Traditionally, exegetes have treated Philippians 4:2-3 as a random observation, or one might say, an ecclesiastical footnote; whereas verses 4-9 focus on where the meditation of the Christian ought to lie. Educational ideas, helpful in most circumstances, have led to the classic trivium a of truth, goodness, and beauty. Matters of aesthetics have also been drawn from this text. I am not denying that these issues ought to be drawn from these texts, I am arguing, however, whether the transition from verses 2-3 and 4-9 are as radical as commentators seem to imply. Are these two pericopes dealing with two completely different ideas. What if, as my colleague Gregg Strawbridge proposes, verses 4-9 are peace offerings, a kind of conflict resolution manual to the dilemma presented in verses 2-3? What if the list offered provides a biblical way of thinking and dealing with conflict within the Church?
The “rejoicing in the Lord” (vs. 4) appears to be a first of principles in considering our conflict with others. Our union with Jesus is cause for celebration; our union with Jesus ought to lead us to directly consider our union with fellow brothers and sisters. This union is cause for rejoicing…and reconciliation.
