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Philippians 4

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1
Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved. ​

Euodias and Syntyche Urged to Agree 2–3

2
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. ​
3
Yea, 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. ​

Rejoice in the Lord 4–9

4
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. ​
5
Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ​
6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ​
7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. ​
8
Finally, 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. ​
9
The 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. ​

Paul's Gratitude and the Secret of Contentment 10–20

10
But 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. ​
11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. ​
12
I 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. ​
13
I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. ​
14
Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction. ​
15
And 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; ​
16
for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.
17
Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.
18
But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. ​
19
And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ​
20
Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction 21–23

21
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. ​
22
All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cæsar’s household. ​
23
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Philippians 4

Verse 1

my joy and crown — Stephanos is the wreath given to the victor in the games, not a royal diadem. Paul looked to rejoice over his converts 'in the day of Christ' (Phil 2:16). 'Stand fast' (steko) is to hold one's ground, as in 'stand fast in the faith' (1 Cor 16:13).

Verse 2

Euodias… Syntyche — Two women are named, and 'beseech' (parakaleo) is repeated for each, so neither is singled out. The appeal revives that of 2:2, 'that ye be likeminded'. It is made 'in the Lord', the one ground on which agreement between them can stand.

Verse 3

true yokefellow — Syzygos, one yoked together; the text does not name him. The women 'laboured with me' (synathleo, to strive alongside, an athlete's word) 'in the gospel'. Their names are 'in the book of life' (cf. Luke 10:20; Rev 3:5).

Verse 4

Rejoice in the Lord alway — Chairo, to be glad. The joy is placed 'in the Lord', not in circumstances, and is commanded from a prison. 'Again I say' doubles it; it recalls 'rejoice in the Lord' (Phil 3:1) and 'Rejoice evermore' (1 Thess 5:16).

Verse 5

moderation — Epieikes, gentle, yielding, patient: the 'gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men' of Titus 3:2. It is to be 'known unto all men'. The reason follows: 'The Lord is at hand' (engys, near), as in 'the coming of the Lord draweth nigh' (Jas 5:8).

Verse 6

Be careful for nothing — Merimnao, to be anxious, the verb of 'Take no thought for your life' (Matt 6:25). Three words answer it: 'prayer' (proseuche), 'supplication' (deesis, a petition) and 'thanksgiving'. Compare 'Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you' (1 Pet 5:7).

Verse 7

shall keep — Phroureo, to stand guard as a sentinel. The peace of God is set as a garrison over the 'hearts' (kardia) and 'minds' (noema, thoughts), 'through Christ Jesus'. It is the peace Christ leaves: 'my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth' (John 14:27).

Verse 8

whatsoever things are true — Six 'whatsoever' clauses, then 'virtue' (arete, excellence) and 'praise'. 'Honest' is semnos, grave, worthy of reverence, more than truthful. 'Think on' is logizomai, to reckon, to take into account, so the mind is to dwell on these things deliberately.

Verse 9

learned, and received, and heard, and seen — Four verbs set Paul himself as the pattern (cf. Phil 3:17). 'Received' (paralambano) is the word for what is handed on, as in 'as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk' (1 Thess 4:1). 'Do' (prasso) is to practise; 'the God of peace' then accompanies them.

Verse 10

hath flourished again — Anathallo, to bloom again, as a plant revives. Paul does not blame the lapse, for they 'were also careful' (the same verb phroneo as 'your care'), but 'lacked opportunity' (akaireomai). The gift came by Epaphroditus (v.18; Phil 2:25).

Verse 11

therewith to be content — Autarkes, self-sufficient, satisfied. Paul says it was 'learned' (manthano), not native to him, and v.13 gives its source. 'Not that I speak in respect of want' shows he is not hinting for more. Compare 'godliness with contentment is great gain' (1 Tim 6:6).

Verse 12

I am instructed — Myeo, to initiate, from the root of mysterion, 'mystery': to be initiated into a secret, and so to be taught it. Two pairs follow, 'full… hungry' and 'abound… suffer need'. His hunger is attested in 2 Cor 11:27, and 'as poor, yet making many rich' in 2 Cor 6:10.

Verse 13

I can do all things — Ischuo, to have strength. 'All things' is bounded by vv.11–12: being abased or abounding. 'Strengtheneth' is endynamoo, to empower, the thought of 'my strength is made perfect in weakness' (2 Cor 12:9) and 'be strong in the Lord' (Eph 6:10).

Verse 14

communicate with my affliction — Synkoinoneo, to share in company with; 'affliction' is thlipsis, pressure. Their gift made them partners in his imprisonment, as others 'had compassion of me in my bonds' (Heb 10:34). The commendation follows his statement of contentment, so the gift is not belittled.

Verse 15

no church communicated with me — The verb is koinoneo, to share. 'Giving and receiving' (dosis, lempsis) is the language of an account. Paul left Philippi and came to Thessalonica (Acts 16:40; 17:1). Of other churches he says, 'I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service' (2 Cor 11:8).

Verse 18

an odour of a sweet smell — Osme euodias, the fragrance of an accepted offering; Christ's gift is a 'sweetsmelling savour' (Eph 5:2). The gift is a 'sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God' (cf. Heb 13:16). 'I have all' is apecho, to have received in full, a receipt.

Verse 19

my God shall supply all your need — Pleroo, to fill up, the verb of 'I am full' in v.18: their gift filled his lack, and God will fill theirs. 'My God' is Paul's own God, whose supply is promised to them. The measure is 'his riches in glory', not their giving, 'by Christ Jesus'; cf. 2 Cor 9:8.

Verse 21

Salute every saint — Hagios, set apart for God; 'saint' is a name for every believer 'in Christ Jesus', not an office. 'Every' (pas) includes each one. Aspazomai, to greet, is literally to embrace. The 'brethren which are with me' greet them in return.

Verse 22

Caesar's household — Oikia is a household, including its domestics. These believers belonged to the emperor's establishment in Rome, where Paul's 'bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace' (Phil 1:13). They are named 'chiefly' (malista, especially) among all the saints who send greeting.

Verse 23

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ — Charis, free favour. The same words close Romans (Rom 16:24), and 2 Cor 13:14 adds the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost. 'With you all' takes in the whole church addressed from 1:1.