In the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians, Paul gives us some of the most famous and memorable verses in the Bible.

Beyond just being one of Paul’s “greatest hits”, there is some tremendously practical and approachable wisdom being given. Let’s look at a few things that stand out in Philippians 4:4-13.

Philippians 4:4-13: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Examining Each Verse

Verse 4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

I think for a lot of people this verse comes off as unrealistic. “What you do mean Paul, ‘rejoice always?!’ Is this verse just for people who don’t live in the real world? While you’re telling me to ‘always rejoice’ I’ve got a parent in hospice, a struggling kid at home, my marriage isn’t doing well, and I have to spend 50 hours a week at a job I hate that still isn’t paying enough. ‘Rejoice always,’ humph.”

That’s a pretty common way of thinking about what it means to rejoice or to have joy. People think that rejoicing is a verb you act out when you experience a big, happy emotion. So rejoicing always would entail either: a) consistently lying to yourself and others about your emotions, or b) always being happy. Neither of those seem particularly appealing or reasonable.

But, I think the Bible is pointing us towards a different way of understanding what it means to rejoice. (You can read more on this topic in another article, “On Joy and Hope.”)

What if Paul is telling us to reorient ourselves on the person and the promises and the work of God in our lives and in our world? What if Paul isn’t saying to feel a certain way and then act, but rather is telling us to act in a certain way that leads to feeling joy?

Maybe we should keep reading…

VERSES 5-6: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Paul is saying: “Be a person who is so grounded in God (which will result from the rejoicing in verse 4) that everyone can see Him as the foundation of your life and thoughts, in how you extend kindness and patience to the people around you and to your circumstances. He is with you! You’re not trying to live for some far off God; He’s right there with you. So, you don’t have to carry any struggles on your own… Keep bringing it all to the God who is right there with you in prayer; He loves you, and you can trust Him to get you through hard circumstances.”

VERSE 7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And the result of centering yourself on God and bringing your concerns to Him in trust and surrender is that you’ll have PEACE. You might not be able to explain it, because the peace that God has for His people goes beyond human experience and expectation and comprehension.

That is going to guard your heart and your mind IN Christ Jesus. Not apart from Him, but it’s a part of being IN Him, of Him being in us and us being in Him (See John 15:4).

VERSE 8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Paul is saying: “Hey you fellow followers of Jesus: Keep your thoughts where they should be.

You can spend your life thinking about whatever you want, so choose wisely! Put your thoughts on God, on the things of God, as much as you are able.”

Paul isn’t telling people here to go from a 5 minute quiet time to a 30 minute quiet time, or to go to church more. Paul is telling us to start actively choosing to spend time pondering and discussing and wondering about and examining and seeking God and His Kingdom.

This could be read as just another unapproachable religious command. I don’t think that’s the right way to understand this. This is an invitation to take the one controllable constant of a human life – the thought life – and center it on God. And THAT, Paul says, will completely change your life.

I think Dallas Willard puts it well:

“The ultimate freedom we have as individuals is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon and think about. By think we mean all the ways in which we are aware of things, including our memories, perceptions, and beliefs. The focus of your thoughts significantly affects everything else that happens in your life and evokes the feelings that frame your world and motivate your actions.”

― Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23

VERSE 9: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul is saying: “Hey guys, I’m not asking you to do anything beyond what I know works, because it’s what I do! So take my habits of rejoicing and praying and centering my thoughts on God, and make them your habits too! When you do that, you’ll really begin to live in that surpassing peace that God wants you to live in.”

VERSE 10-13: I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Paul is saying: “You know that rejoicing thing we just talked about? I’ve done a lot of that rejoicing over how supportive you all have been of me and my ministry and my struggles.

I know you wanted to help earlier, but weren’t able to. And that’s okay! I wasn’t in NEED, as though I was missing something absolutely essential.

You see, God has actually shown me how to always be content in any circumstance, in the good times and in the bad. ‘I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.’”

…Do you see it? Paul isn’t bragging, nor is he setting some unsustainable, illogical, impractical religious standard. Paul is telling his friends, who he loves and is so grateful for, that God has shown him the way to successfully live out Christianity, and Paul (and God) wants that for them too.

Conclusion

Philippians 4:13 is, after John 3:16, perhaps the most famous and widely quoted verse in the Bible. Teenagers sign it in their school yearbooks (are those still a thing?), athletes write “Phil 4:13” on their eye black (like Tim Tebow, pictured at the top).

But let’s make sure we understand: Verse 13 isn’t some verse you can claim as a promise, void of context.

It’s the fruit, or result, of taking your life, your circumstances, your inner turmoils and triumphs, and centering it on God by:
1)Rejoicing (active giving of thanks)
2)Prayer (asking for His help at all times, acting out your trust of Him and reinforcing that trust)
3)Centering your inner thought life on things that are good and bring life.

And that is available to all people.

Reflection

How about you? Is this dedication to 1) rejoicing, 2) prayer, and 3) centering thoughts on God a part of your normal, daily life? If so, how can you press in more fully?

Or, is this not a part of your normal, daily life? What’s your reason for that?

If it’s because life is too busy, or too hard, or because you’re hurt or angry or tried, then you’re actually at the best time to put this in practice.

Set your mind on Him. Rejoice. Know He’s near. Bring fears and sorrows and concerns to Him in trust.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.