- So then, my brothers, beloved and longed-for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Master, beloved.
- I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Suntuche to be of the same mind in the Master.
- And I also ask you, true companion, help these women who laboured with me in the Good News, with Qlemes also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
- Rejoice in יהוה always, again I say, rejoice!
- Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near.
(Philippians 4:1-5)
Boker Tov (Good Morning),
As Rivkah and I sat and read in our devotional this morning, one of the Scriptures used was in Philippians 4. As I sat pondering verse 5, the phrase, ‘The Master is near’, stood out to me quite clearly. What does this ‘gentleness’ that we are to make known to all men mean? Interestingly, it is one of those Greek words that is very difficult to put your finger on. The Strong’s meaning of ‘gentleness’ (epieikēs in Greek) is to have moderation. According to 2 Timothy and Titus by Aida Besancon Spencer, epieikēs is used to describe Elohim in Psalm 85:5. Other variations of the word in different translations are: forbearance, patience, softness, equitable and yielding.
So then, why is Sha’ul (Paul) encouraging those he was writing to in Philippi (and to us) to make known unto all men (to allow others to perceive us to be acting in moderation towards them), for the Master is near?
As I was thinking upon this, I turned over to the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (Commentary) and found, what I also agree with, the true intent behind what Sha’ul was speaking about.
Here is the quote from Cambridge concerning the word ‘gentleness’:
“The word is full of interest and significance, and is very difficult of translation. Perhaps forbearance, though inadequate, is a fair rendering. It means in effect considerateness, the attitude of thought and will which in remembrance of others forgets self, and willingly yields up the purely personal claims of self. The “self-less” man is the “moderate” man of this passage; the man who is yielding as air in respect of personal feeling or interest, though firm as a rock in respect of moral principle.”
Please note in my own studying of the Scriptures, I sometimes head over to the commentaries on Bible Hub to find out what some of them say regarding certain topics and Scriptures. However, it is important to note, that I do not take mans opinions or interpretations and run with them, making them my own. Commentaries do not teach me about Father’s Word, but only Father’s Spirit. They do not “form” my belief system in other words. It is ok to use commentaries as research, but never use them as a substitute for the pure teaching and revelation of the Spirit of Yahuweh.
With that said – what Cambridge has brought out is exactly in line, parallel with my previous message on selfishness in the blog, “Cure for the Crushed”. Why does this message keep popping up? Could it be because we are living in a day where the love of many has grown cold already, and will continue to get worse as the economy falls apart at the seams? This planet has not known such times as these – the great selfishness of mankind. Messiah spoke of it many times, and in one example in Matthew, He says that the families will turn on each other and turn each other in – betraying one another.
The spirit of lawlessness and the god of self is rising to all new heights and this is the prime reason Sha’ul (Paul) said to let others perceive and know you as one who is “self-less” and considerate of others…why? Because the Master is near (at hand).
Go back and read that excerpt from Cambridge above about the word ‘gentleness’, as it is extremely powerful! Pay attention to this phrase – “and willingly yields up the purely personal claims of self”
Now that we have an idea of what verse 5 is saying, lets see it in the context he was writing it in. Evidently, the Assembly of Philippi and those specific fellow workers of Sha’ul were a great joy to him and most beloved. But notice at the end of verse 3,”…and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Right before he leads into the famous verse 4 of rejoicing in Yahuweh, he is speaking about the names of his fellow workers being in the Book of Life.
According to Cambridge, the terminology of ‘rejoice always’ reads strange and unnatural. I tend to agree, because how can one rejoice always, even in all circumstances? Cambridge goes on to explain –
“He leads them here above all uncertain and fluctuating reasons for joy, to Him Who is the supreme and unalterable gladness of the believing soul, beneath and above all changes of circumstances and sensation.”
Are you as exciting as I am right now? Look at what it is saying – we are to rejoice always above all uncertainties – BECAUSE He is the ‘supreme and unalterable gladness of our believing souls – riding high above all circumstances for the reasons of joy!’ HalleluYah!
