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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 4:1-9

The apostle begins the chapter with exhortations to divers Christian duties. I. To stedfastness in our Christian profession, Phil. 4:1. It is inferred from the close of the foregoing chapter: Therefore stand fast, etc. Seeing our conversation is in heaven, and we look for the Saviour to come thence and fetch us thither, therefore let us stand fast. Note, The believing hope and prospect of eternal life should engage us to be steady, even, and constant, in our Christian course. Observe here, 1.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 4:6-7

4:6-7 Do not worry about anything; but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all human thought, will stand sentinel over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the Philippians life was bound to be a worrying thing. Even to be a human being and so to be vulnerable to all the chances and the changes of this mortal life is in itself a worrying thing; and in the Early Church, to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God which passeth all understanding ,.... Not that peace which God calls his people to among themselves in their effectual calling; and which he requires of them to cultivate and maintain; and which he encourages in them by the promise of his gracious presence among them; and which indeed he is the author of, and therefore is so called, Colossians 3:15 ; and which may be said to surpass or exceed all speculative knowledge, and understanding; for the one puffs up and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God - That harmonizing of all passions and appetites which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and arises from a sense of pardon and the favor of God; Shall keep your hearts - Φρουρησει· Shall keep them as in a strong place or castle. Your hearts - the seat of all your affections and passions, and minds - your understanding, judgment, and conscience through Christ Jesus; by whom ye were brought into this state of favor, through whom ye are preserved in it, and in whom ye... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 4:7

Verse 7 7.And the peace of God Some, by turning the future tense into the optative mood, convert this statement into a prayer, but it is without proper foundation. For it is a promise in which he points out the advantage of a firm confidence in God, and invocation of him. “If you do that,” says he, “the peace of God will keep your minds and hearts.” Scripture is accustomed to divide the soul of man, as to its frailties, into two parts — the mind and the heart. The mind means the understanding,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:1-7

Various exhortations. I. STEADFASTNESS . "Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved." As in the first chapter our performing our duties as citizens is followed by the exhortation to stand fast, so here our possession of the privileges of heavenly citizens is more formally made the ground of the same exhortation. We are to stand fast so as has been pointed out, i.e. as heavenly citizens. There might be a standing fast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:1-9

The life of joy and peace. Celestial citizenship, "other-worldliness," as it has been called, should have a further issue than the expectation of the advent. It should have practical issues in a life of great peace and joy. It is, therefore, to such a life Paul calls his Philippian converts. Let us look at the interesting details. I. CELESTIAL CITIZENSHIP CALLS FOR UNITY AND COOPERATION IN THE WORK OF THE LORD . ( Philippians 4:1-3 .) Nothing is so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:4-7

The key-note of the Epistle: holy joy, with its blessed results. I. THE DUTY OF REJOICING . 1 . The Christian should learn to rejoice always. The word "always" is emphatic. There lies the difficulty, there too lies the blessedness, of rejoicing in the Lord. It is easy to rejoice in moments of excitement, but to rejoice always , in affliction, in pain, in weariness, in disappointment, is difficult indeed. St. Paul had learned the lesson which he teaches—he rejoiced in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

A cure for care. The apostle forbids harassing anxiety and enjoins prayerfulness as the sure way to peace. "Be anxious for nothing." Mark— I. THE WISE COUNSEL OF THE APOSTLE . 1 . This does not mean that we are not to be anxious about duty. We ought to have a deep concern for every interest of God's kingdom. A certain measure of anxious thought is necessary to the efficient performance of every duty of life. 2 . It means that we are not to be anxious about the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace. I. WHAT IT IS . God's own peace; that which he himself possesses. It is the peace which our Lord had and which he promised to his disciples: "My peace I give unto you." It is, therefore, no mere superficial freedom from external troubles, but a deep-seated harmony with God the Source of all peace. Thus it transcends human understanding and human expression. II. WHAT PREVENTS OUR POSSESSING IT ? Over-anxiety and worry. These are a kind of practical atheism,... read more

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