"shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
What is this promise that we are given about the peace of God? What does it mean when it says that God's peace, imparted to us, shall keep (or "guard" as some translations use) our hearts and our minds through Christ Jesus?
When I come across a phrase that I really don't think I have the full understanding of, I go to commentaries that may help me see something that I haven't before. Commentaries are just that...people's comments on the subject matter based on their study and their personal convictions. Some commentaries I agree with, some I don't. You cannot accept commentaries as Holy Scripture, but you can utilize them to push your brain to look at a verse in a different way and, weighing that valuation against other Scripture, decide if you agree or not. But most importantly, commentary has to agree with other Scriptures on the same subject; reference to other Scriptures as supporting arguments for the view stated is always helpful as well. So let's look at a few commentaries on this portion of Philippians 4:7:
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
shall keep--rather, "shall guard"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold ( Isaiah 26:1 Isaiah 26:3 ). The same Greek verb is used in 1 Peter 1:5 . There shall be peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege.
hearts and minds--rather, "hearts (the seat of the thoughts) and thoughts" or purposes.
through--rather as Greek, "in Christ Jesus." It is in Christ that we are "kept" or "guarded" secure.
John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament
"His peace, the peace of God Himself, shall keep our hearts. It does not say that our hearts shall keep the peace of God; but, having cast our burden on Him whose peace nothing can disturb, His peace keeps our hearts. Our trouble is before Him, and the constant peace of the God of love, who takes charge of everything and knows all beforehand, quiets our disburdened hearts, and imparts to us the peace which is in Himself and which is above all understanding (or at least keeps our hearts by it), even as He Himself is above all the circumstances that can disquiet us, and above the poor human heart that is troubled by them. Oh, what grace! that even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvellous peace, if we know how to bring them to God, and true He is."
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
"The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."
People's New Testament
"And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. Shall keep your hearts. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure."
Do reading through these commentaries increase your understanding of the promise that we are given as a result of the peace of God abiding in us? I read through them and I can linger over the words and let them sink into my soul, especially those of John Darby regarding this verse. "Oh what grace! That even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvelous peace." And I also appreciate Matthew Henry's statement that God's peace "will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them, keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."
Yes - these commentaries help me. They help me not only understand God's Word better, but to feel a connection with my Christian brothers of long ago, studying the same words of Scripture and being comforted and enlightened by them.
I wish for you a day of peacefulness, a day when in your heart and in your minds you know that God is in control and that He loves you.
What is this promise that we are given about the peace of God? What does it mean when it says that God's peace, imparted to us, shall keep (or "guard" as some translations use) our hearts and our minds through Christ Jesus?
When I come across a phrase that I really don't think I have the full understanding of, I go to commentaries that may help me see something that I haven't before. Commentaries are just that...people's comments on the subject matter based on their study and their personal convictions. Some commentaries I agree with, some I don't. You cannot accept commentaries as Holy Scripture, but you can utilize them to push your brain to look at a verse in a different way and, weighing that valuation against other Scripture, decide if you agree or not. But most importantly, commentary has to agree with other Scriptures on the same subject; reference to other Scriptures as supporting arguments for the view stated is always helpful as well. So let's look at a few commentaries on this portion of Philippians 4:7:
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
shall keep--rather, "shall guard"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold ( Isaiah 26:1 Isaiah 26:3 ). The same Greek verb is used in 1 Peter 1:5 . There shall be peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege.
hearts and minds--rather, "hearts (the seat of the thoughts) and thoughts" or purposes.
through--rather as Greek, "in Christ Jesus." It is in Christ that we are "kept" or "guarded" secure.
John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament
"His peace, the peace of God Himself, shall keep our hearts. It does not say that our hearts shall keep the peace of God; but, having cast our burden on Him whose peace nothing can disturb, His peace keeps our hearts. Our trouble is before Him, and the constant peace of the God of love, who takes charge of everything and knows all beforehand, quiets our disburdened hearts, and imparts to us the peace which is in Himself and which is above all understanding (or at least keeps our hearts by it), even as He Himself is above all the circumstances that can disquiet us, and above the poor human heart that is troubled by them. Oh, what grace! that even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvellous peace, if we know how to bring them to God, and true He is."
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
"The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."
People's New Testament
"And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. Shall keep your hearts. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure."
Do reading through these commentaries increase your understanding of the promise that we are given as a result of the peace of God abiding in us? I read through them and I can linger over the words and let them sink into my soul, especially those of John Darby regarding this verse. "Oh what grace! That even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvelous peace." And I also appreciate Matthew Henry's statement that God's peace "will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them, keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."
Yes - these commentaries help me. They help me not only understand God's Word better, but to feel a connection with my Christian brothers of long ago, studying the same words of Scripture and being comforted and enlightened by them.
I wish for you a day of peacefulness, a day when in your heart and in your minds you know that God is in control and that He loves you.
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