Phil. 4:2-3 - Harmony

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

This final section of the letter pulls together his encouragements and thoughts.

Vs. 2 - “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.”

“live in harmony in the Lord.” - Paul says in Rom. 12:18 “If at all possible, live in peace with each other.” Living in harmony with other believers is a common theme in letters from Paul, or Peter, or John. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) A command from the top - Love each other!
We don’t know anything about the dispute between these women. (See Note 1) Whatever the problem, it was destructive enough to be mentioned in the report delivered by Epaphroditus. That is my guess since Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to Paul in Rome. He delivered the relevant news of the church to Paul.

Vs 3 - “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ”

“True companion” - Paul realizes he cannot resolve this from long distance, so he implores others to help. Again, no indication who the true comrade might be. It could be Epaphroditus, a trusted associate who is carrying this letter back to Philippi. It could be Clement, mentioned later in the verse (I think Clement is unlikely since Paul mentions him as an aside later in the letter. If the true companion were Clement, wouldn’t Paul have addressed him directly?). Or, it is another trusted believer, Timothy - I don’t know.

- “help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel” - Two people so committed to the gospel message should not be at odds to the degree that the church and gospel is besmirched. Focusing on their differences is diverting their attention from the task of spreading the gospel.
It is quite possible the dispute between these two workers had nothing to do with ‘doctrine’. Paul would have addressed the problem if it was about the salvation message, for example: “Salvation is through faith in Christ, and in Christ alone”. (1 Cor. 2:2) He did not hesitate to clarify that at anytime. (See also the letter to the Galatians.)

- “together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers,” - Other than his name, nothing is known about Clement mentioned here. One of the early “Church Fathers” in the late 2nd (100-199 A.D.) or early 3rd century (200-299 A.D) was named Clement. More than 40-50 years separate this letters and the church leader ‘Clement’, so most likely these are two different people.

- “whose names are in the book of life.” - The term, “Book of Life”, is only mentioned here and in Revelation. But the concept that God knows all and has it recorded is throughout the Bible. (See: Exo. 32:32; Psa. 69:28; Isa. 4:3; Eze. 13:9; Dan. 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Heb. 12:23)
God does not need to have it written down so as not to forget - He is omniscient! I believe this is for our benefit, since we forget things. It is to show us that none and nothing will be forgotten. Believers will not be left behind by accident! Non-believers will not ‘slip’ through by omission. There is a TV situation comedy, “The Good Place”, in which an error is made allowing an unrepentant sinner into the Good Place. No such errors will happen in real afterlife.

(Note 1: These names are pronounced “Euodia” = yew-OH-dee-ah, and “Syntyche” = soon-TOOK-ee. Curious minds want to know...)
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Phil. 4:1 - Stand Firm

1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

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Vs. 1 - “my beloved” - This phrase is repeated twice in this verse. Paul’s feelings toward the believers in this church are made known throughout the letter. He longs to see them.
He seriously weighs which is more important: being in heaven with Jesus, or staying here to help them grow! (Phil. 1:22-24) That is how much he cares for them - asking Jesus to let him remain so as to help the believers! Can you imagine it for yourself? They are his joy! They are his crown!

- “Stand firm in the Lord” - Remain strong! Look back to chapter 3. Look at all the encouragement he offers them. He exhorts them:
Only Christ matters!
There is more to know about Christ!
Press on!
Follow our example!

This verse is a transition in the letter from instructions and exhortations to closing thoughts and goodbyes. Some sort of disagreement has arisen between a couple of believers. He urges them to get along with each other, and asks for others to step in to heal the rift.
He offers one last encouragement in verses 4 through 13, some of the most well-known in the epistles. I would guess verses 4, 6, and 13 are memorized and quoted more than many others.

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Phil. 3:20-21 - Eagerly Waiting for Heaven

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Waiting For A Savior

Vs. 20 - “For our citizenship is in heaven” - “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“ (Col. 1:13, 14). Jesus has rescued us from Satan’s clutches. (Eph. 6:12; Acts 26:18; Rom. 5:10; 8:21) The kingdom of God is not of this world, nor made of men’s imagination, nor in the image of men. (Acts 17:29; John 18:36) Better than being a citizen of the kingdom is being a friend. (John 15:15) Better than being a friend is being a child of the king! (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16, 17; Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:2, 10; 5:12).

