Reading for February 25th

 Read Philippians 4.8-20. In 4.8-20: A call for consistency in all situations. A brief, poetic passage commends right thinking and right action (vv. 8-9) and notes the proper attitude toward changing circumstances (vv. 10-20). In verses 8-9: The whatever statements indicate a series of attitudes for living that can help the community face any difficulty. In verse 10: Revived your concern, the Philippians maintained concern for Paul even when they could not express it. In verses 10-13: Paul's attitude resembles Cynic and Stoic discussions of his time, but he does not see the source of endurance in himself. Paul challenges the Philippians to learn the value of "humiliations," shunned by conventional society but reinforced elsewhere in the letter (2.3, 8; 3.21). In verses 15-19: The community never lacked concern for him (v. 10), even though he neither needed or sought it. They reward is from God. In verse 16: Paul never accepted gifts from a church while he was with them (see 1 Cor 9.1; 1 Thess 2.9; 2 Cor 8.1-5). In verse 18: On sacrifice, see 2.17. Comments or Questions..