Introduction
This week we return to the Book of Philippians in our study of φρονέω (phroneō, Strong’s 5426), a word that describes a person’s mindset or frame of mind. It has to do with the attitude a person has regarding the things of this world.
Review
The theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is fellowship. He presents the necessity of having our frame of mind changed so that we will be able to handle the things of this world with moderation. Accordingly, he gives a command in Philippians 2:5 concerning φρονέω (phroneō): “Let this mindset (φρονέω, phroneō) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Paul then presents the Lord’s approach to the earthly, material realm as one of leaving glory and choosing the low road from an earthly perspective, even to the point of submitting to the suffering of the cross. Next, in Philippians 3:13-16, Paul uses his own mindset as an example to clarify what he is saying about φρονέω (phroneō). He explains that he considers all earthly accomplishments, including holding to his Jewish pedigree as status, as nothing more than garbage compared to the prize of reaching the goal of knowing Christ. He says that mature Christians will have this same mindset toward the value of earthly things (verses 15-16); but those who have not yet reached maturity should still walk by the same rule of maturity since they have his example to follow.
Meaning Part Four ~ Philippians 4:2-7
The next part of Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church, verses 2-7 of Chapter 4, is an application of his teaching on φρονέω (phroneō):
2) I encourage Euodia, and I encourage Syntyche, to have the same frame of mind (φρονέω, phroneō) in the Lord.
3) And I ask you also, genuine comrade, help them, who contended together with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
It is obvious from the text that two women in the church in Philippi are not getting along. After giving the command to have the same frame of mind or attitude as the Lord, and after presenting his own approach to life as the example of spiritual maturity, Paul applies his teaching to these two women; they are to have the “same frame of mind” (the present infinitive form of φρονέω, phroneō) in the Lord. Each of these women is to interact with the other from out of the same mindset that the Lord had, not according to human reasoning and desire. Paul lists four commands for these ladies, and for the rest of the body of Christ, that comprise having the “same frame of mind” in the Lord.
First Command ~ Verse 4
Be satisfied in the Lord always; again I will say, be satisfied.
In verse four, Paul presents the first command concerning a proper approach to the situations of life. The Greek word translated be satisfied is the word χαίρω (chairō, Strong’s 5463) and is generally translated rejoice in most English translations. This word is used to express the gratification or satisfaction of the soldier who is involved in war. It is also used to describe the satisfaction of an athlete when he participates in the Coliseum games. Paul is commanding that believers find their satisfaction in the Lord, rather than in getting their own way.
Second Command ~ Verse 5
Let your yielding be known to all men. The Lord is near.
The next command is presented in verse five and deals with a believer’s value system. The key word used here, ἐπιεικής (epieikēs, Strong’s 1933) is translated yielding. A believer is to be known for moderation and yielding, not for his indulgence in the things of the world or his insistence on getting his own way. Each Christians’ value system is revealed by how he responds to circumstances that do not go his way. With the proper mindset, a believer is able to deny himself and yield to the Spirit of God ruling in the Body of Christ.
Third and Fourth Commands ~ Verse 6
Do not be anxious for one thing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Paul gives the third and fourth commands in verse six. He tells believers that they should “not be anxious for one thing.” The word translated anxious is the Greek word μεριμνάω (merimnao, Strong’s 3309) and is literally the occupation of the attention of the mind. Paul commands that we are not to allow even one thing of this material realm to consume us, because it will preclude us from unity and fellowship in Christ. Instead, we are to be yielding, finding our satisfaction in what the Lord wants. Rather than being anxious over things, we are to let our requests be made known to God through prayer and petition. Instead of insisting on our own way, we are to pray to God leaving all things in His hands and submitting to His will as He exercises it within the Body of Christ.
Result
The end result of having these four commands governing our lives is found in Verse 7:
And the peace of God, which is surpassing all perception, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
The peace of God, experienced within ourselves individually and within the Church at large, is based upon each Christian having a mindset (φρονέω, phroneō) wherein he finds his satisfaction in the Lord and in what the Lord wants. The believer must approach the things of this earthly life in moderation, yielding to the Lord’s moving of unity in and through the Body of Christ. The mindset each is to desire is to be at peace with the Lord and with the rest of the Body of Christ. This is only possible when individual Christians desire the Lord’s will above their own.
Notes
– phroneō is the English font spelling of the Greek word φρονέω.
– All Biblical quotes contained herein are a Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries – The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.
