Philippians:4

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rwp @Philippians:4:1 @{Longed for } (\epipoth ˆtoi \). Late and rare verbal adjective (here alone in N .T .) from \epipothe “\. {Songs:stand fast } (\houto st ˆkete \). Present active imperative of \st ˆk “\ (late present from perfect \hest ˆka \ from \hist ˆmi \). See strkjv @1:27 |. They were tempted to defection . Standing firm is difficult when a panic starts . rwp @Philippians:4:2 @{Euodia } (\Euodian \). This name means literally "prosperous journey " (\eu , hodos \). It occurs in the inscriptions . {Syntyche } (\Suntuch ˆn \). From \suntugchan “\, to meet with and so "pleasant acquaintance " or "good-luck ." Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some . Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes , one a Jewish-Christian church , the other a Gentile-Christian church . Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi . Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance . "It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women " (Kennedy ). rwp @Philippians:4:3 @{True yokefellow } (\gn ˆsie sunzuge \). All sorts of suggestions have been made here , one that it was Lydia who is termed Paul 's wife by the word \sunzuge \. Unfortunately for that view \gn ˆsie \ is masculine vocative singular . Some have suggested it as a proper name though it is not found in the inscriptions , but the word does occur as an appellative in one . Lightfoot even proposes Epaphroditus , the bearer of the Epistle , certainly a curious turn to take to address him . After all it matters little that we do not know who the peacemaker was . {Help these women } (\sunlambanou autais \). Present middle imperative of \sunlamban “\, to seize (Matthew:26:55 |), to conceive (Luke:1:24 |), then to take hold together with one (associative instrumental case ), to help as here (Luke:5:7 |). "Take hold with them ." {They laboured with me } (\sun ˆthl ˆsan moi \). First aorist active indicative of \sunathle “\ (for which see strkjv @1:27 |) with associative instrumental case (\moi \). {With Clement also } (\meta kai Kl ˆmentos \). There is no evidence that he was Clement of Rome as the name is common . {In the book of life } (\en bibl “i z “ˆs \). The only instance of this expression in the N .T . outside of the Apocalypse (3:5 ; strkjv @13:8 ; strkjv @17:8 |, etc .). Hence real Christians in spite of their bickerings . rwp @Philippians:4:4 @{Again I will say } (\palin er “\). Future active indicative of defective verb \eipon \. {Rejoice } (\chairete \). Present active imperative as in strkjv @3:1 |, repeated for emphasis in spite of discouragements . Not in the sense of "Farewell " here . rwp @Philippians:4:5 @{Your forbearance } (\to epieikes hum “n \). "Your gentleness ," "your sweet reasonableness " (Matthew Arnold ), "your moderation ." Old adjective (\epi , eikos \) as in strkjv @James:3:17 ; strkjv @1Timothy:3:3 |. Article and neuter singular here = \h ˆ epieikeia \ (Acts:24:4 ; strkjv @2Corinthians:10:1 |) like to \chr ˆston \ in strkjv @Romans:2:4 |. {The Lord is at hand } (\ho kurios eggus \). "The Apostle 's watchword " (Lightfoot ), as in strkjv @1Corinthians:16:22 | (\Maran atha \, Aramaic equivalent , Our Lord cometh ). Unless , indeed , \eggus \ here means near in space instead of {nigh } in time . rwp @Philippians:4:6 @{In nothing be anxious } (\m ˆden merimn ƒte \). Present imperative in prohibition , "stop being anxious ." See \m ˆ merimn ƒte \ in strkjv @Matthew:6:31 |. {With thanksgiving } (\meta eucharistias \). In all the forms of prayer here named thanksgiving should appear . rwp @Philippians:4:7 @{The peace of God } (\h ˆ eir ˆn ˆ tou theou \). See in strkjv @2Thessalonians:3:16 | "the Lord of peace " (\ho Kurios t ˆs eir ˆn ˆs \) and verse 9 | for "the God of peace " (\ho theos t ˆs eir ˆn ˆs \). {Shall guard } (\phrour ˆsei \). "Shall garrison ," future active indicative of \phroure “\, old verb from \phrouros \ (\pro-horos , proora “\, to see before , to look out ). See strkjv @Acts:9:24 ; strkjv @2Corinthians:11:32 |. God 's peace as a sentinel mounts guard over our lives as Tennyson so beautifully pictures Love as doing . rwp @Philippians:4:8 @{Finally } (\to loipon \). See on ¯3:1 |. {Whatsoever } (\hosa \). Thus he introduces six adjectives picturing Christian ideals , old-fashioned and familiar words not necessarily from any philosophic list of moral excellencies Stoic or otherwise . Without these no ideals can exist . They are pertinent now when so much filth is flaunted before the