Philippians:4

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* Verse 1 - The believing hope and prospect of eternal life , should make us steady and constant in our Christian course . There is difference of gifts and graces , yet , being renewed by the same Spirit , we are brethren . To stand fast in the Lord , is to stand fast in his strength , and by his grace . * Verse 2-9 - Let believers be of one mind , and ready to help each other . As the apostle had found the benefit of their assistance , he knew how comfortable it would be to his fellow-labourers to have the help of others . Let us seek to give assurance that our names are written in the book of life . Joy in God is of great consequence in the Christian life ; and Christians need to be again and again called to it . It more than outweighs all causes for sorrow . Let their enemies perceive how moderate they were as to outward things , and how composedly they suffered loss and hardships . The day of judgment will soon arrive , with full redemption to believers , and destruction to ungodly men . There is a care of diligence which is our duty , and agrees with a wise forecast and due concern ; but there is a care of fear and distrust , which is sin and folly , and only perplexes and distracts the mind . As a remedy against perplexing care , constant prayer is recommended . Not only stated times for prayer , but in every thing by prayer . We must join thanksgivings with prayers and supplications ; not only seek supplies of good , but own the mercies we have received . God needs not to be told our wants or desires ; he knows them better than we do ; but he will have us show that we value the mercy , and feel our dependence on him . The peace of God , the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God , and having a part in his favour , and the hope of the heavenly blessedness , are a greater good than can be fully expressed . This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus ; it will keep us from sinning under troubles , and from sinking under them ; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction . Believers are to get and to keep a good name ; a name for good things with God and good men . We should walk in all the ways of virtue , and abide therein ; then , whether our praise is of men or not , it will be of God . The apostle is for an example . His doctrine and life agreed together . The way to have the God of peace with us , is to keep close to our duty . All our privileges and salvation arise in the free mercy of God ; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct . These are works of God , pertaining to God , and to him only are they to be ascribed , and to no other , neither men , words , nor deeds . * Verse 10-19 - It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble . The nature of true Christian sympathy , is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles , but to do what we can to help them . The apostle was often in bonds , imprisonments , and necessities ; but in all , he learned to be content , to bring his mind to his condition , and make the best of it . Pride , unbelief , vain hankering after something we have not got , and fickle disrelish of present things , make men discontented even under favourable circumstances . Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased ; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted . It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always . And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God , nor distrust his providence , nor take any wrong course for our own supply . In a prosperous condition not to be proud , or secure , or worldly . This is a harder lesson than the other ; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want . The apostle had no design to urge them to give more , but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter . Through Christ we have grace to do what is good , and through him we must expect the reward ; and as we have all things by him , let us do all things for him , and to his glory . * Verse 20-23 - The apostle ends with praises to God . We should look upon God , under all our weakness and fears , not as an enemy , but as a Father , disposed to pity us and help us . We must give glory to God as a Father . God 's grace and favour , which reconciled souls enjoy , with the whole of the graces in us , which flow from it , are all purchased for us by Christ 's merit , and applied by his pleading for us ; and therefore are justly called the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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