In the Neighborhood

If you have ever attempted to buy or sell a house, you are aware that housing values are not determined by a single property. The values of the surrounding homes will have a great effect on the value of an individual home. Mortgage companies and home buyers are interested in the entire neighborhood. Whether other properties are well-maintained or neglected can affect the value positively or negatively of any individual home.

Favorite scriptures are often quoted without actually looking at the other, verses that surround them. These surrounding verses can significantly affect the meaning of the verse being considered. Individual verses must be taken in the context of others nearby. The meaning of an individual verse is greatly enhanced by the verses that precede and follow it. We must study the Scriptures in the full context of a larger passage to determine the meaning of any individual verse.

A chapter of Scripture that contains several often quoted verses is Philippians 4. When these verses are quoted separately they are powerful, yet one does not understand how they actually all fit together. By looking at the entire chapter (or better yet the entire letter) one can gain a new understanding of how these concepts fit together. These verses actually rely on each other.

Philippians 4 begins with these words from the apostle Paul. “Therefore, My brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” (Philippians 4:1 AMP) This conveys both affection and instruction to stand firm. Paul continues by encouraging believers to get along with each other as they labor together in sharing the gospel. It is following this command to get along that this ever popular verse falls. “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!” (v. 4) This pattern of behavior will show others the unshelfishness of true believers.

Almost immediately we find another often quoted passage. “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (v. 6-7) Quoted on its own, this passage seems totally unrelated to the rejoicing of the previous verse. Now prayer and thanksgiving are added to the rejoicing of the prior mandate. These together lead to that depth of peace.

Then, immediately after this, another common passage occurs.  “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” (v. 8) This verse contains the instructions on how to fulfill the mandates of the prior verses. Training our minds to intentionally focus on these admirable thoughts, we can combat unforgiveness and anxiety to obtain peace and joy in the Lord.

 Paul continues to encourage people to be in church that he is doing well even though he is imprisoned. He tells them, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” (v. 13) Then he commends and thinks them for the gifts that they have sent to him for the work of Christ through the years. Following this commendation he states, “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (v. 19) Their generosity will be rewarded by the Lord.

 After praising God and asking to be remembered to all the believers all finishes this letter with these words of blessing. “The grace (spiritual favor and blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) be with your spirit. Amen (so be it).” (v. 23)

 Looking at this chapter as a whole, we see many connections between these well loved verses. Far more than individual promises, the 23 versus a Philippians 4 work together to provide a much fuller meaning for each them. The value of each one is increased by seeing the value in each of the others.

 Take a walk through Scripture passages and see just how full your favorite verses are when they are placed alongside the other verses nearby. The value of the total will far exceed the individual.