Letters from Paul

A taste of the study room coming with Paul — pull open whatever you'd like to sit with.

The reading — Philippians 4:1-9

¹Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. ²I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. ³Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” ⁵Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. ⁹The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

World English Bible

The words behind the words

When I say "rejoice" (Philippians 4:4), the word is not a mood that comes and goes with the weather of a day; it is a settled gladness anchored outside yourself — "in the Lord." And when I speak of the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), the word I use for "guard" is a soldier's word: I picture a garrison posted at the gate of your heart and mind, standing watch through the night. You do not manufacture this peace by clever thinking; it is set over you as a sentry.

Where else you say this

I take up the same thread when I write, "the Lord is at hand" — do not be anxious, but let your requests be made known (as also in 1 Corinthians 16:22, where I cry Maranatha, "Our Lord, come"). I press the same fight for the mind elsewhere: "set your minds on things that are above" (Colossians 3:2), and, "we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). What you dwell on, you become.

The situation

I wrote this from confinement, chained, not knowing whether I would live or die (Philippians 1:20-23) — and yet I tell them to rejoice. The Philippians were a dear church, my partners from the first day, who had sent Epaphroditus with a gift when few others helped me. But two women, Euodia and Syntyche, were at odds (Philippians 4:2), and quarreling can unstitch a fellowship faster than persecution can. So these are not serene words from a serene man in easy days; they are hard-won, sent from a prison to a threatened people.

The hard question

"How can you command me to feel glad and unanxious? Feelings are not switches." You are right — and notice I do not command a feeling. I command a direction: rejoice in the Lord; in everything, by prayer, let your requests be known. The turning is not from anxiety to pretended calm, but from anxiety to the God who hears. The peace is promised as a result, not required as a first step (Philippians 4:6-7). Go back and read it slowly: every imperative there is something you do toward God, not a mood you must summon. Do the thing, and let the garrison be posted by him.

This is a small window into what a study room with Paul will hold — word by word, letter by letter, and the maps and journeys behind them. Get notified when it opens →

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