect place, I maintain they would have to be a thorn
less species.”
12. It is said that when the British and French were fighting in Canada in the 1750s, Admiral Phipps,
commander of the British fleet, was told to anchor outside Quebec. He was given orders to wait for
the British land forces to arrive, then support them when they attacked the city. Phipps’ navy arrived
early. As the admiral waited, he became annoyed by the statues of the saints that adorned the towers
of a nearby cathedral, so he commanded his men to shoot at them with the ships’ cannons. No one
knows how many rounds were fired or how many statues were knocked out, but when the land forces
arrived and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of no help. He had used up all his

ammunition shooting at the “saints.”
13. One of the best examples of wise counseling on dealing with conflict between Christians is the
following by Rev. Bruce Goettsche. He wrote, “Paul urges both women to work at reconciliation. Both
were at fault. It doesn't matter what kind of conflict is taking place, we certainly have some
culpability in the situation. There are a number of good questions to ask yourself if you are in a
conflict situation
1. Have I fueled this conflict by my own pride, stubbornness or defensiveness?
2. Have I contributed to this conflict by hurtful words, aggressive tactics, or by twisting what
really happened?
3. Have I refused to give someone the benefit of the doubt and instead concluded that I know
what the motives of another really are?
4. Have I hindered reconciliation by my bitterness, evil thoughts, or stubbornness?
5. Am I acting like I have no responsibility for the problems that exist?
6. Am I guilty of resisting God by refusing to extend forgiveness and seek reconciliation?
7. Am I guilty of perpetuating this conflict by my laziness?
8. Am I waiting for the other person to make the first move and thus violating Paul's command
to do everything that we can do to be reconciled?
It is amazing how fast reconciliation comes in a situation if people honestly are willing to admit and
address their responsibility in a conflict situation. As we look at our own hearts and attitudes we are
taking a step toward reconciliation. We are beginning to remove the barrier that exists between us
and another person.”
14. Goettsche goes on to quote these Bible texts, “Solomon wrote,
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. [Pr. 19:11]
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. [Pr. 12:16]
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. [Pr.
17:14]
Paul told the Colossians, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” [Col. 3:12-
13] …… I'm not suggesting that we will resolve every conflict. Paul told us that "as far is it depends
on you, be at peace with all men." Sometimes the other person doesn't want to listen. Sometimes they
don't want reconciliation. Sometimes the issues are too big to simply shrug them off. In those times we
can only walk away and hope for an opportunity to be reconciled some time in the future. But we
must not do this too quickly! We must work and work hard at being reconciled before concluding
that there is nothing more you can do.”

15.“Why, do you suppose, this very down-to-earth, specific problem is mentioned in Holy Writ right
alongside such a sublime hymn to love and joy and peace? Some reasons are : 1. Real life is that way!
Good people can begin to get 'out of sorts.' The good people in Philippi NEEDED the admonition. We
deal in absolute truth, and try to live by high principles, according to ideals and holy patterns. And
yet real life is never quite exactly 'by the textbook.' And our sermons that seek to touch the stars have
to deal with life right down here on earth where we live it! 2. Love is always a CHOICE. Even for
born-again, sanctified Christians! We cannot simply depend on how we "feel," and so Paul could say:
"Stop! CHOOSE to love one another! CHOOSE to agree in the Lord!" Christian love always depends
on some kind of PREMISE of INTEGRITY. Christian love depends on people of good will, who
themselves stop and think how others who disagree MAY just be God's good people, too. And so, real
LOVE is somehow a willingness to "ascribe" that same level of pure motivation to those who differ
from us in the Lord. 3. Note: THE CALL IS FOR AGREEMENT IN THE LORD! Not for perfect
understanding or perfect unity in approach or all driving the same kind of cars . . . Or even voting the
same ticket! But it IS a call for KINDNESS!” Author unknown
16. Dr. Grant Richison speculates on what the problem was. “Euodia and Syntyche tried to remold
each other. They were two different people. Each person wanted the other to be like them. They tried
to put the round peg in a square hole. The issue was personal preference or personal taste, not
principle. These two women were trying to remold each other into their own image. Each lady had a
mold into which they were trying to pour other person. If the mold does not fit they try to force
her into it. Euodia may have had a square mold. She was particular and punctilious. Syntyche had a
round mold. She tried to make Euodia fit the round mold.” He could be right, but there could also be
many other reasons they were in conflict.
3. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women
who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,
along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose
names are in the book of life.
Lightfoot: Yes, I ask you, my faithful and true yokefellow, who are now by my side, who will deliver
this letter to the Philippians, to reconcile them again: for I cannot forget how zealously they seconded
my efforts on behalf of the Gospel. I invite Clement also, with the rest of my fellow-laborers, whose
names are enrolled in the book of life, the register of God’s faithful people, to aid in this work of
reconciliation.
Wuest: Even so, I make request of you also, you who are a genuine yokefellow in deed as well as in
name [knowing how to work harmoniously with others], lend a hand with these women in their efforts
at settling the differences which they have between themselves, women of such a character that in the
good news they labored and contended in perfect co-operation with me as a team of athletes would,
together also with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.

