One of the key themes in Philippians is joy. “Joy” is mentioned in one way or another nineteen times in these four brief chapters.

One of the key themes in Philippians is joy. “Joy” is mentioned in one way or another nineteen times in these four brief chapters. Another emphasis is the mind. As we read Philippians, note how many times Paul talks about remembering and thinking. We can summarize the theme of the book as “the Christlike mind that brings Christian joy.”

Paul tells us in this verse what to think about; if you compare these virtues to Ps. 19:7–9, you will see that the Word of God meets all of these requirements. Meditation on the Word of God will always bring peace (Ps. 119:165).

Paul uses a military metaphor in describing the activity of God’s peace, which is almost personified. Will guard, phrourēsei, is better expressed in the military language of ‘will keep guard over’ (cf. 2 Cor. 11:32 for the verb in this sense). The Philippians, living in a garrison town, would be familiar with the sight of the Roman sentry, maintaining his watch. Likewise, comments the apostle, God’s peace will garrison and protect your hearts and your minds.

The present verse is governed by the verb think, logizesthe, which means more than ‘keep in mind’ (Moffatt). It is rather ‘take into account (logos), reflect upon and then allow these things to shape your conduct’.

A stoic term may be used; but it is Christ who is the secret of Paul’s serenity (1:21).

But there is more to be said about the achievement he has gained. His ‘self-sufficiency’ and equanimity in meeting all life’s demands has not come through a mechanical self-discipline or fixed resolution such as the stoic practised (cf. the modern counterpart in Henley’s poem ‘Invictus’).

content—The Greek, literally expresses “independent of others, and having sufficiency in one’s self.” But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God

Content (αὐτάρκης). Lit., self-sufficient. Only here in the New Testament. A stoic word, expressing the favorite doctrine of the sect, that man should be sufficient to himself for all things; able, by the power of his own will, to resist the shock of circumstance. Paul is self-sufficient through the power of the new self: not he, but Christ in him.

B. Right thinking (v. 8).

Peace involves the mind (see Isa. 26:3 and Rom. 8:6). Thoughts are powerful; “as he thinketh, so he is” (Prov. 23:7). Wrong thoughts will lead to unrest and discouragement, but spiritual thinking will lead to peace. Paul tells us in this verse what to think about; if you compare these virtues to Ps. 19:7–9, you will see that the Word of God meets all of these requirements. Meditation on the Word of God will always bring peace (Ps. 119:165).

contentment The Greek word used here, autarkeia, refers to satisfaction with one’s circumstances. Stoic philosophers valued contentment because it indicated self-sufficiency. The Apostle Paul, however, values contentment because it indicates Christ’s sufficiency (see Phil 4:11, 13).

Contentment (αὐταρκείας). Only here and 2 Cor. 9:8. The adjective αὐτάρκης self-sufficient, Philip. 4:11. Comp. Sir. 40:18. Αὐτάρκης is an inward self-sufficiency, as opposed to the lack or the desire of outward things. It was a favourite Stoic word, expressing the doctrine of that sect that a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances.

Contentment (αὐταρκείας). Only here and 2 Cor. 9:8. The adjective αὐτάρκης self-sufficient, Philip. 4:11. Comp. Sir. 40:18. Αὐτάρκης is an inward self-sufficiency, as opposed to the lack or the desire of outward things. It was a favourite Stoic word, expressing the doctrine of that sect that a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances.