Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, have mercy. Cleanse me. Still my mind. Help me to listen as you speak.
Paul frames his concluding thoughts with the phrases, ‘the peace of God’ (verse 7) and ‘the God of peace’ (verse 9). Despite his predicament, he is full of joy (verse 4), because the still, small voice of God is assuring him of his presence and a ‘peace which surpasses all understanding’.
Once more, the apostle speaks of ‘imitation’ – a motif we’ve encountered in the previous chapters and that was common in a culture where the imitation of a wise teacher was part of one’s moral formation. Imitating in this case means not only following Paul’s example but holding on to the gospel.
The final chapter of this short but precious epistle has a couple of additional gems in store: the reference to Euodia and Syntyche, women whose roles were not to make church coffee – worthy as that service may be – but to be on the forefront of mission and ministry; and another detail that can easily be overlooked, found in verse 22: as early as the mid-first century, some people in Caesar’s palace had come to faith in Jesus. Paul might have been in chains, but the gospel was rapidly spreading across the Empire.
Lord, help me to pray, rather than worry, and fill me with your peace, whatever the circumstances.
This reflection was written by Michael Pfundner, Bible Society's Publishing Support Manager
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