Paul Closes the Book of Joy and Rejoicing: Philippians 4:20-23
“20) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21) Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22) All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philippians 4:20-23
Paul now closes the book of Philippians with four short verses. In doing so, he says four very important things.
First, he gives all glory to God the Father. He recognized the plan of salvation originated with Him. (See John 3:16-17)
Second, he greeted the saints in Christ Jesus and sent greetings from them. The word “saint” means a “holy one.” Faith in Jesus Christ makes people holy both inwardly and outwardly. Keep in mind, he was writing to a group of former criminals he met while in jail in Philippi.
Third, he pointed out that many in Caesar’s own household had become believers. Paul called them “saints!” And so the seeds of the gospel were being firmly planted in Rome. Within a few hundred years, Rome was destined to adopt Christianity as its official state religion. God was at work in unimaginable ways and places.
Finally, he blessed them by saying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” This is very enlightening. Paul blessed their spirit and not their body or soul. This adds weight to the idea that walking in the spirit is first and foremost the renewed human spirit taking governorship over our lives.
The Holy Spirit indwells the newly alive human spirit at the moment of being born-again. He imparts Zoe life. Everything changes at the moment of salvation. Grace begins to flow through our spirit into every area of our lives.
And so the book of joy and rejoicing is finished. What an amazing book. God has used it to feed, bless and inspire many of His holy ones over the centuries.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“20) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21) Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22) All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philippians 4:20-23
Paul now closes the book of Philippians with four short verses. In doing so, he says four very important things.
First, he gives all glory to God the Father. He recognized the plan of salvation originated with Him. (See John 3:16-17)
Second, he greeted the saints in Christ Jesus and sent greetings from them. The word “saint” means a “holy one.” Faith in Jesus Christ makes people holy both inwardly and outwardly. Keep in mind, he was writing to a group of former criminals he met while in jail in Philippi.
Third, he pointed out that many in Caesar’s own household had become believers. Paul called them “saints!” And so the seeds of the gospel were being firmly planted in Rome. Within a few hundred years, Rome was destined to adopt Christianity as its official state religion. God was at work in unimaginable ways and places.
Finally, he blessed them by saying, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” This is very enlightening. Paul blessed their spirit and not their body or soul. This adds weight to the idea that walking in the spirit is first and foremost the renewed human spirit taking governorship over our lives.
The Holy Spirit indwells the newly alive human spirit at the moment of being born-again. He imparts Zoe life. Everything changes at the moment of salvation. Grace begins to flow through our spirit into every area of our lives.
And so the book of joy and rejoicing is finished. What an amazing book. God has used it to feed, bless and inspire many of His holy ones over the centuries.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone