Note 1 at Phil. 3:1: "Finally" is the Greek word LOIPON and literally means "as for the remaining or the rest." It is a Greek expression that carries the idea of something left over (WWS). It is translated into English by such words as "besides," "it remains," "furthermore," "from henceforth." This did not mean Paul was finished with the letter.

Note 2 at Phil. 3:1: The words "joy" and "rejoice" were used 17 times in this short letter. This letter is one of Paul's most joyous epistles, even though it is written while he is in prison. The Bible clearly teaches that our joy is found in the person of Christ and not in circumstances.

The word "joy" is a noun which names or denotes a person, place, thing, idea, quality. The word "rejoice" is a verb describing the action of a person, place, or thing. So when Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice, he is telling them something that they are to do.

We can rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4) because rejoicing is an action, not a reaction to our environment. Joy is a gift from God that was given to us at salvation. It was placed within our born-again spirit and it doesn't fluctuate or diminish; it is constant (see note 18 at Gal. 5:22, p. 1084). The Lord has put the joy inside us, and now we are to "work it out" by choosing to obey this command of scripture (see notes 2-4 at Phil. 3:12-13, p. 1170).

In the Greek, Paul's exhortation to "rejoice in the Lord" is in the present imperative. This essentially means that Paul is giving a command that is to have a long term application-a command to keep on "rejoicing" as one's general habit and life-style.

Note 3 at Phil. 3:1: Notice that we are commanded to rejoice "IN THE LORD." Many people are not experiencing true joy because their joy is in their circumstances. That is, they are waiting to rejoice when things in their lives are going good, and that doesn't happen very often. But we are supposed to "rejoice in the Lord." That means we are supposed to rejoice in who the Lord is and what He has done for us. He never changes (Heb. 13:8) and His mercies and compassions are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).

Note 4 at Phil. 3:1: The phrase "To write the same things to you" refers to previous instruction given earlier to the Philippian believers. Paul is saying that repetition is part of the learning process. Peter spoke three times in his second epistle (see note 5 at 1 Cor. 15:2, p. 954) about the importance of remembering. Paul is bringing back to the Philippians' minds previous instruction for their own benefit.