1. Paul makes a request to one who was a special friend of his in the church. He gives us the names of
the women in contention, but does not name his close friend. Had he done so he would have created
another well-known Bible name for boys, for he was a true friend and a godly man. Coffman lists
some guesses as to who this mystery man might be. He wrote, “Just who was this? Hewlett allowed
that it could have been Luke; F6 Wesley made a conjecture that it was Silas; F7 Clement of Alexandria
taught that this referred to Paul's wife! F8 Dummelow said it was probably a proper name on which
Paul made a pun, as in the case of Onesimus (profitable). F9 It is hardly necessary to add that we do
not know who it was. If this writer were asked to guess at it, the answer would be Epaphroditus,
following Lipscomb and Lightfoot.”
1B. Some feel that the Greek word itself is his name, and it is also spelled Syzygus, and so for short we
could call him Gus. The Greek word is suzugos, and it refers to those joined or yoked together and in
extra biblical Greek referred to a companion in any enterprise, a marriage partner,
a comrade in arms or a business associate. This word describes a close companion
(yokefellow). The picture is that of two oxen yoked together pulling equally in order
to plough effectively. In the ancient world, they would put a yoke upon the necks of
a new married couple, or chains on their arms, to show that they were to be closely united,
functioning as one person. Metaphorically suzugos describes one individual subjected to another.
2. Gill writes of this Gus, “…some think this person was the husband or brother of one of the above
women; and therefore is entreated to use his interest, and compose the difference between them, or
endeavor to reconcile them to the church; and others that it was the jailer, that was converted by the
apostle: but it seems most likely to have been one that was under the same yoke of the Gospel, and
who had been employed with him in preaching of it, a fellow laborer; such an one as Barnabas, Silas,
and Timothy, and might be one of those; or rather Epaphroditus, who was minister in this church,
and by whom the apostle sent this letter, and whom he might address and importune in this manner.
Most feel it is Epaphroditus. Christians in conflict need help, for pride often gets in the way, and
without a third party to help them they cannot get past their pride. They were both intelligent
servants of Christ, but they could not get reconciled on their own.”
help these women who have contended at my side in the
cause of the gospel,
1. Here are two wonderful and mature Christian women who have fought side by side with Paul in the
battle to win people out of the darkness into the kingdom of light. It just shows us that the best of
Christians can fall into conflict with each other, and then allow their pride to make them stubborn in
seeking reconciliation. It happens all the time, and has been happening all through history. Christians
are never quite there, but need to, like Paul, be ever pressing on to become all that the Lord wants
them to be. The best of people can be the worst of problems because of their pride in never being able
to say, “I may have been wrong, or too stubborn.”

