Philippians — Chapter 4
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1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.
13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
14Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.
15And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
16For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
17Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
18I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
19And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings.
22All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
5Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
12I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
13I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
14Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.
15And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;
16for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.
17Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.
18But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things [that came] from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
19And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now unto our God and Father [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you.
22All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar`s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
1So then, my brothers and sisters, dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!
2I appeal to Euodia and to Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
3Yes, I say also to you, true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!
5Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!
6Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
7And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
9And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
10I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.
12I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.
13I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.
14Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.
15And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
16For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.
17I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.
18For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.
19And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.
21Give greetings to all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me here send greetings.
22All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
9The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
12I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
13I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
14However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
18But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Summary
Paul urges the Philippians to stand firm in the Lord and calls on Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had labored with him, to settle their disagreement (vv. 1-3). He commands them to rejoice always, be gentle toward others, and replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving, promising that God's peace will guard their hearts and minds (vv. 4-7). He tells them to focus their thoughts on whatever is true, honorable, and pure, and to practice what they've learned from him (vv. 8-9). Paul thanks them for renewing their support of him, explaining that he has learned contentment in any circumstance — abundance or need — because he can do all things through Christ's strength (vv. 10-13). He commends the Philippians as the only church that partnered with him financially from the start, most recently through Epaphroditus, and assures them God will supply all their needs from his riches in Christ (vv. 14-19). The letter closes with praise to God and final greetings (vv. 20-23).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Thessalonica (v.16): City in Macedonia (northern Greece); Paul planted a church there.
Places on this map
- ThessalonicaThessaloniki, GreeceThe capital of Macedonia, with a natural harbour on the Aegean and the Via Egnatia running through it. A letter left here traveled well, which is part of why Paul could say the word had sounded out from them in every place. Wikipedia
- Macedonianorthern GreeceThe Roman province north of Greece proper, crossed by the Via Egnatia. Crossing into it from Troas took the gospel from Asia into Europe. Wikipedia
- Achaiasouthern GreeceThe Roman province covering southern Greece, governed from Corinth. Long past political power and still the cultural reference point of the eastern empire. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the conflict resolution, the commands to rejoice and pray, the thought life, contentment, and Paul's thanks for the Philippians' gift.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org 'Do not be anxious about anything' as an instruction rather than a reassurance.
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Philippians -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Rejoicing Regardless of Circumstances (v.4) — Paul commands believers to rejoice in the Lord always, writing this himself from a prison cell. What tends to steal your joy, and what would it look like to rejoice in the Lord even in the middle of it?
- Anxiety Turned Into Prayer (v.6) — Paul instructs believers to be anxious for nothing but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. What are you anxious about right now that you haven't actually handed over to God in prayer?
- Guarding What You Think On (v.8) — Paul lists a filter for the mind: whatever is true, noble, just, pure, and lovely. Running your media, conversations, and thought patterns through that filter, what needs to change?
- Contentment Is Learned (v.11) — Paul says contentment didn't come naturally to him; it was something he learned through experience. What circumstance in your life makes you most discontent, and what would trusting God there actually look like?
- Strength for Any Circumstance (v.13) — In context, Paul's confidence in Christ's strength is specifically about facing both abundance and need with contentment. Where do you need Christ's strength not to achieve a goal, but simply to stay faithful where you are?
- Trusting God's Provision (v.19) — Paul promises that God will supply all the Philippians' needs out of his riches in Christ. Looking back, how has God provided for you before, and does that shape how much you trust Him now?