Categorization of Philippians 4:7

Christian Alexander

I believe it is critical to maintain "understanding" in verse 7 related to verse 6 where, rather than attempting to figure everything out, we are far safer trusting God. Paul was referring to the peace of God, not worldly peace. Human tranquility can only be felt when there are no issues. As a result, people who only know human tranquility experience it less frequently and to a smaller extent. How can this be interpreted? None of my commentaries really touched on this issue. Is Philippians 4:7 a blessing or a promise? I am trying to determine its theological significance. 

MJ. Smith

Christian Alexander said:

I am trying to determine its theological significance. 

This is a big clue that this is a theological question and therefore not appropriate for the forums. I would start looking at the virtues of apatheia, equanimity, and serenity and their relationship to peace. See for example Nguyen, Joseph H. Apatheia in the Christian Tradition: An Ancient Spirituality and Its Contemporary Relevance. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2018.

example:

[quote]

In addressing the problem posed by passions, Maximus relies on apatheia, or detachment, that is, “a peaceful state of the soul in which it becomes resistant to vice.” Unassisted by apatheia, the mind—which the Confessor identifies with “the inner man”—easily loses its spiritual focus, like “a little sparrow whose foot is tied tries to fly but is pulled to earth by the cord to which it is bound.” Along with Evagrius, who praises detachment as “the flower of practical activity” and credits it with “engendering love,” the Confessor espouses apatheia as spiritual liberation that opens one up to a direct divinizing relationship with God.

Elena Vishnevskaya, “Divinization and Spiritual Progress in Maximus the Confessor,” in Theōsis: Deification in Christian Theology, ed. K. C. Hanson, Stephen Finlan, and Vladimir Kharlamov, vol. 52, Princeton Theological Monograph Series (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2006), 139.

Christian Alexander said:

Human tranquility can only be felt when there are no issues. As a result, people who only know human tranquility experience it less frequently and to a smaller extent.

This does not correspond to my experience or the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers or the teachings of the mystics or basic Buddhism.

xnman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281544#Comment_1281544

I thought it was not appropriate to teach theology on the forums??? 

ReformedDoc

Christian, look at it from this perspective that we have eternal peace with God the Father through Jesus who bared our sins on the cross and is our Mediator to the Father on our behalf. No earthly peace can even come close to that kind of peace. 

Olli-Pekka Ylisuutari

One of my favourite Bible thoughts: “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…” (Philippians 4: 7)!

Christian Alexander said:

Is Philippians 4:7 a blessing or a promise?

Exegetically, when read in context (“context is king”), could it be that it´s opposite is the anxiousness that st. Paul speaks about in the previous verse (verse 6)? To which prayer and thanksgiving is an answer – and God’s peace is a result, maybe..?

Isn’t this a part of a parenthetical passage at the end of every Pauline epistle? They usually contain many small admonitions and exhortations. (Of course, they also contain blessings...)

Perhaps it's a promised blessing (if those are the two options)..? [;)]  Somehow God’s “understanding-surpassing peace” is related to prayer and thanksgiving.

Also contextually, the word νοῦν, noun, “understanding” is of the same root as the word νοήματα, noeemata, “minds” in the same verse later, just a few words after it.

Christian Alexander said:

I believe it is critical to maintain "understanding" in verse 7 related to verse 6

Perhaps not just verse 7 in relation to verse 6, but also in relation to verse 8?

What I'm asking: Could the νοῦν, noun, “understanding” be the faculty of the mind that “thinks” (λογίζομαι, logizomai) (in the next verse 8) of true, honorable, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy things?

Christian Alexander said:

Human tranquility can only be felt when there are no issues.

At least with St. Paul, God's peace or tranquility was not dependent on “when there are no issues” (quoting Christian). After all, he wrote Philippians from jail, did he not?

Peace to all! Christmas Peace!

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281557#Comment_1281557

xnman said:

I thought it was not appropriate to teach theology on the forums??? 

You are correct. That doesn't mean one can't suggest vocabulary that might be more useful in a search. However, if you wish to ding me for 

MJ. Smith said:

This does not correspond to my experience or the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers or the teachings of the mystics or basic Buddhism.

I will make no defense.

xnman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281826#Comment_1281826

Not wishing to ding anyone.... just saying... and I tried to show this before.... that it is easy to use what Christian asks to teach an ideology. I think Christian should be more careful.... 

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281859#Comment_1281859

xnman said:

I think Christian should be more careful.... 

Most people who respond to Christian try to avoid teaching any specific point of view and encourage him to learn to do the research on his own. It is a very difficult fine line to tread when we know him only through the forums. One of the issues I try to work with him on is vocabulary - the terms used today are not necessarily the same terms used 200 years ago to describe the same theological idea. That is even true of Bible translations. Also the terms used by different theological streams may differ - broadening the vocabulary used in the search may also increase the number of accurate results. As for his theology, I try to stay out of it as it is far outside my expertise.