The Girl Next Door ☎︎: My Favorite Verse

My Quiet Place

My Favorite Verse

I was recently reminded of my favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:4-9. I have clung to this passage many times since I was a little girl. In honor of how much this verse means to me, I decided to tear it apart verse by verse, word by word. Just by writing down observations, I have learned so much! I also learned a lot through a new Bible Study website and app called Blue Letter Bible . I encourage you to check it out!

{ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 Andthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9}

Historical Background:

❤︎ The Author

Paul is the author of the letter (1:1).
Timothy also helped write the letter (1:1).
Paul and Timothy are both servants of Christ Jesus (1:1).
Paul is in constant prayer for the Philippians (1:3).
Paul is writing from prison (1:12-13).

❤︎ The Recipients

Believers are receiving Paul’s letter (1:1).
Paul is writing to the Church of Philippi (1:1).
Bishops of the church received this letter (1:1).
Ministers of the church received this letter (1:1).
The recipients are struggling with problems within the church (1:15-16).

❤︎ The Setting

Paul is writing from a prison (1:12-13).
Epaphroditus is on his way to the church (2:25-30).
The church sent gifts to Paul (4:18).
There are people preaching the Gospel with the wrong motive (1:17).

❤︎ The Themes

The letter has the theme of encouragement (1:9-11)
The letter has the theme of joy in the Lord (4:4).
Therefore, the letter has the theme of joy even in adversity (1:20, 3:7).
The letter has the theme of Christ-likeness (3:13, 2:12).

❤︎ The Purpose

The purpose of the letter is to encourage the church (1:6-11, 2:2-9)
Paul writes to to inform the church (1:12-18).
Paul writes to instruct the church (4:4-9, 1:17-30).
Paul writes to warn the church of evildoers (3:2).
Paul writes to thank the Philippians (4:14-18).

❤︎ The Tone

Paul writes with a thankful tone (4:14-18)
Paul writes prayerfully (1:3-11).
Paul writes with confidence/hope (1:20-21, 2:23-24),
Paul instructs tenderly (2:12-18, 4:1-9).

Observations:

❤︎ Philippians 4:4

God wants me to rejoice in Him at all the times.
I can always find joy in the Lord.
God wants me to only rejoice in Him.
Paul considers this command important because he repeats the command.
Rejoicing in the Lord is different than rejoicing in general.
Even while in prison, Paul teaches on joy.
Joy in the Lord is not dependent on emotions.
Joy in the Lord is not dependent on situations.

❤︎ Philippians 4:5

Paul commands that the church be gentle with everyone.
Paul says they must be gentle with situations.
Paul says their gentleness should be external.
Paul says their gentleness must be internal.
Paul reminds the church that the Lord is coming soon.
Because the Lord is coming, Paul says they must prepare my heart with gentleness.
Gentleness should not be hidden, but flown out of the heart.
Paul says the church must not concern themselves with unimportant things.

❤︎ Philippians 4:6

Paul says do not dwell on things in the future.
Paul says not worry about anything.
In everything man does, they should pray to God.
In everything man does, they should ask God.
In everything man does, they should give thanks to God.
In everything man does, they should tell God what may be tempted to worry about.
In everything man does, they should tell God their worries.
The proper response to worry is prayer and thanksgiving.

❤︎ Philippians 4:7

We will never fully understand God’s peace.
God’s peace is different from man’s peace.
God’s peace prevents anxiety.
God’s peace affects us emotionally.
God’s peace is rooted in Christ Jesus alone.
We will always have God’s peace.
God’s peace will ALWAYS protect us.
God’s peace is supernatural.
God’s peace helps us focus on Him not circumstances.
God’s peace is unconditional.