2. Here are the first two Christian women in history that needed to get into anger management, and to
get help, or counseling, to overcome their conflicting personalities. Gus had to set these two down and
be their therapist. Paul chose him for the task because he knew he had some skill in this area. He was
a peacemaker, and that was the job that needed to be done. Again, since Paul have him no guidance
as to how to help them, it means that it was not a doctrinal issue but a personal one.
Someone stated it, “Paul asks for the other leaders in the Church to take a role in resolving this
dispute...it didn't matter who was correct, they were both wrong for being at odds with each other
since the issue was not doctrinal.”
3. JFB “At Philippi, women were the first hearers of the Gospel, and Lydia the first convert. It is a
coincidence which marks genuineness, that in this Epistle alone, special instructions are given to
women who labored with Paul in the Gospel. In selecting the first teachers, those first converted
would naturally be fixed on. Euodia and Syntyche were doubtless two of "the women who resorted to
the riverside, where prayer was wont to be made" (Acts 16:13), and being early converted, would
naturally take an active part in teaching other women called at a later period..”
4. David Curtis wrote, “Notice what Paul says about these women. He says, "Who labored with me in
the gospel." The Greek word he uses for labored is sunathleo, which was used of gladiators who
fought side by side against an enemy. Even though these women had a conflict, Paul doesn't lose sight
of their good qualities. It is so easy to overlook the good of those having problems. Isn't it amazing
that when someone wrongs us or does something that we don't like how quickly we can forget all the
positive things they may have done for us? Let's take a lesson here from Paul, and the next time we
are upset with someone for what ever reason, let's stop and focus on the good and positive things that
they have done for us and the Lord.”
5. It is obvious that these two women were active leaders in the church that Paul loved in a special
way, and this leads to the question, why does Paul have such a positive view of women in ministry
here, but in other letters seems to want to limit women in what role they can play in leadership in the
church? It is a vast and complicated subject that has brilliant Christians on opposite sides. I favor the
side that says women are to be used according to their God-given gifts and abilities to do whatever
they feel called to do. I want to quote a lengthy passage from a sermon by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts
who holds this position on women in ministry. I do so because it fits what Paul is saying about these
two women in Philippi, and it is instructive in showing what a Christian attitude should be in an area
where believers have different perspectives.
5B. Mark Roberts wrote, “A few weeks ago a woman met with me to talk about our church. She was
looking for a new church and had a bunch of questions she wanted to ask the Senior Pastor. Along the
way she queried, "Does your church include women in ministry? Are the gifts of women valued
here?"
"Yes they are," I answered. "In fact, as you probably know, we ordain women as elders, deacons, and
pastors."
My interrogator's jaw dropped. For a moment she was silent, obviously incredulous. Finally she
spoke. "You have ordained women as elders ? And as pastors ? Could a woman preach in your
church?"

"Yes. In fact come back in a couple weeks and you can hear Pastor Barbara Buck preach."
Again my questioner was silent for a while. "I'm blown away," she said. "I've never heard of this
before. I can't believe it. I don't know what I think about it."
As you've probably guessed, she had come from a church that excludes women from certain tasks,
notably from preaching and overall church leadership. She had always heard that the Bible limits
these ministries to men. Now she was hearing something quite different, and she was stunned.
5C. Part of what confused this woman, and it has perplexed other folk over the years, is that Irvine
Presbyterian Church clearly upholds biblical teaching and biblical authority. We are not a church,
like some, that considers the Bible to be an authority for our life, but dispensable if other authorities
are more to our liking. We seek to live under biblical authority and to guide our life together by
scriptural teaching. Therefore, if a person has always heard that the Bible prohibits women from
preaching or exercising authority over men, then IPC will be confusing because we boldly uphold
biblical authority, yet at the same time we do that which some people believe is contrary to biblical
teaching.
5D. Five Fundamental Axioms Concerning Women in Ministry at IPC
There's no way I can address all of the myriad of issues associated with the role of women in the
church in this sermon. I won't even try. But I do want you to understand five fundamental axioms
that guide our church.
Axiom #1: Biblical Authority
Axiom #1 is this: The Bible is God's inspired Word, the chief authority for our life as a church.
Whether the issue is the leadership of women, or the ordination of homosexuals, or the use drums in
worship, the leaders of IPC always turn to the Bible for divine guidance for our life together.
Axiom #2: The Bible and Women in Leadership
Axiom #2 is this: The Bible, when rightly and fully understood, affirms the full participation of
women in church leadership.
Yes, I'm well aware that not all Christians agree on this point. I've spent a whole lot of my life
working on it and have read just about every major writer who disagrees with me. I've taught
seminary courses on the topic of women and the Bible. In fact the very first article I ever published,
now over twenty five years ago, was on the topic of women in ministry in the Bible. And, yes, of course
I'm aware of the three passages in the New Testament that seem to limit the ministry of women. But I
believe that each of these passages, when rightly interpreted, was not meant to limit the ministry of
women in all settings, but only in the first-century churches where women were abusing their freedom
in Christ.
Beyond these three passages, I believe that the whole scope of Scripture shows that women are to be

