The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 161

Vers. 4-7.-The lcey-note of the Epistle: holy joy, with its blessed results. I. THE DUTY OF REJOICING. 1. The Christian should learn to rejoice always. The word "always·• is emphatic. 'l'here lies the difficulty, there too lies the blessedness, of rejoicing in the Lord. It is easy to rejoice in moments of excitement, but to rejoice always, in afflic- tion, in pain, in weariness, in disappointment, is difficult indeed. St. Paul had learned the lesson which he teaches-he rejoiced in hardships and in chains. 2. Christian foy is joy in the Lord. Rejoice in what he did, in what he is, in himself. Rejoice in hi:1 incarnation, his holy life, his sufferings for us, his precious death, his resurrection, his ascension, his perpetual intercession. Rejoice in his humility, his purity, his unsel □ sh­ ness, his holy courage, his love, his gentleness, his sympathy, his power, his glory, his majesty. Rejoice in himself, in spiritual fellowship with him, in his most gracious presence abiding in the Christian heart. II. THE RESULTS OF llOLY JOY. 1. Christian joy leads to gentleness and forbearance towards others. He who rejoices in the Lord, happy in that great possession, is not selfish, does not insist eagerly on his own rights, but will give way to others, will be gentle and kind; and that because the Lord is at hand. 'l'he Christian who rejoices in the Lord loves his appearing, loves to think on it, to prepare for it. He does not set overmuch store on his earthly rights, in view of the coming of the Lord and the gre,1t reward reserved for the faithful servant. 2. Holy joy dispels anxious care. He who rejoices in the Lord is not disturbed by distracting anxiety about worldly things. Holy joy keeps the mind clear and calm; it concentrates the thoughts upon the great gladnes:. of the presence of the Lord, in comparison with which the objects of worldly pursuit are insignificant indeed. If we are learning to rejoice in him, we shall learn in like measure the difficult lesson to cast all our care upon him, for we shall know that he careth for us. 3. Inner spiritual joy must express itself in prayer and supplication. (1) For prayer is converse with God, and we must take delight in holding converse with him whose presence is our chiefost joy. Hence our love for prayer is a sure index:. of our love for God. 'l'he more we love him, the more constant our prayers will be; we shall learn to pray always, on nil occasions, great and small. The Christian makes his requests known unto God in everything, in all the difficulties of his daily life. Nothing is too small to ask God's counsel upon, nothing so great and engrossing as to keep the Christian from his prayers. (2) Prayer is the general converse of the soul with God; supplication consists in direct petitions for ourselves and for others. Intercessory prayer is the bounden duty of the Christian. We must pray for our family, our neigh- bours, our Church, our nation, for all Christian people, for the heathen, for missions. PHILIPPI ANS. M  lfl2 THE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE PHILIPPIANS. [cu. xv. 1-23,