Philippians 4:6-7 are well-known verses to many Evangelicals. These verses however, are almost always quoted in isolation, without considering the context. When the context is considered, a completely different view of these verses comes into focus.

Paul instructs the believers at Philippi not to be anxious for anything. Instead of being anxious, they should pray. If they do that, they will experience the “peace of God.”

In my experience, these verses are most often used as advice for Christians who have to make a decision. They have to pick between two or more choices and are seeking the will of God. Instead of worrying (being anxious) about it, they should simply ask God which decision they should make. God will reveal what He wants the believer to do. The Lord will then give them peace when they do the right thing.

We often hear Christians speak in this way. We’ve all heard believers say things like, “I prayed about what I should do, and I have peace that I have done the right thing.”

The problem, however, is that such an interpretation is completely foreign to the context. In Philippians, Paul has exhorted the believers to work together. They have supported Paul in his work, and he wants them to continue to do so. They are citizens of the coming kingdom, the King is coming, and He will reward them if they work together, humbly serving each other.

At the beginning of chapter 4, Paul mentions the names of two women who are not working together but, instead, are fighting over something that Paul doesn’t specifically identify. He encourages them to “be of the same mind.”

Then, he tells them to “rejoice.” Based on the context, this logically means that they are to remember who they are and that they have the privilege of working for the King. Paul tells them that He “is at hand.” In the meantime, they are to demonstrate their “gentleness” to others. The word means to be kind and merciful to others. This would be extremely appropriate in a letter encouraging believers to work together instead of fighting with each other.

It is then that Paul says, “Don’t be anxious!” I would suggest that he means not to worry about the things we so often fight about. These two women were anxious about getting what they wanted. It was impacting their ability to work with each other for the glory of the Lord. Instead, they were to pray. No doubt, they were to ask the Lord to do what He wanted. They were to pray that they would continue to serve together in a way that pleased Him and that He would approve of when He returns.

If they did that, something supernatural would occur. They would experience the “peace of God.” This is not some nebulous feeling that you have made the right decision about something. I think it means that we will be at peace with our fellow believers.

When there are disagreements between believers, we all have a tendency to insist on our own way. We are anxious about getting what we want. This leads to conflicts. That is what Paul is addressing. Instead of taking that attitude, humble yourself before the Lord and pray. Ask Him to accomplish His work in the church body, doing what He wants in that situation, even if it means not getting what you want. If we are humble servants of the Lord, and if we reflect that in our dealings with other believers, we will have peace instead of the conflicts in which we so often find ourselves.