world in books , magazines and moving-pictures under the name of realism (the slime of the gutter and the cess-pool ). {Honourable } (\semna \). Old word from \seb “\, to worship , revere . Songs:revered , venerated (1Timothy:3:8 |). {Pure } (\hagna \). Old word for all sorts of purity . There are clean things , thoughts , words , deeds . {Lovely } (\prosphil ˆ\). Old word , here only in N .T ., from \pros \ and \phile “\, pleasing , winsome . {Of good report } (\euph ˆma \. Old word , only here in N .T ., from \eu \ and \ph ˆm ˆ\, fair-speaking , attractive . {If there be any } (\ei tis \). Paul changes the construction from \hosa \ (whatsoever ) to a condition of the first class , as in strkjv @2:1 |, with two substantives . {Virtue } (\aret ˆ\). Old word , possibly from \aresk “\, to please , used very often in a variety of senses by the ancients for any mental excellence or moral quality or physical power . Its very vagueness perhaps explains its rarity in the N .T ., only four times (Phillipians:4:8 ; strkjv @1Peter:2:9 ; strkjv @2Peter:1:3 ,5 |). It is common in the papyri , but probably Paul is using it in the sense found in the LXX (Isaiah:42:12 ; strkjv @43:21 |) of God 's splendour and might (Deissmann , _Bible Studies_ , p . 95 ) in connection with "praise " (\epainos \) as here or even meaning praise . {Think on these things } (\tauta logizesthe \). Present middle imperative for habit of thought . We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals . rwp @Philippians:4:9 @{In me } (\en emoi \). Paul dares to point to his life in Philippi as an illustration of this high thinking . The preacher is the interpreter of the spiritual life and should be an example of it . {These things do } (\tauta prassete \). Practise as a habit (\prass “\, not \poie “\). rwp @Philippians:4:10 @{I rejoice } (\echar ˆn \). Second aorist passive indicative of \chair “\, a timeless aorist . I did rejoice , I do rejoice . {Greatly } (\megal “s \). Old adverb , only here in N .T ., from \megas \ (great ). {Now at length } (\ˆd ˆ pote \). In N .T . only here and strkjv @Romans:1:10 |. \Pote \ is indefinite past (interval ), \ˆd ˆ\ immediate present . {Ye have revived } (\anethalete \). Second aorist active indicative of old poetic word (Homer ), \anathall “\, to sprout again , to shoot up , to blossom again . Songs:in the LXX five times , though rare and literary word . {Your thought for me } (\to huper emou phronein \). Accusative case of the articular present active infinitive the object of \anethalete \ used transitively . "You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh ." {Wherein } (\eph ' h “i \). "In which ," "upon which " (locative case ). A loose reference to Paul 's interests as involved in their thinking of him . {Ye did indeed take thought } (\kai ephroneite \). Imperfect active , "ye were also (or had been also ) thinking ." {Ye lacked opportunity } (\ˆkaireisthe \). Imperfect middle of \akaireomai \, late and rare word , here only in N .T ., from \akairos \ (\a \ privative , \kairos \), not to have a chance , the opposite of \eukaire “\ (Mark:6:31 |). rwp @Philippians:4:11 @{In respect of want } (\kath ' huster ˆsin \). Late and rare word from \hustere “\, to be behind or too late , only here and strkjv @Mark:12:44 | in N .T . {I have learned } (\emathon \). Simply , "I did learn " (constative second aorist active indicative of \manthan “\, to learn , looking at his long experience as a unit . {In whatsoever state I am } (\en hois eimi \). "In what things (circumstances ) I am ." {To be content } (\autark ˆs einai \). Predicate nominative with the infinitive of the old adjective \autark ˆs \ (from \autos \ and \arke “\, to be self-sufficient ), self-sufficing . Favourite word with the Stoics , only here in N .T ., though \autarkeia \ occurs in strkjv @2Corinthians:9:8 ; strkjv @1Timothy:6:6 |. Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago . Socrates said as to who is wealthiest : "He that is content with least , for \autarkeia \ is nature 's wealth ." rwp @Philippians:4:12 @{I know how } (\oida \). Followed by the infinitive \oida \ has this sense . Songs:here twice , with \tapeinousthai \, to be humbled , from \tapeinos \, and with \perisseuein \, to overflow . {Have I learned the secret } (\memu ˆmai \). Perfect passive indicative of \mue “\, old and common word from \mu “\, to close (Latin _mutus_ ), and so to initiate with secret rites , here only in N .T . The common word \must ˆrion \ (mystery ) is from \must ˆs \ (one initiated ) and this from \mue “\, to