Now, if you read verse 3 and 4 in context, what Sha’ul is saying is that because his fellow workers names are written down in the Book of Life, IT IS POSSIBLE to rejoice always! I don’t know about you, but that gives me great joy to know that no matter what happens and the hell that is quickly going to be poured out upon this earth, that we CAN rejoice gladly because we know where we are going and that our names are written down in the Book of Life. Sha’ul RAN to his executioner because he knew what eternally awaited him. HalleluYah!
Stepping back into verse 5 again, to act with gentleness towards all men and having them perceive that you are one of moderation (one who acts fairly and just – even tempered and self-less) are the actions required of us who believe….because the Master’s coming is near. Yes, the Master is near to us always and we must act in accordance with His nature towards all men, but even more so that the day is approaching.
As the world dives into the darkness of self-centeredness, and the forces of darkness are released upon this earth, as followers of the Master, we are to anticipate His coming even more so by HOW we treat one another – not exalting ourselves above them. This is the foundation of the Gospel!
To finalize and bring this all together, Philippians 4:5-6 can also be understood from Psalm 85:5-6. As a matter of fact, this is probably where Sha’ul based his words on to the Philippians. Now, to get the context of Psalm 85:5-6, lets backup and read verses 1-6:
- יהוה, You shall take pleasure in Your land; You shall turn back the captivity of Ya‛aqoḇ.
- You shall take away the crookedness of Your people; You shall cover all their sin. Selah.
- You shall withdraw all Your wrath; You shall turn from Your fierce displeasure.
- Turn back to us, O Elohim of our deliverance, And cause Your vexation toward us to cease.
- Would You be enraged with us forever? Would You draw out Your displeasure From generation to generation?
- Would You not revive us again, For Your people to rejoice in You?
The Psalmist is crying out to Yahuweh with a series of statements in verses 1-4 that actually point directly to Messiah Yahushua. The Psalmist is reminding Yahuweh to save His people as He promised. There is no one accept Messiah who can turn back the wrath of the Father on His people. It is because of the forgiveness of sins and crookedness’s that Yahuweh can accept His people back – only through Messiah and His atoning blood!
Now, come the questions in verses 5 and 6. In verse 5, what the Psalmist is actually saying is, ‘though you have good reason to destroy us, would you not show gentleness and moderation towards us? Would you not yield unto us and draw back from showing your displeasure? Please think of us, showing us Yourself considerate in the land of our captivity.’
What the Psalmist is saying is, ‘let your forbearance and patience be shown unto us, turning back from what you wanted to do to us because of our wretchedness (Philippians 4:5). Basically, the cry is for forbearance to be shown unto those that have sinned greatly, and for Him to remember that we are but dust. ‘Though you have every right to destroy us, remember your promise to save us!’ Is this not what Sha’ul said in Philippians, to act with gentleness toward mankind – making yourself known to be one who acts with forbearance? So… the children of Yahuweh ARE suppose to act like their Father, Yahuweh!
He goes on to to ask Yahuweh, ‘would you not revive us again (cause us to live?) For Your people to rejoice in You?’
Here it is – the connection – Show us, O’ Yahuweh, forbearance, for did you not promise to save us (revive us), writing our names in Your Book of Life so that Your People can rejoice always in You? (Philippians 4:4)
The Master was near in the heart of the Psalmist because he knew that if Yahuweh did not turn back His displeasure (through sending Messiah, His only Son), providing forgiveness, then his people would have no hope of life.
Sha’ul knew the Master was near, therefore he encouraged those of the Philippian assembly to let their actions of yielding to one another, acting self-less as in a manner of refusing to allow other people to perceive them as people inconsiderate of their needs and cries for help, to be ever present.
Is the Master near to you? Though Yahuweh has every right to pour out His wrath upon us, it is only through Messiah that death and destruction can ‘pass-over’ us.
We encourage you this day to rejoice in Yahuweh always, because your name is written in His Book of Life. Therefore, go forth and allow others to know you, perceive you, as one who exercises gentleness and moderation – even though you may have great reason not to. As Yahuweh had great reason to destroy us, and leave us in the lands of our captivity, He had great mercy upon us, acting self-less in sending His only begotten Son. It is because of this mercy, that we can rejoice always… and to you…again I say rejoice!
Shalom!