full partners with men in ministry. From the creation of male and female in God's image in Genesis 1,
to God's raising up of Deborah as a prophet and judge in Israel, to the Pentecostal outpouring of the
Spirit on men and women so that all may prophesy, to the full inclusion of women in Paul's
evangelistic mission -the Bible teaches us to utilize fully the gifts of women in church. I believe this
passionately.
Axiom #3: Disagreement About Women in Ministry
Axiom #3 is this: Wise, godly, mature Christians will disagree about the issue of women in ministry.
I have dear friends who don't agree with what I've just said about women in ministry. Both my
friends and I love the Lord. We believe the Bible. We seek to determine God's truth in Scripture. But
we disagree over exactly what ministries are appropriate for women.
Sometimes you'll hear people on both sides of this debate make disparaging remarks about the other
side. It's true that some Christian men limit the ministries of women because they are chauvinist pigs.
And it's also true that some Christian women include women because they have been swayed by our
politically-correct, godless culture. But these stereotypes are generally not appropriate, in my
experience, and I'd urge us to reject them. The simple fact is that biblical teaching about women in
ministry is sufficiently complex that God-seeking Christians will end up disagreeing with each other
about it for a host of reasons.
Axiom #4: The Inclusion of Women in Leadership of Our Church
Axiom #4 is this: Irvine Presbyterian Church includes women in all leadership functions, including
the positions of elder and pastor.
Individual Christians can debate the meaning of the biblical passages about women forever, but
Christian churches need to make a decision one way or the other. This church, as a part of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), will include women in all aspects of ministry (except perhaps
counseling junior high boys at camp!). This weekend we will ordain women as elders and deacons
because we believe that's what the Bible teaches us to do, and because were part of a denomination
that affirms this practice.
Axiom #5: Diversity of Opinion at IPC
Axiom #5 is this: Although ordained leaders of IPC need to affirm the calling of women to all forms of
ministry, members of the IPC family can and do disagree over this matter.
There are several women in this church for whom I have utmost respect. They are godly, wise,
biblically-grounded women. They have exercised outstanding leadership in various areas of church
life: women's ministries, children's ministries, etc. Because of their obvious gifts and track record in
ministry, these women have at times been asked to serve as elders. And they have declined because
they don't believe that the Bible endorses this option. That's right. Some of the finest women in our
church don't believe they should serve as elders, on the basis of their understanding of Scripture.

I can't tell you how much I wish they'd change their minds. But, at the same time, I'm proud to be
pastor of a church that calls for agreement in the core matters of faith, and allows for disagreement in
the inessential matters. We in this church must be united in our commitment to Jesus Christ and in
our conviction of biblical authority. But we must allow each other the freedom to differ over many
things, including the role of women.”
along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,
1. There is a lot of speculation as to who this man Clement is, but it is all guesswork, and we have to
accept that we cannot know. He was a fellow worker with Paul, and that is enough, for he stood out in
Paul’s mind as an especially notable worker, for he is named, and the rest are just mentioned as a
group. It is amazing that Paul had a group of workers in the church, and the implication is that Paul
had revisited the church after his first time there to organize the church. He had been back to get
more men involved in ministry. The word for fellow workers is sunergos, and it, as someone wrote,
“…describes those who work together. Can you see in sunergos (synergos) the origin of our English
word "synergy" which describes the interaction or cooperation of two or more individuals,
organizations, substances, etc, to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate
effects. In the fight to spread the "good news" no man is an island, a truth Paul was quick to
acknowledge, even as gifted and energetic as he was.”
2. Paul had a group of men who worked together in unity and harmony, and that is why this church
was so high on his list for giving him joy. He loved this group, and he knew them well enough to know
of their deep love for Christ, and their commitment to him, and that is why he could make the bold
statement that they have their names in the book of life.
whose names are in the book of life.
1. Someone wrote, “There is a book in God’s library with all of the names of those who are the elect
who will share the eternal joy of heaven. This is the most important place to have your name. Not up
in lights on Broadway or in Hollywood, or in the paper etc. but in God’s book of life, for those in this
book have eternal life. Here is the book of the Who’s Who Forever.”
2. There are 11 texts in the Bible that refer to a book where the names of the righteous are written,
and where the names of the unrighteous can be blotted out. There is a lot of mystery about this book
that God keeps in heaven. There is no way to get into God’s library and check it out, and so it has to
remain a mystery. I will list all that the Bible says of it, and then deal with some of the issues that are
raised by these texts.

