Philippians: Rejoice! Let Your Gentle Spirit be Known
Philippians 3:4-5; Galatians 5:22-23 - Rejoice, Rejoice!! Be gentle! The Lord is near!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:4-5 NASB1995
The next two verses of Philippians 4 are very short. First, Paul tells the saints at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord always and then repeats this imperative. He tells them to let their gentle spirit be known to all men, because the Lord is near. The AI image above that Steve created is meant to represent our two disagreeing women, Eudoia and Syntyche, reconciling in front of other brethren (and sisters) in the Lord.
So are we to rejoice in every circumstance in our lives? That’s impossible if you are caught up in the shadows of tragedy and turmoil in this fallen world. But we are to rejoice in the Lord, always! We can rejoice in what He has done for us! Precept Austin has this tremendous outline of sermon notes about Philippians 4:4 from the incomparable Charles Spurgeon (I could not write anything nearly as wonderful as this and these are just his sermon notes!):
Joy drives out discord. See how our text follows as a remedy upon the case of disagreement in the church, Php 4:1,2.
Joy helps against the trials of life. Hence it is mentioned as a preparation for the rest of faith which is prescribed in Php 4:6.
I. The grace commanded.
"Rejoice."
It is delightful: our soul's jubilee has come when joy enters.
It is demonstrative: it is more than peace; it sparkles, shines, sings. Why should it not? Joy is a bird; let it fly in the open heavens, and let its music be heard of all men.
It is stimulating, and urges its possessor to brave deeds.
It is influential for good. Sinners are attracted to Jesus by the joy of saints. More flies are caught with a spoonful of honey than a barrel of vinegar.
It is contagious. Others are gladdened by our rejoicing.
It is commanded. It is not left optional, but made imperative. We are as much commanded to rejoice as to keep the Sabbath.
It is commanded because joy makes us like God.
It is commanded because it is for our profit.
It is commanded because it is good for others.
II. The joy discriminated.
"In the Lord."
As to sphere. "In the Lord." This is that sacred circle wherein a Christian's life should be always spent.
As to object. "In the Lord."
We should rejoice in the Lord God, Father, Son, and Spirit.
We should rejoice in the Lord Jesus, dead, risen, etc.
Not in temporals, personal, political, or pecuniary.
Nor in special privileges, which involve greater responsibility.
Nor even in religious successes. "In this rejoice not, that the devils are subject unto you through my word, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven": Luke 10:20.
Nor in self and its doings. Phil. 3:3.
III. The time appointed.
"Always."
When you cannot rejoice in any other, rejoice in God.
When you can rejoice in other things, sanctify all with joy in God.
When you have not before rejoiced, begin at once.
When you have long rejoiced, do not cease for a moment.
When others are with you, lead them in this direction.
When you are alone, enjoy to the full this rejoicing.
IV. The emphasis laid on the command.
"Again I say, Rejoice."Paul repeats his exhortation,
To show his love to them. He is intensely anxious that they should share his joy.
To suggest the difficulty of continual joy. He twice commands, because we are slow to obey.
To assert the possibility of it. After second thoughts, he feels that he may fitly repeat the exhortation.
To impress the importance of the duty. Whatever else you forget, remember this: Be sure to rejoice.
To allow of special personal testimony. "Again I say, Rejoice."
Paul rejoiced. He was habitually a happy man.
This epistle to the Philippians is peculiarly joyous.
Let us look it through. The apostle is joyful throughout:
He sweetens prayer with joy: Php 1:4.
He rejoices that Christ is preached: Php 1:18.
He wishes to live to gladden the church: Php 1:25.
To see the members like-minded with his joy: Php 2:2.
It was his joy that he should not run in vain: Php 2:16.
His farewell to them was, "Rejoice in the Lord": Php 3:1.
He speaks of those who rejoice in Christ Jesus: Php Php 3:3.
He calls his converts his joy and his crown: Php 4:1.
To all our friends let us use this as a blessing: "Rejoice in the Lord."
This is only a choicer way of saying, Be happy; Fare ye well.
Joy is commanded! It is in the Lord! It is constant and it is emphasized again by Paul! I like the idea of using it as a blessing to others.
