Lutheran Lens Commentary: Philippians 4:6-7 (Do Not Be Anxious)

Lutheran Lens Reading of Philippians 4:6-7 (Do Not Be Anxious)

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read Philippians 4:6-7 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the Law's exposure of our inherent anxiety and inability to trust God fully. The command 'Do not be anxious' reveals our failure to live in perfect trust, convicting us of our need for Christ. Yet, in the Gospel, we encounter the promise of God's peace, which surpasses all understanding and is granted through Christ's completed work. This passage assures us that the peace of God is a gift, not a result of our efforts, echoing the theology of the cross where grace is found in Christ's suffering and victory, not our own striving.

Key Language Decisions

In the Greek, 'μεριμνᾶτε' (merimnate) translates to 'be anxious,' highlighting the Law's demand for trust that we inherently fail to fulfill. The term 'εἰρήνη' (eirēnē), meaning 'peace,' is central to the Gospel promise of divine assurance beyond human comprehension. The semantic range of 'φρουρήσει' (phrourēsei), meaning 'will guard,' emphasizes God's active role in preserving our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, affirming our theology that God is the initiator and sustainer of peace.

Where Traditions Diverge

Unlike Reformed traditions that might emphasize human responsibility in overcoming anxiety through spiritual disciplines, we assert that the peace of God is solely a gift of grace received through faith, not human effort. Contrary to the Roman Catholic view which may stress cooperation with grace, we maintain that the peace guarding our hearts is entirely God's work, aligning with our doctrine of justification by grace through faith alone.

Pastoral Application

In preaching this passage, we must first allow the Law to do its work, acknowledging the reality of anxiety as evidence of our sinfulness and inability to trust God perfectly. This prepares the hearer for the Gospel's comfort: the peace of God in Christ, which is not earned but given. We emphasize that this peace is a fruit of our baptismal identity, a reflection of God's grace that guards us amidst life's trials. A Lutheran Lens congregation expects to hear that Christ has secured this peace through his cross, assuring us of God's ongoing presence and help, not through visible triumph, but through the hidden work of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament.

Cross-References: Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:7; John 14:27; Isaiah 26:3; Romans 8:6

Doctrinal Connections: Law and Gospel; justification by faith alone; the theology of the cross; simul justus et peccator; means of grace