That the God of peace will be with the Philippians means
God will be present by the Holy Spirit to care for the Philippians; or
the Philippians will be reconciled to God and their neighbour.
Most likely, Paul means that God will care for, protect, and comfort the Philippians. We can deduce that this is Paul’s meaning because God’s being with his people is a familiar Old Testament theme that has to do with God’s caring for and protecting his people. An important example of this is found in Psalm 23:4 where David writes that although he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with him, protecting and comforting him. Likewise, Paul is saying that when the Philippians do what Paul teaches, God will be with them to comfort, protect, and care for them.
Some contend that when Paul says the God of peace will be with them, he means that God will reconcile them to God, and each other. These contend that peace in the New Testament is a specialized notion which has to do with Christ’s work to reconcile humans to God. Thus, since Paul refers to God as the God of peace, by saying the God of peace will be with them, Paul is saying God would lead the Philippians to reconciliation with himself and each other.
The problem with this view is that it is overly complex. Our task as exegetes is to identify the author’s meaning. The most natural meaning of a text, based on the historical and literary context, is normally the best contender for the author’s meaning. So the notion that when Paul says the God of peace will be with the Philippians, Paul means God will reconcile the Philippians to himself and each other, is not the natural meaning of Philippians 4:9. Thus, while it is true that Christ’s work brings peace by reconciling humans to God and each other, it is unlikely that by referring to God as the God of peace, Paul has all that in mind.
In the end, we take it that when Paul says the God of peace will be with the Philippians, he means that God will care for, protect, and comfort the Philippians.
Interpretation 1:
God will be present by the Holy Spirit to care for the Philippians.
Summary:
Paul says that by practicing what they have been taught, the God of peace will be with the Philippians. What Paul means is that the Holy Spirit will reside in the Philippians' hearts, to care for, comfort, and protect them.
It can be difficult to follow Christ by living a life of sacrifice and service. Still, we can be sure that when we humble ourselves and serve others, the God of the universe is with us. And with God on our side, who can be against us?
Advocates:
Charles Cousar
Gordon Fee
Peter O’Brien
Moisés Silva
Minor differences:
Our authors agree that the God of peace being with the Philippians means that the Philippians will experience God’s presence.
Charles Cousar simply notes that God himself will be present with his people.
1
Gordon Fee is slightly more specific, pointing out that according to Paul’s broader theology, God is present by the Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers.2 Fee explains that God’s presence
was highly important in the Old Testament, but takes on a new understanding in the New Testament when it is promised that God is present by the Holy Spirit. 3
For Moisés Silva and Peter O’Brien, the emphasis is on the fact that God is present with his people to care for them. Silva writes, It is not only the peace of God but the God of peace himself who will overshadow us with his care.
4 While O’Brien notes that by characterizing God as the God of peace, Paul implies that God is the source and giver of all true blessings.
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
Interpretation 2:
The Philippians will be reconciled to God and their neighbour.
Summary:
The Philippians face challenges in their congregation, but Paul assures them that when they imitate him, the God of peace will reconcile them to himself and one another.
Advocates:
Walter Hansen
Bonnie Thurston
Marvin Vincent
Minor differences:
Our authors agree that when Paul says the God of peace will be with the Philippians, he means that God will bring reconciliation.
Walter Hansen explains the view well, stating that God being with the Philippians is to experience not some subjective tranquillity but the objective reality of being reconciled to God through the Messiah.8 Hansen contends that the Philippian church experienced disunity, so it would reassure them to know that God would reconcile them to himself and each other.9
Marvin Vincent agrees that peace is not mere tranquillity but reconciliation with God that implies the cessation of enmity between God and man.
10
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.