Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – Philippians
An Intimate Review
Pt 5
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [Phil 4:1; Heb 12:1-3; 10:35-39] Apostle Paul explains that because Jesus Christ has committed Himself to the spiritual perfection of His brethren, they are expected to STAND fast in Him.

*stand (fast) Gk #4739 steko (stay-ko) it means to be stationary and to persevere

• stationary is to be…
o standing still, not moving and having an fixed position
o not movable, established in one place and not itinerant
o not changing or migratory but remaining in the same condition and state
• persevere is to…
o persist in anything undertaken
o maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles and discouragement
o insist, continue steadfastly and persist in speech, interrogation and argument

[Mt 5:11, 12; 6:34; Jn 16:33; I Cor 10:13; I Pet 2:19, 20; 4:13, 15, 16; 5:10; Jam 1:2-4] It is likely that Christ did not enjoy being nailed to the cross by His hands and feet. It is likely that Christ did not like having a crown of thorns pushed down on His head or pierced the side with a sword. It is likely that He did not enjoy being slapped and spat in the face. It is quite likely that He did not enjoy having His Name ridiculed or soldiers gambling over pieces of His garments while He suffered for them. It is certain He did not like having someone He loved and disciple betray Him, especially with a kiss for filthy lucre. However, because of Who He was, the love He had for His FATHER and brethren, He STOOD fast to His commitment to become the Propitiation for their sins and of those He knew never receive Him. It is with this mind that born-again believers are expected to remain subject to Yahweh through Christ until they reach spiritual perfection. Whenever they feel like giving up or giving in, they should remember the commitment Christ made on their behalf. [Heb 12:1-3]
In [Phil 4:4-9] Apostle Paul offers counsel on how to maintain personal commitment to Christ, especially in times of great challenges. It has much to do with one’s MODE OF THINKING.

1. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS: and again, I say, REJOICE. [Phil 4:4]

*rejoice Gk #5463 chairo (khah-ee-ro) it means to be filled with cheer, calmly happy and well-off

• cheer is…
o something that gives joy and gladness
o encouragement and comfort
o a shout of encouragement, approval and congratulations
• happy is…
o delighted, pleased or glad, as over a particular thing
o characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment and joy
o favored by fortune and fortunate
• well-off is being…
o well-to-do and having sufficient money for comfortable living
o in a satisfactory, favorable and good condition

Per this definition, there must be a heartfelt and verbal agreeing with Yahweh’s Word concerning HIS spiritual offspring. [Mk 11:21-23; Pro 18: 4, 20, 21; Job 22:28] While one may not have everything they desire of THE LORD, they are to be thankful for what they do have. It is certain that THE LORD provides what is sufficient as they await manifestations of other things they desire of HIM. [Phil 4:11]

2. LET their MODERATION be known unto all men as THE LORD is always AT HAND. [Phil 4:5]

*moderation Gk #1933 epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace) it means appropriate and mild

*at hand Gk #1451 eggus (eng-goos) it means near in time and place

3. Be CAREFUL for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let their requests be made known unto Yahweh. [Phil 4:6]
*careful Gk #3309 merimnao (mer-im-nah-o) it means to be anxious, which is…
• full of mental distress and uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune
• greatly worried, solicitous and earnestly desirous
• eager, attended with or showing solicitude and uneasiness

THE LORD does not want HIS children to be CAREFUL or MERIMNAO about challenges from evil they face on a daily basis to some degree. [Mt 6:34]. HE wants them to always be at ease in HIS rest through Christ. [Mt 11:28; Heb 4:9, 10]

4. And the PEACE OF GOD, which PASSETH all understanding, shall KEEP their hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. [Phil 4:7]

*peace Gk #1515 eirene (i-ray-nay) it is divine peace and prosperity

*passeth Gk #5242 huperecho (hoop-er-ekh-o) it means to hold oneself above, excel, be superior and superiority

*keep Gk #5432 phroureo (froo-reh-o) it means to watch in advance, mount guard as a sentinel, post spies at gates, hem in and protect

Per this definition, Apostle Paul is referring to the place of PEACE and PROSPERITY Yahweh makes available to HIS worshipers through Christ and the Holy Ghost. [Isa 26:3; Mt 11:28; Jn 14:27]