initiate , to instruct in secrets . Paul draws this metaphor from the initiatory rites of the pagan mystery-religions . {To be filled } (\chortazesthai \). Old verb from \chortos \ (grass , hay ) and so to fatten like an animal . {To be hungry } (\pein ƒin \). Old verb from \peina \ (hunger ) and kin to \pen ˆs \, poor man who has to work for his living (\penomai \). rwp @Philippians:4:13 @{I can do all things } (\panta ischu “\). Old verb to have strength (\ischus \). {In him that strengtheneth me } (\en t “i endunamounti me \). Late and rare verb (in LXX ) from adjective \endunamos \ (\en , dunamis \). Causative verb to empower , to pour power into one . See same phrase in strkjv @1Timothy:1:12 | \t “i endunam “santi me \ (aorist tense here ). Paul has such strength so long as Jesus keeps on putting power (\dunamis \) into him . rwp @Philippians:4:14 @{That ye had fellowship } (\sunkoin “n ˆsantes \). First aorist active participle (simultaneous action with the principal verb \kal “s epoi ˆsate \). "Ye did well contributing for my affliction ." rwp @Philippians:4:15 @{In the beginning of the gospel } (\en arch ˆi tou euaggeliou \). After he had wrought in Philippi (2Thessalonians:2:13 |). {Had fellowship } (\ekoin “n ˆsen \). "Had partnership " (first aorist active indicative ). {In the matter } (\eis logon \). "As to an account ." No other church opened an account with Paul . {Of giving and receiving } (\dose “s kai l ˆmpse “s \). Credit and debit . A mercantile metaphor repeated in verse 17 | by \eis logon hum “n \ (to your account ). Paul had to keep books then with no other church , though later Thessalonica and Beroea joined Philippi in support of Paul 's work in Corinth (2Corinthians:11:8f .|). {But ye only } (\ei m ˆ humeis monoi \). Not even Antioch contributed anything but good wishes and prayers for Paul 's work (Acts:13:1-3 |). rwp @Philippians:4:16 @{Once and again } (\kai hapax kai dis \). "Both once and twice " they did it "even in Thessalonica " and so before Paul went to Corinth ." See the same Greek idiom in strkjv @1Thessalonians:2:18 |. rwp @Philippians:4:17 @{I seek for } (\epiz ˆt “\). Old verb , in N .T . only here and strkjv @Romans:11:7 | (linear present , I am seeking for ). Lightfoot calls it "the Apostle 's nervous anxiety to clear himself " of wanting more gifts . Why not say his delicate courtesy ? rwp @Philippians:4:18 @{I have all things } (\apech “ panta \). As a receipt in full in appreciation of their kindness . \Apech “\ is common in the papyri and the ostraca for "receipt in full " (Deissmann , _Bible Studies_ , p . 110 ). See strkjv @Matthew:6:2 ,5 ,16 |. {I am filled } (\pepl ˆr “mai \). Perfect passive indicative of \pl ˆro “\. "Classical Greek would hardly use the word in this personal sense " (Kennedy ). {An odour of a sweet smell } (\osm ˆn eu “dias \). \Osm ˆ\, old word from \oz “\, to smell . \Eu “dia \, old word from \eu \ and \oz “\. In strkjv @Ephesians:5:2 | both words come together as here and in strkjv @2Corinthians:2:15 | we have \eu “dia \ (only other N .T . example ) and in verse strkjv @2Corinthians:2:16 | \osm ˆ\ twice . \Eu “dias \ here is genitive of quality . {Sacrifice } (\thusian \). Not the act , but the offering as in strkjv @Romans:12:1 |. {Well-pleasing } (\euareston \). As in strkjv @Romans:12:1 |. rwp @Philippians:4:19 @{According to his riches in glory } (\kata to ploutos autou en dox ˆi \). God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul . The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it . rwp @Philippians:4:20 @{The glory } (\h ˆ doxa \). "The doxology flows out of the joy of the whole epistle " (Bengel ). rwp @Philippians:4:21 @{They that are of Caesar 's household } (\hoi ek t ˆs Kaisaros oikias \). Not members of the imperial family , but some connected with the imperial establishment . The term can apply to slaves and freedmen and even to the highest functionaries . Christianity has begun to undermine the throne of the Caesars . Some day a Christian will sit on this throne . The gospel works upward from the lower classes . lt was so at Corinth and in Rome . It is true today . It is doubtful if Nero had yet heard of Paul for his case may have been dismissed by lapse of time . But this obscure prisoner who has planted the gospel in Caesar 's household has won more eternal fame and power than all the Caesars combined . Nero will commit suicide shortly after Paul has been executed . Nero 's star went down and Paul 's rose and rises still .

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