Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
The word rejoice is an important word to Paul as he writes to the Philippians believers. Note:
Philippians 1:18 (ESV)
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
Philippians 2:17 (ESV)
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:28 (ESV)
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
Philippians 3:1 (ESV)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Philippians 4:10 (ESV)
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
The word is the Greek word chairō. It is translated in the New Testament the following ways:
- Rejoice 42,
- be glad 14,
- joy 5,
- hail 5,
- greeting 3,
- God speed 2,
- all hail 1,
- joyfully 1,
- farewell 1;
Paul believes that those who have been saved by the power of God’s love and the substitutionary atonement of Christ’s blood, who are filled with the power of the Spirit, should rejoice, no matter the circumstances they face. What makes this thought even more powerful is that Paul is writing this letter while in prison in Rome. Paul is practicing his preaching. Despite our struggling, God is calling us to rejoice in Him and in what He has done for us vs. what might be happening to us. Rejoice!
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