The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading of the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Memento Nostri), Philippians 4:4–7, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
I. Several admonitions which partly concern particular persons and partly are directed toward godliness in general. (v. 1–9)
Annotated Text
4. Rejoice * in the Lord (Christ, who has done so much good for you) always (in both good and bad circumstances), and once more I say (I repeat it once again), Rejoice!
* Philippians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 13:11 (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
5. Let your * forbearance (good faith and equity) be known to all men (be friendly and peaceable toward all men, be they friend or foe; also yield your own right at times for the sake of the preservation of peace and unity, Matthew 5:5, 9, 25). † The Lord is near (The judge is at the door, James 5:9, to procure justice for you).
* Titus 3:2
† 1 Corinthians 10:11 (1 Corinthians 16:22; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Peter 4:7)
6. * Be worried about nothing (do not hang on to mistrustful and unnecessary worries); but rather in all things (in good and bad circumstances) † let your requests be made known before God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (pray in firm trust in God and thank Him for all His benefits).
* Matthew 6:25, 31ff.
† Psalm 145:18 (Psalm 55:23; 1 Peter 5:7; James 5:13; Colossians 3:17)
7. And * the peace of God (by which God the Father is graciously deposed toward you, in which you stand firmly by virtue of the reconciliation which had been accomplished and obtained for you), which is higher than all reason (whose worth no human reason can grasp), will guard1 (and, as it were, will bastion) your hearts and minds (in all temptations and tribulations) in Christ Jesus (by whom God has granted you all things, Romans 8:32, so that you can remain steadfast with him)!
* John 14:27 (Colossians 3:15)
1 Greek: “And” (in this way) “the peace of God will guard” (as with a garrison) [καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ… φρουρήσει]
Useful Applications
[There are no useful applications for v. 4–7.]
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 