Now we are in the final chapter of Philippians. Chapter 4 has a lot of amazing nuggets of wisdom from Paul’s experience living for Christ even in prison. He went through a lot and is passing on practical teaching to the church in Philippi and to those who follow Christ now.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, [a]whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to [b]live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true [c]companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:1-3
Asking his brothers and sisters in Christ to live in unity, is nothing new to Paul. It was important to him as it is to many of us. It is important to God! Also, Paul asked them to “stand firm in the Lord.” This also is not a new request from Paul. You will find it throughout Paul’s epistles in the New Testament, as well as in Philippians.
Why should we stand firm and live in unity?
Paul made it a point to mention Euodia and Syntyche. This is who Paul tells to “live in harmony.” They went through struggles with Paul for the sake of sharing the gospel with others. Since Paul makes mention of them and especially that they live in harmony, we assume that these women had issues with each other. They likely did not see eye to eye on some things or perhaps their personalities really clashed. This happens. It doesn’t always mean that one is right and the other is wrong. They must find a way to work together though.
It is necessary though, that when we work together especially for the Lord, that we don’t pretend to get along, but we really make an honest effort because of who we represent- God! We don’t have to be best friends, but as Paul wrote somewhere else, we need to “strive together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27
Our relationship with the Lord must mean something to us enough that we put aside all of the problems that we have with each other and make His message of the gospel, most important! If we don’t make Him a priority to share the gospel, other people who don’t know Him or who have swayed away from Him, will not believe Him either.
They will assume that our message is not important enough to us because we don’t prioritize Him instead of our arguments. We see this often, those of us who use Social Media. People often tear each other apart when they don’t agree 100% on something. I see this regularly. I even wrote on a specific group to those who picked each other apart on a topic that really didn’t matter. They didn’t see what is really important.
Thankfully, I got a good response from people when I encouraged them to make the main purpose real and care about how others see Christ, not nit pick at details. When others see criticism, they don’t want to be part of it. They categorize and put those who say they are Christians, in a box. Anything negative they see or hear in the future, reminds them of this negativity.
As we see above, Paul says to “stand firm” and “live in unity”, Paul did not only tell believers to live in unity, although unity is important. Standing firm cannot be dismissed. We must be strong in our faith and demonstrate this to the world. Don’t be afraid to stand for the gospel and for righteous living.
I believe that this does include what some deem as “politics,” in the case of abortion vs Pro-Life stand. Morality is not “politics” though. God expects us to live as examples and do what He says. One example of this is to “Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9. The unborn are in this category. How do we speak up for them and stand up for them? Do we say nothing when we have an opportunity or do we stand firm for them?
This can even include social media. Not everyone, including believers, decide to do this. When the right opportunity comes though, I believe that it is a platform that we can use. It doesn’t mean that we should fight and argue. This is a very hard balance and I will admit that I haven’t always handled this correctly. Pray about how God wants you to address something that is wrong.
Paul mentions Clement also in these first few verses of chapter four. Paul cared for those who worked with him and carried the same passion to reach others with the gospel. These other fellow workers have their names also written in the Book of Life.
21 Greet every [r]saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the [s]saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:21-23
Here is our conclusion to Philippians!
Greet every saint
The saints who are with me greet you
All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household
Paul includes every saint when he concludes Philippians. Including makes each one of us important and welcome. This especially relates to the church then and today. It hurts when people don’t feel welcome or included. In all that I have read of Paul and many of the New Testament authors, they cared about other saints in their church body. We need to take their example to heart and practice it ourselves in our own local church body and others we know in our community as well.
Yes, we must speak up... even if that means persecution, which is coming soon to America.
May we be "counted worthy to suffer for the Name" as were the apostles in Acts 5!
Maranatha, even so, come Lord Jesus!
❤️&🙏, c.a.
….give us wisdom to know when to speak, and when not to speak
…”let us be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath”. 🫢