Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:1-9
Notes
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Here we find Paul addressing both men and women of the church of Philippi and his hope for the future overflows from his recent words about staying steady on course for all is secure in God’s hands. We need not be imprisoned by our failures or the temptations that ensnare us. He says, “Stand firm in the Lord…” for his fellow workers on the faith are more precious and their value is beyond measure.
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
In Philippi, two Christian women Euodia and Syntyche are in disagreement and disunity over an issue with the threat of causing division within the church. Paul implores both women to reconcile and he refrains from taking sides. He is simply urging them to reconcile, not only for the sake of their own relationship but because strife and division in the church lead to calamity. He also calls on a fellow worker of the church, someone who recognizes the great labor both women have done alongside Paul to be someone who can help lead both women toward reconciliation.
None of us can agree on absolutely everything and be united on everything in our day-to-day lives. But with the message of the Lord and the gift of salvation, it is possible to suppress trivial matters and personal differences in order to return the focus to the Lord, magnifying His name and pronouncing truth to all who are willing to hear. Today, especially in the church, we need to be reminded that we all may have differences in how money is spent, how our government is run, how to raise kids or even how to live one’s life, but in the message of the Lord and his eternal love full of love, mercy and justice, we can be reconciled.
It seems fitting that this selection scripture happens to come up during Women’s History Month where many women, especially ones who have been ignored are brought to light and their work is given just appreciation. It is empowering to know that two women in one of the early churches alongside other women like Lydia, labored and battled for the stability and the growth of the church in their city.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Instead of falling into petty squabbles and incessant arguing, Philippians believers, as well as you and I, are called to rejoice in the Lord. No matter how dark things can be and regardless of our circumstances, Christians can rejoice that we are forgiven and loved by our God whose love is eternal and has triumphed over every form of evil, even over death.
Paul continues by using the word “gentleness” and encourages believers to be both fair-minded and gracious, or with words we might use in the 21st century, to be without prejudice or bias toward anyone and be civil, diplomatic and magnanimous, giving people the benefit of the doubt before casting judgment and sentence on others. This is to be lived out, eminent from our beings as believers and not hidden behind timidity or a strong inclination to not ‘rock the boat.’
‘The Lord is near’ could refer to the imminent Second Coming of Christ or it could imply the proximity of the Lord and that he is both close enough to hear our cries as well as see the virtues we showcase and those we hide. Either way, it should be a comfort to know our Lord is near whether in his closeness to us as we embark through life on this earth or signal the time a new heaven and new earth.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
WORRY ABOUT NOTHING
Anxiety is to feel like one is being pulled in different directions, dwelling too much on the future. Here, Paul is pressing the church to be anxious about nothing. This is radical for any period as we are anxious over basic needs as well as secondary things. We are reminded time an time again that things of this world will disappoint us—money, power, fame, even relationships—only God is dependable. Instead, we are called to put our anxieties on Him and then let them go.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING
If I have time to worry, I have time to pray. God is a willing reception to have all our pain, suffering and torment being laid upon himself. We should not feel guilty for coming to Him with our worries, great or small. There is also an invitation to be expressive and unambiguous. There is nothing virtuous or victorious in vagueness. Be specific! God can bear the load of our anxieties, worries, regrets, dreams, fears, hopes and hardships. The weight is too heavy for us to bear, but all we need to do is step out from under that weight and let it drop before the feet of God.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:24-25
THANK GOD IN ALL THINGS
It is easy to walk through life allowing one’s vision and perspective to narrow and set in one’s ways. This complacency causes us to take things for gratitude, great and small. What do you take for granted? Whenever I travel there is always something that reminds me of what I take for granted at home. It could be something essential like clean drinking water or paved roads. It could also be something more sentimental like spending time with kids or my husband. And yet, I take it for granted more often than not. We are called to be grateful and thank God for everything, the good and the bad. Gratitude lifts our eyes away from our ever-evolving and mutating problems and on the positives in our lives. Gratitude is a gift that many times we pass on or decline to partake in.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17
TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING
The basis for the peace we receive by releasing our anxieties, being in constant prayer and walking daily in gratitude is an assurance that through Christ Jesus we have been reconciled to God. Sin created a divide and only the unbounded and immeasurable love of God can we find peace and hope. Our peace may be seen by unbelievers as a mystery. They may wonder why we have hope after tragedy, peace after suffering and gratitude after hardship. That is the point where we are called to share why we have hope and why we walk in peace.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
In Paul’s final exhortation, he advises fellow believers to focus on the characteristics that please god, deliberately choosing the path of Christ even if it is the more difficult road. We can not think about the things of this world and have our thoughts on Jesus, the two invariably conflict and with every decision we choose one or the other. We are to be reliable, honorable, just, morally sound, approachable, fair, and deserving of commendation by our heavenly Father.
We have examples throughout scripture, through history and even around us today of people living well, for the Father and the greater good. We are called to put into practice these things we know to be good for peace awaits us. His peace draws us closer to him, covering us with His protection and bestowed upon us by His grace.
MEMORY VERses
J. H. Field. Untitled [flowering small tree along river bank], 1869–1936. The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Related Verses
More verses about peace and harmony:
PRAYER INVITATION
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”
— Francis of Assisi
MANÁ 
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