“From which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” - Paul is anticipating Christ’s return. Christ told the disciples He was returning to heaven, and would come back for them so they could be with Him. (John 14:2,3) We, too will join Him and the other faithful believers. No one knows when Christ will return, it may be soon. (Mark 13:28,29; Matt. 24:36; Rev. 1:3; 22:10) We are encouraged to be ready. Jesus gave us a parable, reminding us to be prepared. (Matt. 25:1-13)
The various English translations of this sentence seem a little fractured. We are not waiting from heaven. We are waiting for our Savior to come from heaven.

Vs. 21 - “who will transform the body of our humble state” - John says it clearly in his first letter: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2) Our natural body, the body of sin will die. We will be given a new uncorrupted, incorruptible body when we are resurrected to be with Him. That concept, we will have a new body which will be just like Jesus’ resurrected body, is what Paul means by “conforming with the body of His glory.”

“By the exertion of the power...” - How does He do this? All things have been given to Him, and He has plenary power over all things. (See: Heb. 2:8) Jesus voluntarily gave up the use of His power to do the will of God - to die for our sin, to save the world. He resurrected and ascended to heaven, and placed in power and authority. (See: Acts 2:33,34, 5:31; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 3:22) Think on this: if Jesus had not been resurrected (and witnessed by others) there would be no way to know that His sacrifice was accepted and successful! His resurrection and ascension into heaven indicates that He has the power to do what He said He would do. By His unlimited omnipotent power our old corrupt bodies will be transformed to new bodies which will be glorious like Him! Not our old bodies repaired and fixed up, but new bodies suitable for the new self He gives us!
Can I hear an “Amen!”

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End of Chapter
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Phil. 3:18-19 - Many Enemies of Christ

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Belligerent Pride

Vs. 18 - “For many... are enemies of the cross of Christ. ” - What a contrast from the previous verses! Rejoicing with believers in Christ versus weeping for those who are enemies of Christ. (Verses are parenthetical, in that Paul has been encouraging the church to think of “the incredible value of knowing Christ” and “living to the high standard” mentioned in previous verses, contrasting with the “dogs, and evil workers”.)

Vs. 19 - “Whose end... whose god... whose glory... who set their minds... ” The enemies of Christ: Paul leads with their ultimate end, and shows why in the next three phrases.

“ whose end is destruction” - Our souls and spirits are eternal, and there are only two (2) possible eternal options: Eternally in the presence of our Holy God, or eternal separation from Him. There are no good and pleasant descriptions of Hell. Some people who say that when we die there is just cessation of existence. So, the reasoning goes: if we don’t go to heaven, what’s the big deal?
A different scene is presented in the “great white throne” judgment in Revelation. All of creation stands before God, and those whose names are not in the Lamb’s Book of Life are cast into Hell where there is weeping and wailing. Part of the wailing and weeping in Hell is because people have seen the glory of God, and realize that forever they will never experience that again. Oh, the horror. (See: John 3:36; Psa. 73:15-17; Eze. 33:11; Rev. 20:11-15)

“whose god is their appetite” - We cannot serve God and our flesh at the same time. When we let our personal wants and desires drive our actions, we let love of the world control us. (Matt. 6:24; Rom. 1:15-23; Jam. 1:13-15; 1 John 5:12-15; Rev. 18:9-19) This is not a screed against being rich. It is a warning that money cannot buy salvation or eternal life with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit,

“whose glory is in their shame” - Committing sin, and proud of it! I’ve heard it said, “I would rather be playing cards and drinking in Hell than being bored in heaven.” (BTW: No, neither heaven nor hell will be like that!) This belligerent pride is what produces “Give a shout out for your abortion”, promoting “Nude Bike rides”, or “Gay Pride Days”, or advertising a “Swinging Lifestyle”. Because people are not crushed the moment they sin, they begin to believe no one - especially God - has seen, and they will get away with it. (See: Rom. 1:15-23)

“who set their minds on earthly things” - Working at ignoring God and His appeals to us. This may be in relation to riches and acquiring possessions. (See: Luke 12:15; Matt. 6:31-34; Col. 3:2; 1 John 5:12-15)

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