If you could describe an ideal church, what sort of characteristics would you have in mind? In today’s text, Paul is speaking to the Philippians, but his advice would apply to any church that wants to grow and become effective in its ministry. In Phil. 4:1-9, Paul gives several instructions designed to improve church life. 

Be strong and get along (4:1-3)

The first three chapters of Philippians are among the most beautiful words written in scripture. Throughout these inspirational chapters, though, there is an undercurrent of concern. In 2:2, Paul urges the church to be “in full accord and of one mind” – which implies that they were not. In 2:14, he asks them to work together “without murmuring or arguing” – which implies that “murmuring and arguing” were par for the course. 

The reader begins to wonder if Paul was thinking of the church in general, or if he had someone particular in mind. In 4:2, he called out two well-known women and pleaded with them, asking them to get along (4:2). Perhaps they were representative of competing factions within the fellowship.

Euodia and Syntyche were apparently strong leaders in the church at Philippi, where women played important roles from the beginning. The church there was birthed after Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke visited with a Jewish women’s prayer group and explained to them the truth about Christ. Lydia, a successful merchant and new believer, then hosted the church in her home (Acts 16:11-15).

Euodia and Syntyche may have been a part of that prayer group and thus members of the church from its inception. “Euodia” means something like “good traveling” and “Syntyche” derives from a word meaning “coincidence” or “accident.” In a sense, their good traveling had been hampered by an accident. 

Paul recalls how Euodia and Syntyche had struggled beside him in the work of the gospel. He refers to them as coworkers, members of a team. He emphasizes his love and appreciation for them both. He has no desire to take sides in their dispute; but simply urges them to put their differences aside and to get along with each other.

The disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche must have been sharp, with each having supporters. It was apparently serious enough to threaten the life and health of the church. Everyone would have known about it. Perhaps the feud put others on edge or confused new believers. Anyone who has tried to worship in a church experiencing significant infighting understands how distracting it can be. 

We don’t know what the women disagreed about. Paul does not say, and he does not take sides. He doesn’t tell one of the women to accept the other’s point of view. Rather, he urges them both to “be of the same mind” as the Lord, reflecting his earlier call for the entire church to “let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (2:5).

This does not mean they had to agree on every point. In this context, “the same mind” means “the same attitude,” an attitude of humility and a willingness to give a little for the sake of the other.

The conflict was so significant that Paul called on a third party to help facilitate some kind of reconciliation. We don’t know who this person was: Paul speaks only of “my loyal companion.” Scholars have speculated that it might have been Epaphroditus, Luke, Lydia, Silas, Timothy, the pastor at Philippi, or even Paul’s wife, who is not mentioned elsewhere. Whoever Paul had in mind, his injunction reminds us that believers should not just stand by and watch a fight, but should do their best to encourage and work toward a resolution. [DD]

Rejoice and pray (4:4-7)

These four verses are among the most popular texts chosen as “memory verses,” for they promote the positive attributes of joy, confidence, and peace – things we’d all like to see in our churches. 

Surprisingly, Paul follows his statement of concern about divisiveness with a double rejoinder to rejoice. This suggests that Paul understood that “happiness” and “joy” are not the same thing. Not everything was smooth and easy in Philippi. Not everyone was happy with each other. Yet, Paul could encourage them to “rejoice in the Lord,” to celebrate Christ’s presence and their future hope in him. 

Paul then suggests three keys to experiencing such joy, beginning with a spirit of gentleness. The word epieikes is a beautiful Greek expression. It can be translated with words like “forbearance” (RSV) or “moderation” (KJV), but “gentleness” (NIV11, NRSV, NET2) says it best. The word describes an attitude of patient steadfastness that is able to endure even injustice or mistreatment without hatred or hostility.

Many of us suffer from past injuries to the heart and to our pride. Some wounds are slow to heal, and we may respond with anger and criticism, or with sulking moods and self-pity. Paul calls us to move past this natural reaction. We are not to wallow in victimhood, but to take on the entirely unnatural quality of a gentle spirit. We need God’s help to have that gentle spirit, but when we find it, we discover a sense of deep joy. 

To this Paul adds a note of perspective. Whether Paul had in mind Christ’s second coming or his constant presence through the Spirit, his comment that “the Lord is near” also challenges our behavior. Things that irritate us may not seem so important if we keep in mind the bigger picture. [DD]

Secondly, Paul notes that joy and worry don’t go together. “Do not worry about anything,” he said. Mad Magazine’s imaginary poster boy, Alfred E. Neuman, is famous for his motto: “What, me worry?” Bobby McFerrin gained fame with the song “Don’t Worry: Be Happy.” Fans of The Lion King enjoy hearing Timon and Pumba sing “Hakuna Matata,” meaning “No worries.” 

We like the notion of having no worries – but that doesn’t keep most of us from worrying. There is a place for concerns that lead us to action, but that is different from pointless anxiety over things we cannot control. [DD]

Recognizing this leads to Paul’s third key to joyful living: prayer. When we recognize there is nothing we can do, we turn it over to God. And, as we pray, we remember God’s past blessing with thanksgiving even as we express our present requests. 

The word Paul uses for “prayer” is a general term that reflects an attitude of prayerful reverence before God. The word for “supplications” is more specific – it speaks of special requests and particular concerns. 

Prayer opens the door to hopefulness, allowing us to pray specifically for those things we want to see changed. Prayer opens the door to acceptance, helping us to deal with those things we cannot change. Thus, prayer opens the door to peace, enabling us to trust the wisdom and the love of God who cares for us day by day. 

Paul wants us to exchange needless worry for faithful prayer, to follow the same course found in the old hymn’s admonition to “take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.” 

This kind of trusting attitude leads to a sense of peace that exceeds our understanding, Paul says, a sense of peace so strong that it can stand guard over the hearts and minds of believers. 

Does that sound hard? We should recall that Paul wrote these words from a prison cell, with Roman soldiers standing guard outside. That hardly seems to be a joyful or peaceful setting, but because Paul followed his own advice, he found joy and peace that surpasses human expectations. [DD]

Think and do (4:8-9)

Paul concludes his long list of admonitions with a return to the importance of thinking rightly (cf. 3:15), in consonance with Christ. He then lists eight things that are profitable subjects for Christian thinking, the first six are in the form of adjectives introduced by “whatever,” and the final two are nouns preceded by “if there is any.”

The six adjectives describe wholesome thinking from a variety of angles, as Paul holds up those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing (or lovely), and commendable. The two nouns are in the same vein, as Paul commends excellence and praise. The word translated “excellence” is not just a superlative. It can carry the particular sense of moral excellence (CSB) or virtue (KJV). 

Paul understood that our thought life guides our emotions and our actions. Instead of stewing over injustices, harboring grudges, or worrying about the future, Paul commends giving active, conscious thought to positive things – not just counting our blessings, but actively contemplating truth, justice, and virtue.

So, Paul turns from thinking (v. 8) to action in v. 9. He uses a present tense verb to stress continuous activity in urging the Philippians to “keep on doing” the things the things he had taught them by word and example: “what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” [DD]

The first three Sundays of Advent, in many traditions, focus on hope, peace, and joy. In today’s text, Paul offered needful advice in hopes that the Philippian believers could experience greater peace and joy. May we also find those amazing qualities of the heart and mind in this season.