5. The Elect are to THINK on positive and resolute things per Yahweh’s Word. [Phil 4:8]

*think Gk #3049 logizomai (log-id-zom-ahee) it means to estimate and take inventory

• estimate is to…
o form an approximate judgment or opinion regarding the worth, amount, size and weight of a thing
o judge, form an opinion of and calculate approximately

• inventory is a…
o complete listing of merchandise, raw materials, finished goods and stock on hand
o work in progress and to aggregate the value of a stock of goods
o formal list of one’s property or estate
o tally of one's personality traits, aptitudes and skills used to counsel and guide

*true Gk #227 alethes (al-ay-thace) it means not concealing what is true

*honest Gk #4586 semnos (sem-nos) it means venerable, which is…
• commanding respect because of great age and dignity
• worthy of reverence per high office and noble character
• honorable, ancient and filled with age

*just Gk #1342 dikaios (dik-ah-yos) it means equitable, fair, just in character or act, innocent and holy

*pure Gk #53 hagnos (hag-nos) it means clean, innocent, modest and perfect

*lovely Gk #4375 prosphiles (pros-fee-lace) it means friendly and acceptable

*good report Gk #2163 euphemos (yoo-fay-mos) it means well-spoken and reputable

*virtue Gk #703 arete (ar-et-ay) it means attributed and intrinsic valor and excellence

*praise Gk #1868 epainos (ep-ahee-nos) it is laudation and a commendable thing

Per these definitions, born-again believers are to use their mental capacity in Christ to entertain THOUGHTS that nurture and inspire them to remain committed to Him and His doctrine. [St Mt 26:41; Jn 5:24, 25; 6:63, 68; 8:31, 32, 36; 10:10b] Yahweh is the MOST ANCIENT of all intelligent beings. No word is as effective as HIS. When in doubt, one must consider whether or not they are effectively THINKING on HIS WORD or someone else’s. [Heb 11:6]
In [Phil 4:13] Apostle Paul notes that they are to know that they can do all things through Christ Who STRENGTHENS them. [II Cor 12:9, 10; I Jn 5:3]

*strengtheneth Gk #1743 endunamoo (en-doo-nam-o-o) it means to make strong, empower, enable and increase in strength

6. The Elect are to know that Yahweh shall supply all their needs according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [Phil 4:19]

*supply Gk #4137 pleroo (play-ro-o) it means to…
• make replete, cram into a net and level up as if a hollow
• furnish, satisfy and imbue
• diffuse, influence and execute an office
• finish a period or task and verify or coincide with a prediction

*needs Gk #5532 chreia (khri-ah) it refers to employment, an affair or occasion and a demand, requirement and destitution

Those who wholeheartedly worship Yahweh through Christ must be convicted that Yahweh is able and desires to SUPPLY whatever they need throughout their lifetime. [Mt 6:33, 34] As HE is not LIAR, THE LORD considers HIS Word already fulfilled. [Num 23:19; Pro 3:5-8; Isa 55:11; Jer 29:11]. Especially in the most challenging of circumstances, the Elect are to employ the mode of THINKING needed to overcome IMPATIENCE and UNBELIEF. [Lk 22:11; Rm 8:25; Jam 1:2-4; Heb 11:1, 6; Rev 3:10] King David writes,

Rejoice in THE LORD, O ye RIGHTEOUS: for PRAISE is COMELY for the UPRIGHT.
By the WORD of THE LORD were the heavens MADE; and all the host of them by the breath of HIS MOUTH.
For HE SPAKE, and IT WAS DONE; HE COMMANDED, and IT STOOD FAST.
The COUNSEL of THE LORD STANDETH FOREVER, the THOUGHTS of HIS HEART to ALL generations.
BLESSED if the nation whose GOD is THE LORD; and the people whom HE hath chosen for HIS OWN INHERTIANCE.
Behold, the EYE of THE LORD is upon THEM THAT FEAR HIM, upon them that HOPE in HIS MERCY;
To DELIVER their SOUL from death, and to KEEP them ALIVE in FAMINE.
Our SOUL WAITETH for THE LORD: HE is our HELP and our SHIELD.
For our HEART SHALL REJOICE in HIM, because we have TRUSTED in HIS HOLY NAME.
Let THY mercy, O LORD, be upon us, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE in THEE.
[Ps 33: 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 18-22]

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