By the way, I make no apologies for sharing Spurgeon’s works on this site (Steve also shares his writings quite often). Many would find him controversial because he was an unapologetic Calvinist and Baptist. We can certainly learn and admire his love for Christ and his way with words without getting caught up in the maelstrom and finger-pointing of Calvinism versus Arminianism versus Lutheranism versus Reformed versus Anglican versus Catholic versus whatever else was on that spaghetti chart of denominations I’ve shared several times. I honestly believe denominationalism has become a way for imperfect humans to try and explain the unexplainable: God’s infinite mystery, His perfection, His power, His love and His gift of grace through Christ Jesus. We can also learn from other great Christian writers and preachers such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, David Guzik, Martin Luther, John MacArthur, John Piper…the list is quite long these days.
Folks may not know this about Charles Spurgeon, especially after reading that delightful outline for the sermon on Philippians 4:4. He suffered from depression and discouragement his entire life. He even wrote a short book about it - Encouragement for the Depressed. I can’t say that I suffer from depression but I do have a somewhat gloomy outlook driven by my relentless perfectionism (still working on that) and my “worst case” awfulism (is that a word?). I always think the worst scenario is going to happen in some circumstance, even after my return to faith tells me that the Lord will be with me even if the worst does happen (this tendency has lessened to a degree). There will be much more about that when we reach the key life verses in Philippians 4:6-7 (my next devotional).
Paul also wants his fellow believers to let their gentle spirit be seen. Gentleness is, of course, one of the fruit of the Spirit that was described in Galatians 5:22-23. Enduring Word has good commentary on gentleness:
Let your gentleness be known: Paul used an interesting ancient Greek word (epieikeia) that is translated gentleness here. Other translations of the Bible translate epieikeia as patience, softness, the patient mind, modesty, forbearance, the forbearing spirit, or magnanimity.
“The word epieikes is of very extensive signification; it means the same as epieikeia, mildness, patience, yieldingness, gentleness, clemency, moderation, unwillingness to litigate or contend; but moderation is expressive enough as a general term.” (Adam Clarke)
A good example of this quality is when Jesus showed gentleness with the woman who was taken in adultery in a set-up and brought to Jesus. He knew how to show a holy gentleness to her.
This word describes the heart of a person who will let the Lord fight his battles. He knows that vengeance is Mine, says the Lord (Romans 12:19). It describes a person who is really free to let go of His anxieties and all the things that cause him stress, because he knows that the Lord will take up his cause.
Be known to all men: The sphere is broad. We show this gentleness to all men, not just to whom we please.
Reconciliation comes through humility and gentleness. Our world today is characterized by anti-gentleness. Strangers argue with each other on social media and no grace is given whatsoever to differing opinions. The two women that Paul speaks about can be reconciled if they practice the fruit of the Spirit, repeated below. We can also be reconciled to others if we think about being kind and gentle and practicing self-control instead reacting to every slight. By the way, true humility comes through embracing all of these fruit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NASB1995
Saul Church, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland (on the site of St. Patrick’s first church service in Ireland). Photo copyright © Steven and Barbara Sande
Paul drops one other key nugget in these two short verses: The Lord is near. This is always a comforting thought! When I was researching commentary for this devotional, I ran across a fantastic prayer from St. Patrick that I love (yes, the saint that inspired green-dyed rivers and endless draughts of Guinness beer on March 17 every year). About ten years ago, we did a cruise that visited Northern Ireland and we participated in an excursion that followed the trail of that beloved Saint. We learned a lot about St. Patrick and his history and the celebration in his name these days does not live up to his legacy. He wrote a prayer that is just wonderful (I have it on a card sitting on my desk that I bought at Down Cathedral, where St. Patrick is buried). It is known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer and is part of a longer prayer written over 1600 years ago:
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Paul would approve of this prayer, I would surmise.
My next devotional examines Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing….as Bible readers might suspect, these are two frequently marked and memorized verses and I look forward to studying them!
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - I pray the St. Patrick prayer (noted above), as praying this prayer brings us to rejoice in You always and draw near to You. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Precept Austin was accessed on 07/29/2025 to review commentary for Philippians 4:4-5.
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Beautifully written and I love Saint Patrick’s prayer. Would love to hear more of your trip to Northern Ireland.
And please quote Charles Spurgeon as much as possible, such an amazing man in the ways he interprets the word