The statement “the Lord is at hand” in Philippians 4:5 is a powerful reminder for Christians that Jesus Christ could return at any moment. As Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi, he encourages them to rejoice, be gentle, not be anxious, and bring their requests to God (Philippians 4:4-6). In the midst of this, he tells them, “The Lord is at hand.”
There are a few key things to understand about this phrase:
1. It refers to the imminent return of Christ
The “Lord” here is Jesus Christ. For the early church, the promise that He could return at any time was a source of great hope and encouragement. After Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), He promised that one day He would come back in the same way He left (Acts 1:11). The early Christians lived with an eager expectation that His return could happen in their lifetime.
So when Paul says “the Lord is at hand,” he is reminding the Philippians believers that Jesus could come back imminently. His return is near. This same idea is conveyed in other New Testament passages:
– “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
– “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
– “The end of all things is at hand…” (1 Peter 4:7).
2. It encourages watchfulness and readiness
Knowing that Christ could return at any moment motivates Christians to be ready. Jesus Himself exhorted His followers to be watchful and on guard for His coming (Matthew 24:36-44). If He is coming soon, we ought to be living with kingdom priorities in view.
Paul’s reminder that “the Lord is at hand” serves to wake up the Philippians to live alert and faithful lives. They should resist anxiety, rejoice in the Lord, take their needs to God, and treat others with love and respect, all with the awareness that Jesus could come back suddenly (Philippians 4:4-7).
This expectation produces readiness in believers’ lives. When we truly believe Christ’s return is imminent, it has a purifying effect on our thoughts and actions:
– “Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
– “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…” (2 Peter 3:11).
3. It encourages patient endurance
Knowing that Christ’s return is near also encourages endurance during hard times. The early church faced intense persecution for their faith, and they endured it with patience and joy because they knew “the Lord is at hand.” This hope gave them perspective in suffering.
Paul writes about this aspect in James 5:7-8 – “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient.” Persecution and trials are temporary in light of Christ’s imminent return.
The Philippian believers also faced opponents of the gospel (Philippians 1:28), so Paul’s reminder would have given them encouragement to endure. Keeping our eyes fixed on the hope of Jesus’ soon return helps us patiently endure present difficulties.
4. It brings comfort amid grief
Paul’s exhortation that “the Lord is at hand” also brings comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones. The Thessalonian believers who had concerns about Christians dying before Christ’s return were comforted with this truth:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep…Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14,18).
Those who have died in Christ have hope because when He returns, they will be resurrected and united with Him. This promise gives comfort amid grief for believers.
5. It inspires worship and awe of Christ
The truth that Jesus could return at any moment evokes worship, awe, and reverence for who He is. Paul hints at this in Philippians 3:20-21: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”
Christ’s coming calls us to bow before Him now in worship, before we will someday literally bow when we see His glory (Philippians 2:10-11). Knowing “the Lord is at hand” reminds us we will stand face-to-face before our glorious King soon!
Many other verses describe the splendor, majesty, and might of Christ when He returns, which compels our worship (Revelation 19, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Matthew 25:31). The doctrine of Christ’s imminent return leads to worship.
6. It motivates evangelism and missions
Believing Jesus could return at any time also provides motivation for evangelism and missions. In Matthew 24:14 Jesus says, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” His return awaits the completion of the Great Commission.
Paul understood his tireless missionary efforts were hastening this day. In Philippians 1:12 he says, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” His imprisonment led to more boldness in speaking the word (Philippians 1:14).
If time is short before Christ returns, it compels us to proclaim the gospel far and wide. The expectancy that “the Lord is at hand” fuels evangelistic urgency to see people saved before it’s too late.
7. It focuses our perspective on eternity
Living with the expectancy of Christ’s imminent return keeps believers’ focus on the eternal. Paul says Jesus will rescue us “from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
Knowing this age is temporary and Christ could return at any moment loosens our grip on the things of this world. It helps us hold material possessions, fame, comforts, and ambitions loosely, keeping in mind that eternity is coming fast. Our time here is short compared to forever with Christ.
The statement “the Lord is at hand” elevates our perspective from the temporal to the eternal. We live by kingdom priorities as we anticipate entering the glorious presence of our King.
8. It is a test of genuine faith
Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who are “waiting for Him” when He returns (Luke 12:35-40). Believing in and longing for Christ’s return is a mark of true faith.
Conversely, Peter warns about scoffers in the last days who will mocking say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Love for Christ’s appearing characterized the early church, while apathy toward it indicates dead or weak faith.
Do we believe with eager readiness that “the Lord is at hand”? This expectation produces steadfastness amid trials, motivates evangelism, loosens earthly ties, and elevates heavenly-mindedness. May God stir our affections for the promise that Christ could return today!
9. It is meant to encourage not speculate
While imminency passages like Philippians 4:5 encourage readiness, some have made the mistake of predicting dates or decoding end time symbols. Date-setting often leads to disappointment or fanaticism.
Rather than speculate about timing, Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13). We ought to humbly admit we do not know when He will return. Yet we live in constant eager readiness.
Passages about Christ’s imminent return are intended as motivation for faithful living, evangelism, and heavenly-mindedness. We must avoid speculation and sensationalism that distracts from His purposes.
10. It will happen at the Father’s appointed time
Though believers in every generation have thought Christ might return in their lifetime, so far the timing has not yet come. But we can have confidence His return will happen at just the right time the Father has sovereignly predetermined:
– “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21).
– “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
– “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:2,4).
We can trust that God knows the precise moment, though we don’t. Christ will return at the Father’s sovereignly set time to fulfill all His purposes.
Conclusion
The simple phrase “the Lord is at hand” in Philippians 4:5 is packed with deep significance. It reminds believers to be ready since Christ could return at any moment. This eager expectation produces alertness, steadfast endurance, evangelistic urgency, and worshipful awe of Jesus.
While only the Father knows the timing, we live each day longing for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, assured that He is coming soon! Maranatha!