❤︎ Philippians 4:8

This is Paul’s last instruction.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is accordance with fact and reality.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is deserving of respect.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is right and fair.
God wants us to dwell on everything that has no fault or lust.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is appealing to the emotions.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is admirable.
God wants us to dwell on everything that is of good quality.
God wants us to dwell on Him because He is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

❤︎ Philippians 4:9

God’s peace will be with the Church if they do what Paul teaches and does.
The church has learned from Paul.
The church has received truth from Paul.
The church has heard truth from Paul.
The church has seen truth in Paul.
Paul is a godly example that everyone can follow.
Following Paul’s example takes practice.
God Himself will be with the Church if they obey Paul.

Key Words:

❤︎ Rejoice (4:4): Greek χαίρω [chairo /khah·ee·ro/]

Definition: It means to be glad, be delighted, but is a matter of more than mood. Joy is in the Lord. Joy is not just preliminary joy. It is a reference to the future experienced as joy in the present. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the word chairo in Philippians 4:4 to command the church to delight in the Lord and find their joy in him.

Reasoning: The church may have been looking to other things for satisfaction. Paul reminds them that only Jesus can bring them a joy that lasts because they will be with Him forever and share in the inheritance of the saints.

❤︎ Always (4:4): Greek πάντοτε [pantote /pan·tot·eh/]

Definition: It is used as a duration of time with reference to a series of occasions. (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul usus pantote to explain that the church must rejoice in the Lord multiple times a day.

Reasoning: Paul uses this word to emphasis the church’s need to find their joy in Christ at every moment of the day, not just when they feel happy or when things are going horribly. Joy in the Lord is not dependent on circumstance. It is a continuous blessing Christians can always receive.

❤︎ Moderation (4:5): Greek ἐπιεικής [epieikes /ep·ee·i·kace/]

Usage: Pantote is to be displayed towards all men in spite of every persecution. Faith in the hidden, heavenly plenitude of light and power and life produces a saving gentleness. It is the earthly counterpart of the heavenly glory. Hence it is not weakness or sentimentality. It is the earthly outworking of an eschatological possession. (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the word epieikes to tell the church to be gentle and fair with everyone even during hard times. This gentless comes only in response to God’s salvation and power.

Reasoning: Paul must consider gentleness to be highly important as he uses it in light of the Lord’s quick return. Bestowing moderation to all men gives people a glimpse of the heaven to come.

❤︎ Known (4:5)- Greek γινώσκω [ginosko /ghin·oce·ko/]

Usage: It can mean “to learn” (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses ginosko to explain that the church needs to let their moderation be understood by everyone so that everyone may learn the depths and importance of it.

Reasoning: The motivation behind moderation should be so that others may learn what it means to be gentle to all. Not only must moderation be observed in the church by others, but others must increase in knowledge of this trait.

❤︎ Hand (4:5)- Greek ἐγγύς [eggus /eng·goos/]

Usage: Used to express hope of the imminence of the coming world. (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses eggus to remind the church that the time of Christ’s return is near; therefore this should instil within them a sense of urgency to be moderate unto all men. It also gives the church hope that Christ will soon set all things right and gentleness will no longer be a struggle.

Reasoning: Paul emphasizes the importance of gentleness because the Lord will soon return. The church’s lives must be lived in light of the possibility that Christ could return within the hour.

❤︎ Anxious (4:6)- Greek μεριμνάω [merimnao /mer·im·nah·o/]

Usage: Used when describing concerned. The man who prays attains a certain aloofness from his wishes when he puts them before God. (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul use merimnao in order to request that church do not overly care for things that are in God’s hands.

Reasoning: This word covers a multitude of thoughts whether it be concern, worry, or anticipation. When problems consume the man’s mind, it leaves little room for God. Anxiety is an opportunity to turn over issues to the All-Powerful and watch Him work.

❤︎ Supplication (4:6)- Greek δέησις [deesis /deh·ay·sis/]

Usage: Used in the sense of asking or seeking. (TDNT)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses deesis as an alternative to worry. He urges the church to present their cares to the Lord and ask Him to care for them.

