And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This peace is not mere knowledge or God's own self-peace, but the peace made with God by Christ's blood, published in the Gospel and preached by His cross. Or it is the peace of conscience arising from justification by His righteousness and atonement by His sacrifice. Every natural man is shut out from it; he understands nothing of this tranquility, cannot reckon how such a one should have joy when his own mind is at war with sin.
AI summary
His affection for them burned hot: they were his beloved, his longing, his joy, his crown. He calls them brethren though he was an apostle, because all renewed by one Spirit are brothers. Warm affection must go with brotherly relation. He had no joy greater than hearing of their spiritual health. This is how tenderness works: it makes exhortation cut deeper and carry farther.
AI summary
Commenting on Philippians 4:1-9
Prayer with thanksgiving begets this consequence: peace from God, resting in God. It surpasses all human notional powers to grasp its full blessedness. It shall guard you as a well-garrisoned stronghold keeps secure whatever troubles besiege without. Peace dwells within, and you are kept in Christ Jesus where alone such guarding is found.
AI summary