What is the “peace that surpasses understanding” in Philippians 4:7?
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE
Verse 7 is the second half of a sentence that begins in verse 6. It describes a peace that “guards” hearts and minds, a word the commentators note was a military term in Paul's day.
Three commentaries, quoted, not summarized.
JAMIESON, FAUSSET & BROWN · 1871verified
And--The inseparable consequence of thus laying everything before God in "prayer with thanksgiving." peace--the dispeller of "anxious care" (Phi 4:6). of God--coming from God, and resting in God (Joh 14:27; Joh 16:33; Col 3:15). passeth--surpasseth, or exceedeth, all man's notional powers of understanding its full blessedness (Co1 2:9-10; Eph 3:20; compare Pro 3:17). shall keep--rather, "shall guard"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold (Isa 26:1, Isa 26:3). The same Greek verb is used in Pe1 1:5.…
MATTHEW HENRY · 1721verified
…The effect of this will be the peace of God keeping our hearts, Phi 4:7. The peace of God, that is, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation to God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, which passeth all understanding, is a great good than can be sufficiently valued or duly expressed. It has not entered into the heart of ham, Co1 2:9. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under our troubles…
JOHN GILL · 1748verified
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding,.... Not that peace which God calls his people to among themselves in their effectual calling; and which he requires of them to cultivate and maintain; and which he encourages in them by the promise of his gracious presence among them; and which indeed he is the author of, and therefore is so called, Colossians 3:15; and which may be said to surpass or exceed all speculative knowledge, and understanding; for the one puffs up and profits nothing…
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Philippians 4 · 5 printable lessons