3. Here is the list:
Exodus 32:32
But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."
Exodus 32:33
The LORD replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.
In Ex 32:31-33 we do not have a reference to the Book of Life. Moses was not asking God to have his
name blotted out in order to go to hell. He was asking God to let him die rather than be associated
with such an idolatrous people. The Book in view is a kind of census book of Israel in which physical
death is a result of being blotted out - which is what occurred, (v. 35; Dt 1:35-36; 2:14), to those in
Israel who practiced idolatry.
Psalm 69:28
May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
Psalm 139:16
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one
of them came to be.
Daniel 12:1
[ The End Times ] "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There
will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at
that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Philippians 4:3
Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, [ Or loyal Syzygus] help these women who have contended at my
side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names
are in the book of life.
Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of
life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the
book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. [ Or written from the
creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain]
Revelation 17:8
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his
destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from
the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not,
and yet will come.

Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another
book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as
recorded in the books.
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only
those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
4. One thing stands out as you read this list, and that is that those in the book of life have life, and
those not in the book have only a destiny of death. To be blotted out of this book is to be hell bound,
and to be written in this book is to be heaven bound. The saved are in the book, and the lost are not. It
looks simple, but there is a complication, for if some can be blotted out the security of being in it is not
very secure. It is a frightening thought that one can be in the book, and then be erased and no longer
have the security of knowing they will be in heaven. This concept then of the book of life becomes a
battle ground for Calvinist and Arminians. Calvinists say a true believer can never be lost, and
Arminians say it is possible for such a believer to become a traitor to his faith and be blotted out of
the book of life. There is evidence in these texts that support either position depending on how you
interpret it.
4B. The literature on this controversy is too vast to deal with here, for great and godly scholars are on
both sides of this issue, and each can be very convincing, and so we have a situation much like that of
the two women in this letter who had some sort of controversy. Both sides in this conflict have the
same obligation to live in love and unity in the service of Christ as they did. I do not believe it is
possible to settle this issue in a way that conclusively establishes that one view is the only possible
view. That being the case, I accept it as another of the great paradoxes of Christian theology, and
choose to love and fellowship with people of both sides of the issue. They are fellow believers and
workers in the kingdom of God. They are a part of the family of God, and brothers and sisters in
Christ, and to deny this is to risk getting your name blotted out of the book of life. To let this issue
cause you to make division in the Church is to fail to learn one of the key purposes of this letter to the
Philippians.
4C. The problems in understanding the nature of this book is due to the fact that we just do not know
enough details to be sure of what interpretation fits all the facts. The Arminian view says all people
without exception are written in the book. Every child that is conceived is written there, and so every
person has the potential of being in heaven if they receive Jesus as Savior. The Calvinistic view says
only the elect are written there, and those who are to be lost are never in the book. It is strictly for
those whom God has chosen, and so all people do not have the chance to be in heaven. The fact that
many are not written in the book at all would support the Calvinistic view, but the fact that some are
blotted out would support the Arminian view. We just do not have enough information to be
dogmatic on this issue.
5. Constable wrote, “"Practically every city of that day maintained a roll or civic
register of its citizens, and in that record was entered the name of every child born in the city. If one
of the citizens proved guilty of treachery or disloyalty or of anything bringing shame on the city, he
was subjected to public dishonor by the expunging of his name from the register.(The name was, in

