Philippians 4 ~ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

University of Michigan owns Papyrus 46. Dated late first or early 2nd Century. These two pages are Philippians 4. Easy to read. Very probably the Disciple John was still alive. The Bible is truth. http://earlybible.com/manuscripts/p46.html

Philippians 4

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.


4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.





8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.


21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.


23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



We know this passage. We know the verse well, "I can do all things in God , Who strengthens me."

James wrote many times not to show partiality to rich or poor. And here is Paul traveling all over. Speaking to the lame and the blind. And in verse 22 we find Paul has met many, many saint - even in the Household of Caesar.


The letter is placed about 62 AD, about 10 years after Paul's first visit to Philippi. A Caesarean imprisonment (Acts 23-26). Caesar would be - Nerō Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Generally, this would not be where Christians would seek employment. And to be this high up - would lead to the death of Paul. Emperor Nero, allowed the Jews back into Rome, but then, after the Great Fire of Rome of 64, Christians were persecuted.


How is Paul doing, being in the Lion's Den - Caesar's Household ?

• Stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved
•  
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
•  
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
•  
• The God of peace will be with you.
•  
• The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
•  
• The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul writes of the beloved of Jesus, in the Holy Spirit:

Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul did have anxieties sometimes. And God would not have us apart from the rest of mankind. Paul is saying God has enabled him to walk the Plan and Path God has chosen for Paul. Just as God would do this for us as we walk in His Plan and Path.


Why would Paul do this?

God has shown Paul His Love.

Colossians 2:14
By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Astonishing to be at peace in what Paul calls Caesar's Household.

2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.



Abba,

You promise us life. And tell us in Ephesians families live in Heaven together. Generations.

Because You've given us faith, He gave us the Right to become Children of God. So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Eternal Life - the kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, with Love. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Father, You know we are not asked to do Good Works every day. And yet we can. We are invited to pray.

Father God, Catholic priests tell us Catholics routinely pray to end well. To have death as a friend and not a worry, a lingering suffering. We pray preemptively for good health and to live abundantly healthily during our days. Loving good health. Saying thank You for times of rest. Asking for health for Paul, Diane, Edward, myself for ears and sinuses.

Giving thanks for my mom's and Jackson's health. For the pleasant passing of my cat. For the blessing of having people to love each day. For the elderly we pray for each day. For the Nation and the up building of marriages, family, Churches, our Nation and the entire the Body of Christ world wide.

We come to You, Father, in prayer it is not that I have already taken hold of faith, or have already attained perfect faith abilities, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess Christ Jesus, since Christ Jesus dwells in my soul. In God's blessing and forgiveness, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, to God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus , we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †