Post by Cindy on Mar 25, 2019 10:57:27 GMT -5
“Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men.” PHILIPPIANS 4:5
✧✧✧
Real humility will have a forbearance that is gracious toward others and content with its own circumstances.
Some Greek words have various meanings that are hard to translate into just one English word. This is true of “forbearing” in today’s verse. It can refer to contentment, gentleness, generosity, or goodwill toward others. Some commentators say it means having leniency toward the faults and failures of others. Other scholars say it denotes someone who is patient and submissive toward injustice and mistreatment—one who doesn’t lash back in angry bitterness. It reminds us very much of humility.
The humble believer trusts God and does not hold a grudge even though others have unfairly treated him, harmed him, or ruined his reputation. Such a person does not demand his rights. Instead, he will pattern his behavior after his Lord Jesus, who in supreme humility manifested God’s grace to us (Rom. 5:10).
If you are conscientiously following Christ, your behavior will go against the existentialism of modern society. Existentialism claims the right to do or say anything that makes one feel good. Today’s existentialist unbeliever has a twisted logic that says, “If something makes you feel good but hurts me, you can’t do it. But if something makes me feel good but hurts you, I can do it.”
Unhappily, many believers have been caught up in that kind of thinking. They don’t call it existentialism—self–esteem or positive thinking are the preferred terms—but the results are much the same. Such Christians do what satisfies their desires, often at the expense of other people. At its core, this kind of attitude is simply sinful self–love.
In contrast to such self–love, Philippians 4:5 exhorts us to exhibit humble forbearance and graciousness to others. Other Scriptures command us to love our enemies and show mercy to those who sin (Matt. 5:44; 1 Peter 4:8). Such qualities allowed the apostle Paul to say, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11). God wants us to be just as humble and content with our circumstances.
✧✧✧
Suggestions for Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you remain content in the midst of all that happens to you today.
For Further Study: Read Jesus’ parable about mercy and compassion in Matthew 18:21–35. What parallels do you find between the parable and our study of forbearance? ✧ What kind of priority does Jesus give these issues?
MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today
It can help us understand a verse better when we look at how other versions translate it. In this case, viewing other versions illustrates what MacArthur says:
ESV | Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
NIV | Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
AV | Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
GW | Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near.
1901 ASV | Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
D-R | Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.
NCV | Let everyone see that you are gentle & kind. The Lord is coming soon.
NASB95 | Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
NLT | Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
NET | Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!
NRSV | Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
The rest of them are the same as one of these. For those who don't normally check others versions, please know that normally all the versions pretty much say the same thing. It's rare to have so many differences as this one does. The reason this happened though is because of the many ways the word in the original language can be translated, therefore all of the versions are correct.
THE LORD IS NEAR
The Lord Jesus Christ encompasses all believers with His presence (Ps. 119:151). When you have a thought, the Lord is near to read it; when you pray, the Lord is near to hear it; when you need His strength and power, He is near to provide it. In fact, He lives in you and is the source of your spiritual life. An awareness of His presence will keep you from being anxious or unstable.
Knowing the Lord is near helps us “be anxious for nothing” because we know He can handle everything we encounter. Fretting and worrying indicate a lack of trust in God. Either you’ve created another god who can’t help you, or else you believe God could help you but refuses, which means you are questioning His integrity and Word. So delight in the Lord and meditate on His Word (Ps. 1:2). Know who He is and how He acts. Then you’ll be able to say, “The Lord is near, so I’m not going to worry.”
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace
✧✧✧
Real humility will have a forbearance that is gracious toward others and content with its own circumstances.
Some Greek words have various meanings that are hard to translate into just one English word. This is true of “forbearing” in today’s verse. It can refer to contentment, gentleness, generosity, or goodwill toward others. Some commentators say it means having leniency toward the faults and failures of others. Other scholars say it denotes someone who is patient and submissive toward injustice and mistreatment—one who doesn’t lash back in angry bitterness. It reminds us very much of humility.
The humble believer trusts God and does not hold a grudge even though others have unfairly treated him, harmed him, or ruined his reputation. Such a person does not demand his rights. Instead, he will pattern his behavior after his Lord Jesus, who in supreme humility manifested God’s grace to us (Rom. 5:10).
If you are conscientiously following Christ, your behavior will go against the existentialism of modern society. Existentialism claims the right to do or say anything that makes one feel good. Today’s existentialist unbeliever has a twisted logic that says, “If something makes you feel good but hurts me, you can’t do it. But if something makes me feel good but hurts you, I can do it.”
Unhappily, many believers have been caught up in that kind of thinking. They don’t call it existentialism—self–esteem or positive thinking are the preferred terms—but the results are much the same. Such Christians do what satisfies their desires, often at the expense of other people. At its core, this kind of attitude is simply sinful self–love.
In contrast to such self–love, Philippians 4:5 exhorts us to exhibit humble forbearance and graciousness to others. Other Scriptures command us to love our enemies and show mercy to those who sin (Matt. 5:44; 1 Peter 4:8). Such qualities allowed the apostle Paul to say, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11). God wants us to be just as humble and content with our circumstances.
✧✧✧
Suggestions for Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you remain content in the midst of all that happens to you today.
For Further Study: Read Jesus’ parable about mercy and compassion in Matthew 18:21–35. What parallels do you find between the parable and our study of forbearance? ✧ What kind of priority does Jesus give these issues?
MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today
It can help us understand a verse better when we look at how other versions translate it. In this case, viewing other versions illustrates what MacArthur says:
ESV | Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
NIV | Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
AV | Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
GW | Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near.
1901 ASV | Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
D-R | Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.
NCV | Let everyone see that you are gentle & kind. The Lord is coming soon.
NASB95 | Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
NLT | Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
NET | Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!
NRSV | Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
The rest of them are the same as one of these. For those who don't normally check others versions, please know that normally all the versions pretty much say the same thing. It's rare to have so many differences as this one does. The reason this happened though is because of the many ways the word in the original language can be translated, therefore all of the versions are correct.
THE LORD IS NEAR
The Lord Jesus Christ encompasses all believers with His presence (Ps. 119:151). When you have a thought, the Lord is near to read it; when you pray, the Lord is near to hear it; when you need His strength and power, He is near to provide it. In fact, He lives in you and is the source of your spiritual life. An awareness of His presence will keep you from being anxious or unstable.
Knowing the Lord is near helps us “be anxious for nothing” because we know He can handle everything we encounter. Fretting and worrying indicate a lack of trust in God. Either you’ve created another god who can’t help you, or else you believe God could help you but refuses, which means you are questioning His integrity and Word. So delight in the Lord and meditate on His Word (Ps. 1:2). Know who He is and how He acts. Then you’ll be able to say, “The Lord is near, so I’m not going to worry.”
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace
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