THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
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all things” ). Here we have the abso lute omnipotence of our risen Lord set forth. It is a real ascription of Deity to Him. “ He is able even to subject all things unto Himself.” There is noth ing too hard for Him, the Lord; every thing is to he brought into line with His will. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23rd. Phil. 4:1. Paul urges the saints in Philippi to “ stand fast.” (cf. ch. 1:27; 1 Cor. 16: 13; Gal. 5:1; 1 Thess. 3 :8). He says, “ so (or, thus) stand fast,” i. e., stand fast along the lines of which I have been speaking. Their standing fast must be "in the Lord,” i. e., in His strength, in vital union with Himself (cf. Eph. 6:10; John 15:1-17). He begins the exhortation to steadfastness with “ wherefore,” thus connecting it with what he has just said in the clos ing verses of chapter three. It was in view of the glorious hope which these verses hold out that they should “ stand fast.” In chapter three he has urged them not to stand still, now he tells them that though they are not to stand still, they must stand fast. He is more tender than ever in these verses as he draws not only toward the close of his letter but also toward the per sonal exhortation which really is a per sonal rebuke. He calls them not only “ brethren,” but also “ beloved.” He uses the word “ beloved” twice in the verse. Furthermore he not only calls them “ beloved,” but also “ longed for.” The word “ beloved” is very common in the N. T. Paul himself uses it twenty- seven times of his converts and friends. The word “ longed for” contains a hint of his yearning to re-visit Philippi (cf. ch. 1:8; Rom. 15:23). He also calls' them, “my joy and crown.” They were his joy now and would be his crown at the coming of the Lord, of Which he has just spoken. In a similar way he writes to the other Macedonian church, i. e., the church at Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19, 20). THURSDAY, Oct. 24th. Phil. 4:2, 3. Having addressed them in the tender way found in v. 1, there now comes a personal exhortation to two prominent women in Philippi, Euodia and Syn- tyche. These women had been very active helpers of Paul in the work at Philippi (v. 3). They may have had prophetic gifts (cf. Acts 21:9), or they may have simply been personal work ers among the women; but at all events they had been very active and promin
ent in the work. Perhaps this had led them to become somewhat puffed up and jealous of one another, as so often happens in church life today. They were good women, but were at variance and thus causing much grief to Paul and much dishonor to the Lord. Paul exhorts them “ to be of the same mind.” This unity was to be “ in the Lord,” both being in living union with the one Lord, they must not and could not be at variance with one another. Paul’s heart was greatly concerned about these two women who were at variance with one another, and he “ beseeches” his “ true yoke-fellow” also to help them. Who this “ true yoke-fellow” was we do not know. It may have been Epaphroditus who would thus be not only the bearer of the letter but per sonally addressed in.it. But this is only conjecture. Whoever he was Paul urges him to help these women out of the dissension that was marring their lives and injuring their influence and hurt ing the church and dishonoring Christ, into that unity that was necessary for growth (Eph. 4:13-16) and usefulness. Paul urges his true yoke-fellow not to labor alone for this end, but “ with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers.” He is determined by every effort to bring Euodia and Syntyche to one mind. These all would help them by personal entreaty, instruction and prayer. Clement’s, name and that of these other fellow workers were “ in the book of life.” God has a “ book of life” in which are recorded from all eternity the names of those who will accept and be true to Christ (cf. Rev. 3:5; 13:8- 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; Luke 10:20; Dan. 12:1). Is your name written there? FRIDAY, Oct. 25th. Phil. 4:4, 5 . Now comes another exhortation to rejoice.” The object of this joy is the Lord, “ in the Lord.” This joy should be constant, “ always,” (cf. 1 Thess. 5:16-18). If our joy is in cir cumstances it cannot be constant, for circumstances are always changing, but if our joy is in the Lord it will be Con stant for He is ever the same (Heb. 13:8). Joy is so important in Chris tian life and testimony that Paul repeats the exhortation yet again again will I say, Rejoice.” Now comes an exhortation to a “ forbearance” so manifest and constant that it will be known unto all men. Paul evidently still has Euodia and Syntyche in mind “ Forbearance” means “ yieldingness,”
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