Reasoning: Because the church is constantly worrying, they are in want of things. They desire situations to be fixed. Paul urges the church to want God to fix them. Seek the Lord instead of dwelling on the problem.

❤︎ Thanksgiving (4:6)- Greek εὐχαριστία [eucharistia /yoo·khar·is·tee·ah/]

Usage: Used as the proper mode of eschatological vigilance. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Abridged)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the term eucharistia to explain that prayer and supplication must be accompanied with praise to God.

Reasoning: Supplication should not be the only aspect of prayer. Praise to God for what He has and will do is more important. Paul instructs the Church to acknowledge God for who He so they can see their cares in the right perspective.

❤︎ Passeth (4:7)- Greek ὑπερέχω [hyperechō ]

Usage: It is used to mean above a surpassing thing which, here, is the knowledge of Christ. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the term hyperechō to explain that God’s grace surpasses all understanding.

Reasoning: Through this word, Paul communicates that God’s peace is far better than man’s mind. It is more powerful and effective than people can comprehend.

❤︎ Keep (4:7)- Greek φρουρέω [phroureō]

Usage: Not merely that of protection, but of inward garrisoning as by the Holy Spirit. (Vine's)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the term phroureō to describe God’s peace as being capable to protect the heart from the invasion of fear and anxiety.

Reasoning: Paul compares God’s peace to a guard standing outside of our hearts making sure no evil or distractions will enter and consume us. God’s peace protects us for Himself.

❤︎ Just (4:8)- δίκαιος [dikaios]

Usage: Custom, rule, right of the law. (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the word dikaios to instruct that man should dwell only on things that are right and agreeable to God’s law.

Reasoning: Christians thoughts should be on the things of God which are alway holy and in accordance to the Word.

❤︎ Pure (4:8)- Greek ἁγνός [hagnos]

Usage: Pure from every fault, immaculate. (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses hagnos in reference to without fault. He tells the church to fill their minds with things that are blameless and perfect.

Reasoning: Thinking about the things of God requires that people’s minds should be centered around things that have no fault since God is faultless.

❤︎ Lovely (4:8)- Greek προσφιλής [prosphilēs]

Usage: Pleasing, agreeable, pros, "toward," phileo, "to love". (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses prosphilēs in this verse to describe one of things the church is to think about as attractive to others. He instructs Believers to dwell on things that are pleasing to the Lord.

Reasoning: God is lovely; therefore, Believers’ minds should be consumed with things that are acceptable in the eyes of God which may not necessarily be what is pleasing to men.

❤︎ Think (4:8)- Greek λογίζομαι [logizomai]

Usage: To think upon a matter by way of taking account of its character. (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses logizomai in a way that instructs the church to meditate on the things he previously listed. This term involves considering with the goal of obtaining them.

Reasoning: Paul knows that actions reflect what is in the mind. If the church spends time pondering these things, good deeds will result.

❤︎ Received (4:9)- Greek παραλαμβάνω [paralambanō]

Usage: To receive from another. (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: Paul uses the word paralambanō in this verse to tell the church to receive with their mind what he himself has instructed them.

Reasoning: Paul not only wants the church to hear what he says, but to take his words and put them in their hearts and minds. He wants Believers to remember his instructions so they can do them.

❤︎ Peace (4:9)- εἰρήνη [eirēnē]

Usage: God of wholeness, finished, made perfect. (Vine’s)

Specific Meaning: In this verse, Paul uses eirēnē to describe God as the author and promoter of peace. Genuine peace can only come from Him.

Reasoning: Paul points out that if the church does what he has exemplified, ridding the mind of worry and consuming it with the things of God, then God will bless them with true peace that only comes from above.

❊The Challenge❊

Take your favorite passage of scripture and write down at least 8 observations from each verse. You would be surprised at how much you can learn without any aid, just you and the Holy Spirit. In addition, try out the Blue Letter Bible app or another word study program and discover how much meaning you can discover behind just one word!