Partners in the Gospel (XIX)

We are now entering the last chapter of Philippians.  Roughly three-fourths of the letter has been handled.  Only a quarter remains to be discussed.

This is the choppiest part of the epistle as far as smooth continuity is concerned.  These ten verses (Phil. 4:1-9) shift from one subject to another as quickly as the mind of a person with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)–and I know because I have ADD!

For example, Paul sandwiches sections on rejoicing in the Lord (vv. 1, 4) and the need for such Christian qualities as steadfastness (v. 1) and graciousness (v. 5) around his loving, but firm, appeal to Euodia and Syntyche (v. 2) to heal the breach in their long friendship (i.e., gospel partnership).  Paul does not anticipate, however, that these two ladies will, in fact, be able to work out their differences (v. 3).  Instead, an unnamed gospel partner–simply called “true partner”–is asked to arbitrate the dispute.

The motivation to get this disunity healed is quite interesting.  It is found in the brief sentence “The Lord is near” (v. 5b).  It appears that this statement plays off what Paul had said in 3:20-21.  There, the Apostle had spoken of his expectation that Christ would come and resolve the rampant excesses of the earthly situation (vv. 20-21).  Now, he says in no uncertain terms that he expected Christ’s coming to be soon.

The remaining subsections of 4:1-9 are well-known: 1)  In vv. 6-7, Paul essentially suggests that the believer “trade in” all their anxiety (v. 6) and receive “the peace that passes all understanding” (v. 7).  That incredible spiritual transaction is accomplished by praying (notice the repeated wording: “prayer,” “petition,” “thanksgiving,” “requests”); and 2) The presence of “the God of peace” is assured when right thinking (v. and right application of that right thinking takes place (v. 9).

Perhaps the implication of vv. 6-9 coming right after the stated problem with Euodia and Syntyche (vv. 2-3) is that, if these women–and possibly the whole church–had been faithful to pray (vv. 6-7) and think/act (vv. 8-9) correctly before the Lord, such a fracas would never have taken place.

Coming Tuesday: Philippians 4:10-23