Philippians 4:5

“Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand”

“Let”: This is. choice. “Forbearance”: “Forbearing spirit be plain to everyone” (TCNT). “The Greek term contains the idea of yieldingness, gentleness or sweet reasonableness. The term suggests the disposition of one who is willing to forego his own rights in the interest of the higher good of others. The word does not, however, imply. yielding in truth or principle!” (Jackson pp. 79-80). “Goodwill, fairness, magnanimity” (Muller pp. 140). “The term indicates something of ‘the power of yielding', the ability to give way to the wishes of others, the poise of soul which enables one to sacrifice his own rights, not by necessity but out of generosity and sympathy. It is the opposite of stubbornness and thoughtlessness. It underlies chivalry and true politeness” (Erdman p. 139). “It is that considerate courtesy and respect for the integrity of others which prompts. person not to be forever standing on his rights” (Hawthorne p. 182). “Be known unto all men”: Not just Christians, rather display this character trait before your non-Christian friends and neighbors as well.

This is. character trait that we see in the life of Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5; 2 Corinthians 10:1). This is part of the definition of true love (1 Corinthians 13:5). From the context, the two sisters mentioned in Philippians 4:2, especially needed to apply this attitude.

Especially in our society that insists upon its own rights, it is hard to learn to give up your rights for the good of another (1 Corinthians 10:32). This context reveals the key that unlocks such. wonderful attitude. The key is "gratitude" (Philippians 4:4). Seeing that God has unselfishly done so much for my salvation (Philippians 2:6-8), seeing that. have all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3), and seeing that. have always far more than. really deserve,. do not have to insist on every "right" that is entitled to me. Ungrateful people demand their rights. Hendriksen notes: “The lesson which Paul teaches is that true blessedness cannot be obtained by the person who rigorously insists on whatever he regards as his just due. Sweet reasonableness is an essential ingredient to true happiness” (p. 193).

“The Lord is at hand”: In view of the fact that the second coming of Jesus Christ could happen at any time, the Lord is always at hand (1 Thessalonians 5:1). ‘Leave all wrongs for Him to adjust. Forbear all wrath and retaliation (Romans 12:19 ff)” (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 466). Hence there is good reason to rejoice always and good reason to forego our own rights and good reason to live worry-free. The Lord can come at any time to reward the faithful and to punish the evil-doers, to heal all ills and right all wrongs (2 Thessalonians 1:7). Again, this phrase should stimulate the two women in Philippians 4:2 to quickly resolve their differences, because being at odds with our brethren when the Lord comes again, is like crying at our own birthday party. Nobody is impressed! Some suggest that the phrase "at hand" means "near in space", that being that the Lord is always near to His people (Hebrews 13:5). There is. great lesson to be learned here. Christians should be known as people who are "reasonable". That is, we are ready to compromise where we can. Being. Christian means that we are only "strict" and "unyielding" in those areas where God is unyielding. Being unyielding on anything and everything is not. mark of spirituality.