any case normally obliterated at death.)He was deemed no longer worthy to be regarded as a citizen
of the city. If, on the other hand, a citizen had performed some outstanding exploit deserving of
special distinction, honor was bestowed upon him, either by the
recording of the deed in the city roll or by his name being encircled in gold (or overlaid in gold) in the
roll."
6. Coffman has this interesting study of the Book of Life. He follows the view that the name of a
believer can be blotted out. He wrote, “In the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, the
tourist may see a golden book, encrusted with precious stones and handsomely engraved, where
certain names are inscribed. The book was a gift from a wealthy family and is an excellent example of
beautiful and extravagantly expensive books to be seen all over the world; but how far beyond all
earthly books is the Lamb's book of Life. O to be written there! One of the consolations of scripture is
in this very thing, that the names of Christians are indeed written there in the book of life, there
where God has inscribed it and where none but he may blot it out.
A study of the various references to the book of life reveals the following: (1) Christians' names are
written in it; (2) the ancient faithful, such as Moses, are therein; (3) those whose names are not
inscribed in it shall not be saved (Revelation 13:8; 20:15; 21:27); (4) even though inscribed there, a
name can be blotted out, and for sufficient cause will be blotted out (Revelation 3:5).
Regarding the subject of when the names of the saved are inscribed in the book of life, it would
appear to be at the time of their entry into the kingdom of God, that is, when they confess Christ and
are baptized into him. An incident from the gospel of Matthew strongly suggests this. Christ had
previously promised his disciples that whosoever should confess him before men would also be
confessed by Christ before God and his holy angels (Matthew 10:32); and the first ever to make such
a formal confession was the apostle Peter, saying, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"
(Matthew 16:16); Christ then and there confessed Peter, saying, "Blessed art thou, Simon, son of
John" (Matthew 16:17). The parallel between the two confessions is significant and supports the
conclusion that Jesus was honoring the promise to confess the souls who confessed him. If this is true,
then he still does so; and those who confess Christ and are baptized into him are confessed in heaven
at the same time; and the conjecture may be allowed that such is the occasion of names being
inscribed in the book of life.”
7. Maclaren, “Remember that this citizenship in the heavens is the highest honor that can be
conferred upon a man. The patricians of Venice used to have their names inscribed upon what was
called the 'golden book' that was kept in the Doge's Palace. If our names are written in the book of
gold in the heavens, then we have higher dignities than any that belong to the fleeting chronicles of
this passing, vain world. So we can accept with equanimity evil report or good report, and can
acquiesce in a wholesome obscurity, and be careless though our names appear on no human records,
and fill no trumpet of fame blown by earthly cheeks. Intellectual power, wealth, gratified ambition,
and all the other things that men set before them, are small indeed compared with the honor, with the
blessedness, with the repose and satisfaction that attend the conscious possession of citizenship in the
heavens. Let us lay to heart the great words of the Master which put a cooling hand on all the feverish
ambitions of earth. 'In this rejoice, not that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice that
your names are written in heaven.'” In other words, you may never get your 15 minutes of fame in
this life, but with your name in that book, you will enjoy the eternal favor of God.”

7B. Maclaren continues, “Remember that it depends upon ourselves whether our names are there or
not. John Bunyan describes the armed man who came up to the table, where the man with the book
and the inkhorn was seated, and said: 'Set down my name.' And you and I may do that. If we cast
ourselves on Jesus Christ and yield our wills to be guided by Him, and give our lives for His service,
then He will write our names in His book. If we trust Him we shall be citizens of the City of God; shall
be filled with the life of Christ; shall be objects of an individualising love and care; shall be accepted
in that Day; and shall enter in through the gates into the city. 'They that forsake me shall be written
on the earth'; and there wiped out as are the children's scribbles on the sand when the ocean come up.
They that trust in Jesus Christ shall have their names written in the Book of Life; graven on the High
Priest's breastplate, and inscribed on His mighty hand and His faithful heart.”
8. When you have assurance that your name is in this book of life, then you have no problem in
obeying Paul’s next verse and rejoicing always. A good illustration of this is the following quote from
Ray Pritchard, “On Christmas Day CNN broadcast Larry King's recent interview with Dr. Billy
Graham who is now 80 years old. The last several years Dr. Graham has had a number of major
health problems. He has undergone several difficult operations and now suffers from Parkinson's
Disease. How does Billy Graham feel about the prospect of his own death? "Oh, I'm not afraid to die.
In fact, I'm looking forward to it. I wish that day would hurry up and get here." And what does he
expect will happen when he dies? "When I die, an angel is going to take me by the hand and lead me
into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ." When Larry King asked him how he felt about having
Parkinson's Disease, Dr. Graham replied, "I feel great about it. It's been a wonderful experience. I
believe the Lord has many lessons to teach me through this disease." Surely this is what it means to
"Rejoice in the Lord always."
4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Introduction
This verse is so important in this letter that it is worthy of an introduction before we look at specifics.
“One of the most joyful books ever written came from a man in prison facing possible execution. The
man was Paul, and the book, his letter to the Philippians. It has been called the "epistle of joy"
because it reverberates with the words joy, glad, and rejoice. The theme of the book is "I rejoice, you
should rejoice too." All who are seeking more joy in life - and that means nearly everyone - can find
in this short book God's guide to joy, written by a man who faced head on all the evils and troubles of
the world.....misunderstanding, sickness, abandonment by friends, persecution by enemies,
imprisonment, doubts, despair - and yet could say - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again
Rejoice!"
Why is Philippians the letter of Joy? It is because there is no other letter in the New testament
with as many references to joy as it has.
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for

