Paul’s Strong Requests

by: Geoffrey Cox

Paul does a lot of asking in his letter to the Philippians. Sometimes he asks God to do things for the Philippians. Sometimes he asks the Philippians to do things for God. And sometimes he asks them to do things for themselves.

First, by name and directly, Paul asks these two women to make up their quarrel. Quarrels damage relationships and hurt the church. Then Paul asks a helper (“true yokefellow”) to mediate if necessary. He does not miss the opportunity to notice and praise those who have worked with him, and to remind them of their wonderful privilege of having their names written, not just in the roll of citizens of Philippi, but in “the book of life” (see Rev. 13:8 and 21:7).

The circle widens and the apostle begs his readers to do three things and reap a rich reward:

• to rejoice in the Lord by delighting ourselves in him and making much of all that we enjoy of him.
• to be gentle, letting that fruit of the Spirit develop in our hearts and minds, and so in our lives.
• to develop trust in God by talking with God, and by making definite requests for which answers can be recognized.

The reward? That amazing and incomprehensible “peace of God” that will garrison our hearts and minds, enabling us to rest “in Christ Jesus.”