Matthew Henry's Concise
Commentary on the Epistle
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
Various Exhortations. A. D. 62.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your
moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
The apostle begins the chapter with exhortations to divers Christian
duties...
III. He exhorts to holy joy and delight in God: Rejoice in
the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice, v. 4. All our joy must terminate
in God; and our thoughts of God must be delightful thoughts. Delight thyself
in the Lord (Ps. xxxvii. 4), in the multitude of our thoughts within us
(grievous and afflicting thoughts) his comforts delight our souls (Ps.
xciv. 19), and our meditation of him is sweet, Ps. civ. 34. Observe, It
is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him always;
at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for him, or are afflicted
by him. We must not think the worse of him or of his ways for the hardships
we meet with in his service. There is enough in God to furnish us with
matter of joy in the worst circumstance on earth. He had said it before
(ch. iii. 1): Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Here he says it
again, Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice. Joy in God
is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need
to be again and again called to it. If good men have not a continual feast,
it is their own fault.
IV. We are here exhorted to candour and gentleness, and good temper
towards our brethren: "Let your moderation be known to all men,
v. 5. In things indifferent do not run into extremes; avoid bigotry
and animosity; judge charitably concerning one another." The word to epieikes
signifies a good disposition towards other men; and this moderation is
explained, Rom. xiv. Some understand it of the patient bearing of afflictions,
or the sober enjoyment of worldly good; and so it well agrees with the
following verse. The reason is, the Lord is at hand. The consideration
of our Master's approach, and our final account, should keep us from smiting
our fellow-servants, support us under present sufferings, and moderate
our affections to outward good. "He will take vengeance on your enemies,
and reward your patience."
V. Here is a caution against disquieting perplexing care (v. 6):
Be careful for nothing--meden merimnate: the same expression with
that Matt. vi. 25, Take no thought for your life; that is, avoid anxious
care and distracting thought in the wants and difficulties of life. Observe,
It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care. There is
a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast
and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which is
our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind. "Be
careful for nothing, so as by your care to distrust God, and unfit yourselves
for his service."
VI. As a sovereign antidote against perplexing care he recommends
to us constant prayer: In every thing by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Observe,
1. We must not only keep up stated times for prayer, but we must pray upon
every particular emergency: In every thing by prayer. When any thing burdens
our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when our affairs are perplexed
or distressed, we must seek direction and support. 2. We must join thanksgiving
with our prayers and supplications. We must not only seek supplies of good,
but own receipts of mercy. Grateful acknowledgments of what we have argue
a right disposition of mind, and are prevailing motives for further blessings.
3. Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, or making them known
to him: Let your requests be made known to God. Not that God needs to be
told either our wants or desires; for he knows them better than we can
tell him: but he will know them from us, and have us show our regards and
concern, express our value of the mercy and sense of our dependence on
him. 4. The effect of this will be the peace of God keeping our hearts,
v. 7. The peace of God, that is, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation
to God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness,
and enjoyment of God hereafter, which passeth all understanding, is a great
good than can be sufficiently valued or duly expressed. It has not entered
into the heart of ham, 1 Cor. ii. 9. This peace will keep our hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under our troubles,
and from sinking under them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure
of passion, and with inward satisfaction. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace whose mind is stayed on thee, Isa. xxvi. 3.