your furtherance and joy of faith;
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
one mind.
Php 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice
with you all.
Php 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Php 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand
fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
In 1:4 Paul prays with joy. He is happy in his prayer for them making request that he is excited
about for their growth and service.
In 1:25 he is joyful for he knows that he will be able to live and add joy to their lives. It is fun to
make other people happy in their faith.
In 2:2 he seeks to be made more joyful by their unity in the faith. It makes him happy when
Christians are of one accord and not divided.
In 2:17 he is rejoicing that he can be sacrificed in the service of their faith, and can rejoice with
them in the benefits his live has brought to them.
In 2:18 he is asking them to rejoice with him.
In 4:1 he says they are his crown. They are his reward for all eternity, and so he asks them to
stand fast, for he wants everyone of them to be with him in heaven.
Paul is constantly saying rejoice in this letter. The word is used in this letter more than any other
New Testament book.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run
in vain, neither labored in vain.
Php 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith,
I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Php 2:18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Php 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may
rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me
indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

1. John MacArthur wrote, “It doesn't say rejoice, it says rejoice in the Lord. I can't rejoice in my
circumstances all the time. I can't rejoice...I can't rejoice in my circumstances most of the time. I can't
rejoice in the way things are going in this world. I don't like the way things are going in this world. I
don't rejoice over my own immense spiritual accomplishments. I don't have any except by the grace
of God and all I ever see in my life is my failures. I don't rejoice in that. If I'm going to rejoice in
something, it isn't going to be me. You say, "Well don't you rejoice in people?" Oh well, I've been
very disappointed by a lot of them. I don't want to tie my joy to them, as much as I like them. I don't
want to tie my joy to them because it will come and go. "Well don't you rejoice in success?" No, that
comes and goes too. I'd just as soon rejoice in the Lord cause He doesn't come and go, He stays. He
never wavers. He never changes. That's it.”
1B. Maclaren, “It has been well said that this whole epistle may be summed up in two
short sentences: 'I rejoice'; 'Rejoice ye!' The word and the thing crop
up in every chapter, like some hidden brook, ever and anon sparkling out
into the sunshine from beneath the shadows. This continual refrain of
gladness is all the more remarkable if we remember the Apostle's
circumstances. The letter shows him to us as a prisoner, dependent on
Christian charity for a living, having no man like-minded to cheer his
solitude; uncertain as to 'how it shall be with me,' and obliged to
contemplate the possibility of being 'offered,' or poured out as a
libation, 'on the sacrifice and service of your faith.' Yet out of all
the darkness his clear notes ring jubilant; and this sunny epistle
comes from the pen of a prisoner who did not know but that to-morrow he
might be a martyr.”
1C. Maclaren continues, “I can fancy a man saying, 'What is the use of giving me such
exhortations as this? My gladness is largely a matter of temperament,
and I cannot rule my moods. My gladness is largely a matter of
circumstances, and I do not determine these. How vain it is to tell me,
when my heart is bleeding, or beating like a sledge-hammer, to be glad!'
Yes! Temperament has a great deal to do with joy; and circumstances have
a great deal to do with it; but is not the mission of the Gospel to make
us masters of temperament, and independent of circumstances? Is not the
possibility of living a life that has no dependence upon externals, and
that may persist permanently through all varieties of mood, the very
gift that Christ Himself has come to bestow upon us--bringing us into
communion with Himself, and so making us lords of our own inward nature
and of externals: so that 'though the fig-tree shall not blossom, and
there be no fruit in the vine,' yet we may 'rejoice in the Lord, and be
glad in the God of our salvation.' If a ship has plenty of water in its
casks or tanks in its hold, it does not matter whether it is sailing
through fresh water or salt. And if you and I have that union with Jesus
Christ of which my text speaks, then we shall be, not wholly, but with
indefinite increase of approximation towards the ideal, independent of
circumstances and masters of our temperaments. And so it is possible, if
not absolutely to reach this fair achievement of an unbroken continuity

