NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 87
P h i l i pp i a n s 4
•
page 2074
through Christ,* who gives me strength. 14Even so, you have done well to share with me
in my present difficulty.
15As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I
first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church
did this. 16Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17I don’t
say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your
kindness.
18At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts
you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable
and pleasing to God. 19And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs
from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ J esus.
20Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
4:13 Greek through the one.
TRAINING
FOR THE
CHRISTIAN
LIFE
4:15
2 Cor 11:8-9
Phil 1:5
4:16
Acts 17:1
1 Thes 2:9
4:17
1 Cor 9:11
4:18
2 Cor 9:12
Phil 2:25
4:19
Ps 23:1
2 Cor 9:8
4:20
Rom 11:36
Just as a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, diligent training is required
for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and
vision. The Christian life takes commitment. And once we have committed, we will find that
the Holy Spirit begins to create in us the desire to play by the rules God has set in place (see
2 Timothy 2:5).
Reference
Metaphor
Training
Goal
1 Corinthians
9:2427
Race
Commit to strict
training in order to
get the prize.
We should train ourselves to run
the race of life, keeping our eyes
on Christ—the goal—and not getting sidetracked or slowed down.
When we do this, we will receive
the prize in Christ’s Kingdom.
Philippians
3:1314
Race
Focus all your energy
toward winning the
race.
Living the Christian life demands
all our energy. We can forget
the past and strain to reach the
goal because we know Christ
promises eternity with him at
the race’s end.
1 Timothy
4:710
Exercise
Be in the practice
of spiritual exercise,
which will help you
grow in faith and
character.
Just as we must repeat exercises
to tone our bodies, we must also
steadily repeat spiritual exercises
to be spiritually fit. When we do
this, we grow closer to God, living
in accordance with his will. A life
lived this way will attract others to
Christ and pay dividends in both
this life and the next.
2 Timothy
4:7-8
Fight; Race
Fight the good fight
and persevere to
the end.
The Christian life is a fight against
evil forces from without and temptation from within. If we stay true
to God through it all, he promises
an end, a rest, and a crown.
anything we can imagine without regard to his interests. As we contend
for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. What does God
want you to do? Step out in faith and do it, trusting him for the strength
you will need.
4:14 The Philippians shared in Paul’s financial support while he was
in prison. They provided the means for him to get food and likely the
materials he needed to write his letters.
4:15 What makes money so magnetic and giving it away often so
stressful? Money insures we can get what we need. It gives us stature
and represents our day-to-day security. Giving money away puts our
work and our futures at risk. Not every charity deserves your atten
tion, and you’re wise to scrutinize missionary appeals as well. But once
you’ve determined that a project honors the Lord, don’t hold back—give
generously and joyfully. Like the Philippians, you’ll be establishing an
eternal partnership.
4:17 When we give to those in need, it not only benefits the recipients
but benefits us as well. It was not the Philippians’ gift but their spirit of
love and devotion that Paul appreciated most.
4:18 Paul was not referring to a sin offering but to a peace offering, “a
sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God” (Leviticus
7:12-15 contains the instructions for such offerings of thanksgiving).
Although the Greek and Roman Christians were not Jews and had not
offered sacrifices according to the Old Testament laws, they were well
acquainted with the pagan rituals of offering sacrifices.
4:19 We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we
actually need on earth he will always supply, even if, like Paul, it is the
courage to face death. We must remember, however, the difference
between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and
avoid discomfort and pain. We may not get all that we want. But by trusting
in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything
to accepting his provision and power to live for him.
