ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS, Philippians 4, Saturday, September 13, 2025
Context for Chapter 4
After putting suffering and hardship into perspective in the previous three chapters, Paul now gives specific thanks to the Philippians for their support and generosity. Prior passages in this letter have explained concepts like humility and hope, as well as a focus on Christ. Positive attitudes, and beneficial thinking, are especially important. In this concluding section, Paul calls on the Philippians to act with ''reasonableness,'' especially as they handle disagreements within the church. Paul is confident that God will bless these faithful Christians for their generous support.
A Source: https://www.bibleref.com/Philippians/4/Philippians-chapter-4.html)
1. Words of Encouragement, Verses 1-9, KESHIA
4 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner,[b] to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
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2. Paul's Thanks For Their Gifts, Verses 10-17, MS. PAT
10 How I
praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always
been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was
ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I
know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the
secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or
empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do
everything through Christ,[d] who gives me
strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me
in my present difficulty. 15 As you
know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I
first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other
church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help
more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want
a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
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3. Paul's Final Greetings, Verses 18-23, DESTINY
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously
supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a
sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And
this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious
riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now
all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. 21 Give
my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The
brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And
all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in
Caesar’s household. 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit.[e]
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Confessions for Philippians, Chapter 4
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
Loving Father, thank You for Your gift of joy and for Your fruit of rejoicing. Help me to take all my thoughts captive... especially those doubts and imaginings that are prompted by the enemy to steal the heavenly gift of joy that is mine in Christ. Thank You, Father, that You are worthy of all my praise and that Your joy is a heavenly medicine and spiritual muscle that strengthens my trust and increases my love for You. May I never cease to rejoice in You all the days of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)
Father, You said in Your Word not to be anxious, but to pray instead about everything and to talk to You about anything we need. You told us also to have a thankful heart for all that You have done in our lives. Lord, we are coming to You this very moment to thank you for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. We also pray that You will help us to keep our minds fixed on Jesus, so that when any anxious imaginings may start to surface in our minds, that we may immediately turn our thoughts to You, and thank You for all that You have done for us and for the many promises that are all Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ. Thank You for being the God who listens to our heart's cry and the only God who answers our prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. (Philippians 4:10-11)
Heavenly Father, what a joy to recall how Paul rejoiced in You in every situation, and recognised Your hand of blessing through the gifts he received from others. Give me a grateful heart for those You use to supply my needs, and use me, I pray, to help provide for the needs of others, to Your praise and glory. Heavenly Father, thank You for this example of generous giving and of gracious receiving. I pray that I may be content in all things, whether I have much or little, but I also pray that You will prompt me to give of what I have when others are in need, not out of obligation but out of joy and out of love for You. Thank You that all good and perfect things come from You. May I be a good steward of all I have, and trust You for all I need. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
13 For I can do everything through Christ,[d] who gives me strength. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13,19)
Teach me, my Father, to look to Jesus each moment of the day for my strength and not to rely on my own imperfect, human abilities and intelligence, for without You I can do nothing. But thanks be to God that as I rest in Christ Jesus, He empowers me, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to carry out Your will for my life. Father, I confess that without You I can do nothing, but thanks be to God that I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me through the power of the Holy Spirit. Loving Father, I stand amazed at Your gracious bounty, knowing that You care about both the little things that I need today, as well as the eternal blessings that are being laid up for me in heaven, for which I praise Your holy name. To You be praise and glory forever. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Philippians/4
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