of gladness, at least to bring the lucent points so close to one another
as that the intervals of darkness between shall be scarcely visible,
and the whole will seem to form one continuous ring of light.”
2. There may be many times when you can rejoice in circumstances and people, but you can rejoice in
the Lord always. This assumes that you are walking in obedience to the Lord, however, for it is not
likely that you will be rejoicing if you are living out of his will in an unrepentant state where you are
under his displeasure, and possibly even experiencing his discipline or judgment. It is possible to be in
a negative relationship with your Lord, and not be able to rejoice, but this is the exception in the
Christian life. Most all of us at all times have every reason to rejoice in the Lord. Just reflect on what
he has done for you to earn your salvation, and you will have to praise him and rejoice that this good
news was brought to you.
3. Kaufmann Kohler states in the Jewish Encyclopedia that no language has as many words for joy
and rejoicing as does Hebrew. In the Old Testament thirteen Hebrew roots, found in twenty-seven
different words, are used primarily for some aspect of joy or joyful participation in religious worship.
Hebrew religious ritual demonstrates God as the source of joy. In contrast to the rituals of other
faiths of the East, Israelite worship was essentially a joyous proclamation and celebration. The good
Israelite regarded the act of thanking God as the supreme joy of his life. Pure joy is joy in God as both
its source and object. The psalmist says, "Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is
fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures forevermore". (Psalm 16:11)
4. John MacArthur wrote, “Knowledge of God is the key to rejoicing. Those who know the great
truths about God find it easy to rejoice; those with little knowledge of Him find it difficult to
rejoice.” Then he quotes A. W. Tozer, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the
most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever
risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has
ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or
low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself,
and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what
he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward
our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of
Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea
of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her
silence is often more eloquent than her speech. She can never escape the self-disclosure of her
witness concerning God. Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question,
“What comes into your mind when you think about God?” we might predict with certainty the
spiritual future of that man”
5. In his sermon Joy, a Duty based on Philippians 4:4 Spurgeon writes...
“There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the
best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. We noticed, in our reading,
that there had been a little tiff between two sisters in the church at Philippi;—I am glad that we do
not know what the quarrel was about; I am usually thankful for ignorance on such subjects;—but,
as a cure for disagreements, the apostle says, "Rejoice in the Lord always." People who are very
happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offence or to take

offence. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted
by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are.” “I count it
one of the wisest things that, by rejoicing in the Lord, we commence our heaven here below.”
6. Paul says do it, and this implies that joy is a choice. Our Daily Bread has the following
devotional...Arranging Your Mind - Several years ago I read a story about a 92-year-old Christian
woman who was legally blind. In spite of her limitation, she was always neatly dressed, with her
hair carefully brushed and her makeup tastefully applied. Each morning she would meet the new
day with eagerness. After her husband of 70 years died, it became necessary for her to go to a
nursing home where she could receive proper care. On the day of the move, a helpful neighbor
drove her there and guided her into the lobby. Her room wasn't ready, so she waited patiently in
the lobby for several hours.
When an attendant finally came for her, she smiled sweetly as she maneuvered her walker to the
elevator. The staff member described her room to her, including the new curtains that had been
hung on the windows. "I love it," she declared. "But Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen your room yet,"
the attendant replied. "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she said. "Happiness is something
you choose. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how it's arranged. It's how I arrange
my mind." The Bible says, "Rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4). Remind yourself often of all
that Jesus has given to you and be thankful. That's how to arrange your mind. —David H. Roper
God takes delight when we rejoice
In all that He has done
And when we thank Him for the love
He shows us through His Son. —DDH
When faced with the choice of self-pity or rejoicing, let's respond with rejoicing. —Vernon C
Grounds
Be this the purpose of my soul,
My solemn, my determined choice:
To yield to God's supreme control,
And in my every trial rejoice. —Anon.
7. Barclay wrote, “Paul sets before the Philippians two great qualities of the Christian life. The first is
the quality of joy. "Rejoice ... I will say it again--Rejoice!" It is as if having said, "Rejoice!" there
flashed into his mind a picture of all that was to come. He himself was lying in prison with almost
certain death awaiting him; the Philippians were setting out on the Christian way, and dark days,
dangers and persecutions inevitably lay ahead. So Paul says, "I know what I'm saying. I've thought of
everything that can possibly happen. And still I say it--Rejoice!" Christian joy is independent of all
things on earth because it has its source in the continual presence of Christ. Two lovers are always
happy when they are together, no matter where they are. The Christian can never lose his joy because
he can never lose Christ.
8. Gill wrote, “This is a repetition of the exhortation in the preceding chapter; (See Gill on Philippians
3:1); with this addition "alway"; for there is always cause and matter for rejoicing in Christ, even in
times of affliction, distress, and persecution; since he is always the same; his grace is always sufficient;
his blood has a continual virtue in it, and always speaks for peace and pardon; his righteousness is an

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