Stand Firm in the Lord

Not only did Paul call for the Philippians to press forward, but he also gave some incredible advice on how to deal with basic stress and tension that come when one worries about losing ground already taken.

Stand Firm (1)

Paul defined his win (crown) in ministry as the church at Philippi, whom he loved and for whom he yearned would continue to stand firm in the Lord (1).

Stand Firm in Agreement (2-3)

Paul took a moment to address a disagreement between two women, Euodia and Syntyche, or just for fun. Euodia's name actually meant “prosperous journey,” and Syntyche's name meant “pleasant friend.” Obviously, the two women were not living up to their calling or names.

Paul entreated them to return and focus on what they agreed on in the Lord before the quarrel infected the whole church (2). Paul especially asked a certain person who was yoked to Paul in the labor of the gospel to give the two women help. This word “companion” could also have been a proper name “Syzygus,” meaning “a companion yoked together.”

These women had labored at Paul’s side in ministry along with Clement and a whole team of gospel fellow-workers. Paul mentioned their names had been chiseled into the Book of Life. He was calling on them all to live like it (3).

Stand Firm in Peace (4-7)

Paul provided an incredible road map to the beyond-comprehension “peace of God.”

• He encouraged rejoicing in what God is doing at all times. Paul emphasized twice the truth that joy comes from rejoicing in the Lord, not the outcome of circumstances (4).

• He called for “reasonableness,” a way of saying, “Be gentle, kind, even yielding.” Most of all in this word, Paul encouraged the Philippians never to seek retaliation (5).

• He called for the Philippians to recognize and be aware of Jesus’ presence. Paul was declaring, “The Lord is here.” 

They were to be so full of the Lord’s presence that their hearts and heads would be drained of anxiety as they gave every need to God in prayer. God is present, He hears, and He answers.

Then Paul revealed the secret to joy: making a request of concern with lavish thanksgiving (6). Paul assured the Philippians that they would experience a transcendent peace, not a circumstance-based one, which could come and go.

God’s peace would remain and build a wall of protection around their emotional world, their spiritual well-being, and their thought-life (7).

For a second time, Paul used the word “finally” to indicate his desire to summarize what he had been saying.

Stand Firm in Thought-Life (8)

Paul reminded them that anxiety comes from thinking about false ideas and imaginary circumstances in wrong ways. Because they so easily thought wrongly, Paul gave them a list of virtues by which the Philippians could evaluate their thoughts.

These Holy Spirit-given virtues would keep their thought-life flowing in God’s transcendent peace.

Whatever is:

• true (what more than one source has borne witness to)

• honorable (what is worthy of honor and respect)

• just (what is completely devoted to God)

• pure (what is focused singularly upon God)

• lovely (what promotes kindness and harmony)

• commendable (what can be found positive in another)

If there is any excellence and anything praiseworthy (what stands out that can be complimented and approved), these virtues are to govern the thought-life of those for whom “to live is Christ” (8).

Stand Firm in Practice (9)

Paul followed his own advice, so he knew all he had been saying to the Philippians would work. If they made a practice out of his way of life, then they would experience transcendent peace and they would discover God’s personal presence within themselves (9).

Stand Firm in Contentment (10-13)

Paul took a moment to express his personal joy that they had kept their love and interest in him alive. It was as though their interest had been revived, but that wasn't really the case; they just had no opportunity to express their concern until his imprisonment. Once Paul was in prison, they sent a gift demonstrating their love, their partnership, and their devotion to Paul (10).

Paul’s strength was not his own; it was Jesus’ strength. Paul’s disadvantage was not in lack, nor was his advantage in abundance. Paul considered himself always advantaged; he had Jesus, and Jesus was his strength (11-12).

Paul needed Jesus’ strength more than supply. Paul then reflected—he had never really been in need, for he had learned a secret: in every circumstance, whether in scarcity or abundance, he could “do all things through Christ who strengthen[ed] [him]” (13, addition mine).

Stand Firm in Generosity (14-18)

Although Jesus was Paul’s strength, he still needed the Philippians’ generosity. From the very beginning when Paul had left for Macedonia, the Philippians gave him some support (14-15). Then, again, the Philippians provided for Paul when he was in Thessalonica. Others had not partnered with him, but the Philippians had proven to be faithful and consistent investors in Jesus’ Kingdom-venture through Paul (16). Their generosity was the way Jesus had strengthened him.

Paul did not so much seek their gifts, as he sought what their gifts could do for Christ’s sake. He gave credit to the Philippians for this, recognizing their generosity, which Epaphroditus had brought to him as a sacred sacrifice to God (17-18).

Stand Firm in God’s Riches (19-20)

Paul concluded the letter by assuring them that God’s riches were able to meet their every need because the riches of God’s presence (glory) are more than enough. Paul concluded it was God’s grace that had moved them to send money. Paul was grateful to God and then to the Philippians (19-20).

Grace (21-23)

Paul then asked for every saint at Philippi to be greeted. Next, Paul sent along greetings from the brothers traveling with Paul. They were acquainted with many of these brothers because they had been with Paul at church in Philippi (21).

Then Paul reminded them of the great fruit of their sacrificial giving. Those who had come to Christ because of the church at Philippi had sent money to Paul so he could entertain those of Caesar’s household. Those entertained surrendered their hearts to Christ. Those newly saved from Caesar’s household were sending their greetings, and in so doing, were saying thank you for supporting Paul. Paul could not name their names, for that would have put them in danger. Paul did remind them their giving had resulted in people surrendering their hearts to Christ (22). 

Lastly, Paul signed off with his usual conclusion: “God’s gift of power, spirit, energy, and vibrancy be upon you. GRACE!” (23)