Philippians 4: 1-9: The God of Peace

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paradox3

paradox3

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Bible Gateway passage: Philippians 4:1-9 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Exhortations - I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have...
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Two women who can't agree in the Lord set the stage for this week's epistle lesson.

The source of their conflict is not named. But it seems serious. The letter is written to a dear companion (not identified), asking for assistance. Euodia and Syntyche have struggled in their ministry along with Paul, Clement and others.

But Paul has some ideas!

Rejoice in the Lord always and show others your gentleness, he advises.

Don't be anxious. Through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds.

Finally, think about what is true, just and worthy of respect. Whatever is pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

Look to Paul himself as good example, he adds.

And the God of peace will be with you.
 
If there was ever a time the earth needed a God of peace, surely it is now. If only the militants of the world could rejoice in the Lord and show their gentleness!

Sounds a tad simplistic, doesn't it?

This passage reminds me of lessons from other traditions which tell us we create reality with our thoughts.

I chuckled a bit at Paul offering himself as an exemplar of living this all out.
 
Who can pander with such things when the goal is none other than winning ... thus I condescend ... bottom lion ... creepy kitty! Thoms down ...
 
paradox3 said:
If there was ever a time the earth needed a God of peace, surely it is now. If only the militants of the world could rejoice in the Lord and show their gentleness!

Sounds a tad simplistic, doesn't it?

This passage reminds me of lessons from other traditions which tell us we create reality with our thoughts.

I chuckled a bit at Paul offering himself as an exemplar of living this all out.
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We do not recognize that peace come in bits ... and something in the thinking as we are impressed with winning ... early on in the dark game of life ... fateful?

Expect corruptions due to opposing thoughts ... the competition continues ... with implications that may dwarf tyrannical bother ... thus global folly ... isn't that stupid? The entire thing ...goes down in history that is presently ignored ... as another thread declared: "when will we ever learn?"

Delicate networks ... mostly out of sight! Virtue item ... unbelievable in mass ... vaporous ...
 
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Seems to me it is addressing peace within the community moreso than peace in the world. Perhaps a reading ministers need to be trotting out when things get heated on some congregational issue or other. :giggle:

It would be interesting to know what the two women were in a dispute over, though. Something big like a point of doctrine? Or just an administrative matter like who is preaching or who is providing bread for the next communion? The latter is likely easier to sort out (not easy, or so I have seen in some congregations, just easier). And how was their conflict affecting the community? Were others taking sides or was it just them with everyone else in the group kind of going, "sort it out between you, please."

It then leads into an exhortation to "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." So basically think about what is good in God's eyes and you'll have peace, or something like that. As you said, seems simplistic to expect that this would resolve the situation. Someone sitting down with them to talk it out, with this spirit in mind, would accomplish more. And maybe that's implied here?

First thoughts. I will chime in again as more come to mind.
 
Agreed that Paul was addressing a local situation and I, too, would like more details. Yes indeed. What were the two women arguing about? And what was the nature of the struggle that Paul himself, Clement and others were experiencing?

All the same, I think the principles of peace might be similar on a large scale.
 
paradox3 said:
And what was the nature of the struggle that Paul himself, Clement and others were experiencing?
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The struggle over whether to require Gentile converts had to follow the law and be circumcized? Or had that been settled by the time of Philippians? I know that was a big one in Paul's time. And, really, in Christian history as a whole. The decision to allow Gentiles to join the church without adopting the Jewish law was really the breaking point where Christianity moves away from being a Jewish sect like the Essenes.
 
Sure would be interesting to know if they were having a major theological dispute or arguing over a trivial matter.
 
paradox3 said:
Sure would be interesting to know if they were having a major theological dispute or arguing over a trivial matter.
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Based on my church experiences, it's 50:50 odds, too. I have seen church (and other) meetings melt down over some pretty silly stuff. Human beings seem to get very attached to the smallest things.

And maybe that's part of Paul's point. There's a bigger picture here and getting aligned with that leads to "God's peace" whether your conflicts are over the nature of the Trinity or who should be circumcised or who is responsible for washing the wine cups after communion.
 
Does Paul's advice apply equally to the major theological disputes and to the trivial matters?
 
paradox3 said:
Does Paul's advice apply equally to the major theological disputes and to the trivial matters?
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One would hope so, eh. Just because one might require a lot more effort to solve doesn't mean "God's peace" isn't needed.
 
If the Gods of War looked at peace lovers ... would those mute about war efforts be considered demons by the war mongers?

Paul Harvey would dig to see what the other side of the story did in the flip! Perhaps they would become negative extre*mists!

Thus we must play misty again ...
 
What does everyone think about this peace which passes understanding?

I remember singing about it around the campfire at CGIT camp.

Apparently the Philippians reference is the only one in scripture.
 
We mist it while drifting off thro' misty space ... giving rise to perhaps she should paly it again since the first shot at leading was flawed ... and Psyche is in deep space!

There is a rumor that the US is taking a shot at Psyche, presumed to be a piece of heavy metal out there! The scientists say they hope they're wrong so they will have further questions to answer as time flies by ... is wrong humbling and an indication of coverings ... primarily facetious? Even Dante supported a masque ...
 
paradox3 said:
I remember singing about it around the campfire at CGIT camp.
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I remember the same from Sunday School. I think the CGIT crew even led it in church sometimes. Needless to say, I was not in CGIT myself.

paradox3 said:
The passage reminds me of the indigenous story of the two wolves within us. One represents good & the other evil and they battle it out.

"Which one wins?" you might ask.

The one you feed, of course.
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I have a feeling I first heard that story either here or on WC Classic. It's a good parable/allegory.

What does it mean for the peace of God to "surpass all understanding"? That it is not a rational thing but something that needs to be felt. Or so I would read it. Which is kind of a classic philosophical agnostic position. You can't rationalize your way to faith/belief in something metaphysical like God, you have to experience and feel it.
 
@Mendalla
Yes, I would agree about the peace that passes understanding. It would seem to be a matter of the heart/ spirit rather than the intellect.
 
Mendalla said:
What does it mean for the peace of God to "surpass all understanding"?
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It means that people who's Faith --Trust and Agape is grounded and rooted in Jesus have an avenue to having their hearts and mind guarded against anxiety and worry when they come to God in Prayer and Thanksgiving in a bad or a crisis situation ------

But here is the thing ----most Born Again people will not master having this kind of peace in their life all the time as most true Christians will remain in their Carnal state till they die -----and their Faith will waver when presented with a bad or crisis situation in their lives

The 12 Disciples are a perfect example of this ---they were with Jesus and their Faith and Trust was not Grounded and Rooted in Him----their faith wavered a great deal and to experience this Supernatural and Unexplainable Peace ---your Faith and Trust has to be deeply rooted in Christ so your Peace remains steadfast no matter what is going on around you ------

Paul and Silas in prison is a good example of people who were able to maintain this peace ---and feel joy in their dilemma -----

From google
The apostle Paul and Silas were in Philippi where they found themselves facing persecution due to casting out a demon in the name of Jesus. While they were in prison, they were praying and worshipping God. So, despite being in prison, Paul and Silas knew that God was the source of peace and deserving of their worship.
 
Hi @unsafe
A really interesting thing is that this passage offers no promises that those requests we take to God in prayer will be granted.

We are to approach God with thanksgiving in making our requests. Surely gratitude must be an important part of the lesson here.

The assurance is that the peace that passes understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Somehow the peace of God is protective, it seems.
 
I think that I feel/have felt that peace when lying in the arms of someone I loved very deeply. I have buried two of them, have tentatively found the third. Soul feels nourished, time stands still, no talking is involved.
 
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