What If We Didn't Have Philippians, Pt. 2
Theological Connections
“If the church didn’t have this book of the Bible you’ve been studying, what would they be missing out on?” - Dr. Terry Eves
Miss the first post introducing the topic and discussing the historical? Click here.
Theological (What Does He Mean by It?)
You may be saying, “Now hold on a moment, Kyle. Give more context! Paul goes on to emphasize the peace of God presently guarding the hearts of believers (4:7) and that the God of peace will presently be with them (4:9). Moreover, these are immediately after 4:5, so wouldn’t the immediate context give us cause to think the ‘at hand’ in 4:5 refers to God presently being with the believer?”
Great question! That is a spectacular observation!
Here’s my take: The “peace of God” and “God of peace” phrasing brings a restful bookending tone to this section of Philippians. These things work with not against understanding Christ’s imminent return as cause and cure.
Although I’m not explicitly against a double entendre occurring here, let’s look at it within the letter (internal) and in another letter (external) which points from Christ’s soon return to our present peace with God. Both ideas—a present and a future peace—go hand-in-hand with how Paul urges his readers.
Internal:
The language of believers’ present peace with God in unison with Christ’s imminent return is functional. At the end of Paul’s exhortation to strain toward what lies ahead (3:12–4:1), Paul articulates that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (3:20). Awaiting! This immediately flows into Paul’s entreating Euodia and Syntyche to unify (4:2–3). Immediately after that comes the series of exhortations discussed above with “The Lord is at hand” in the mix of it.
So, why shouldn’t Euodia and Syntyche disagree and tear apart the church? The Lord is at hand so of what use would it be to cause disunity?
Or, why shouldn’t the believer be downtrodden, unreasonable, and anxious? The Lord is at hand so of what use would those things be?
The reasoning flows as follows: The Lord’s return is at hand → therefore, rejoice, be reasonable, don’t be anxious, and pray thankfully! → Think and act these ways and the God of peace shall be with you [while awaiting Christ’s return] (see 4:7–9 with 3:20).
External:
What about in the rest of Scripture? Is it just the Letter to the Philippians which draws connection to the Lord’s imminent return and peace? By no means!
Let’s take another example from Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church as further evidence. In Paul’s first letter, after discussing the Lord’s coming (1 Thess. 4:13–5:11), he proceeds by instructing them in similar nature to his letter to the Philippians (rejoice, pray, give thanks, etc.—1 Thess. 5:12–22). What happens in the discourse process? It follows similar reasoning from above in Philippians:
The Lord’s return → calls for Paul’s exhortation in action and positivity → which leads to a hope for “the God of peace himself [to] sanctify you completely” (1 Thess. 5:23, emphasis added). (For another example of this sequence, see 2 Thess. 3:6–16.)
Still considering how Paul said these things within Philippians itself? Left wondering “So what, Kyle?” The final part which attempts to answer these questions is coming soon!
Want more “What If We Didn’t Have ___” while you wait on Philippians: Part 3? Click here for the previous, complete post on Genesis!