Philippians 4:8-14 (NRSV) Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
When my Hebrew students were reading out loud, I would tell them that I could tell whether they knew what they were reading by the way they “voiced” the sentence. When we ask a question, our voice goes up a bit at the end: Really? If we are going to continue the sentence, it will stay on the same level of voice: “a really long train.” If we are at the end of a statement, our voice will drop down a little bit. “I heard you. Really I did.”
“Whatever” is often used by people who dismiss what we are saying and want to get us to be quiet, who do not believe our viewpoint. They use it in that last sense: “Oh, well, whatever!” The voice drops down for the “ever.” It could be accompanied by a wave of the hand in the air: “Go away now. Whatever you say is not worth hearing.” Sadly, our old nature thinks that way about the Gospel: “Yah, sure, whatever. But I do not really buy it!” The Holy Spirit delivers us by grace from such a dismissive attitude.
Paul uses “whatever” in the second sense: “Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy, think about these things. Keep doing what you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you!” You are valued in Christ.
I mentioned last month that there may have been tensions among members in Philippi. Not all was as happy as some might suggest. Sometimes the most important elements are in the center of a letter, sometimes toward the end when the foundational elements of the Gospel are established. It is almost as if Paul is leading up to this moment: It is so easy always to be carping at what is wrong. Any explanation is treated with a “whatever.” We are each to carry out our responsibilities. Paul reminds us that we are not God over others, but co-workers in His kingdom, using our gifts for the common good. Someone has said that one needs seven affirmations before a suggested correction. We are not to destroy the good work of others or motivate by putting them down and questioning their hearts.
Let us continue to love each other, in Christ our Savior, rejoice in each other’s gifts, and encourage each other in our walk through the challenges of this world. We need each other. The Spirit helps us.
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XVI, Number 3, October 2014)