Philippians 4:20

KJV

¶ Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} unto God {G2316} and {G2532} our {G2257} Father {G3962} be glory {G1391} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}. Amen {G281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And to God our Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Berean Standard Bible

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

American Standard Version

Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Philippians 4:20 is a profound doxology, a spontaneous and heartfelt outburst of praise from the Apostle Paul to God the Father. This verse serves as a fitting capstone to Paul's preceding discourse on contentment in all circumstances and his deep gratitude for the Philippian church's generous financial support. It encapsulates his theology of divine provision and faithfulness, culminating in an eternal declaration of glory to the one who is the ultimate source of all good things, affirming God's supreme worthiness of unending adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Philippians 4:20 immediately follows Paul's profound exposition on contentment and divine provision. In the preceding verses (Philippians 4:10-19), Paul expresses his overwhelming joy and gratitude for the Philippians' renewed care and financial support, which had reached him during his imprisonment. He clarifies that his contentment is not dependent on circumstances or material possessions, but on Christ who strengthens him ([Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11-13 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul's Contentment in Christ")). He then acknowledges the Philippians' unique history of partnership in his ministry, specifically their repeated financial gifts, which he views not as a debt owed to him, but as "fruit that increases to your credit" ([Philippians 4:17](/philippians/4-17 "Philippians 4:17 - Fruit to Their Credit")). The climax of this section is his confident declaration in [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision"), "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Verse 20, therefore, is not merely a concluding remark but a natural and fervent response of worship, a theological exclamation point to God's faithfulness and the Philippians' generosity, recognizing God as the ultimate provider and worthy of all praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians likely from Roman imprisonment (c. AD 60-62), though some scholars suggest an earlier imprisonment in Ephesus or Caesarea. The Philippian church held a special place in Paul's heart; it was the first church he founded in Europe ([Acts 16](/acts/16 "Acts 16 - Paul's Ministry in Philippi")). Unlike many other churches, the Philippians consistently supported Paul financially, even when he was no longer with them ([Philippians 4:15-16](/philippians/4-15-16 "Philippians 4:15-16 - Philippians' Financial Support")). In the Greco-Roman world, patronage was a common social practice, where a patron provided support to a client, expecting loyalty or honor in return. While Paul appreciated the Philippians' gift, he reframed it not as a patron-client relationship, but as a spiritual partnership in the gospel, ultimately redounding to God's glory. Doxologies, like the one in [Philippians 4:20](/philippians/4-20 "Philippians 4:20 - Doxology to God"), were common in both Jewish and early Christian worship, serving as formal expressions of praise and honor directed towards God, often concluding prayers or sections of teaching.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Paul's letter and broader theology. Firstly, **Doxology and Worship** is central, as the verse itself is an act of direct praise, emphasizing God's inherent worthiness of all honor and adoration. It highlights that the ultimate response to God's character and provision is worship. Secondly, the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Fatherhood** is evident in the address "God and our Father," underscoring both His supreme authority over all creation and His intimate, loving, covenantal relationship with believers. This duality emphasizes His majesty and His tender care for His children. Thirdly, the phrase "for ever and ever" points to **Eternal Glory**, signifying the timeless, unending, and unchanging nature of God's glory. It teaches that God's praise is not bound by temporal circumstances but is an eternal reality, echoing the sentiment that [all things ultimately exist for His glory](/romans/11-36 "Romans 11:36 - All Things Are From, Through, and To Him"). Finally, the concluding "Amen" signifies **Affirmation and Certainty**, serving as a powerful declaration of truth and sincerity, an emphatic "so be it" that seals the preceding declaration of praise with conviction and fervent desire for its eternal recognition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** (G1391) This term signifies honor, renown, splendor, and majesty. When attributed to God, it refers to His inherent divine nature, His manifest presence, and the recognition of His supreme excellence and power. Paul's declaration means that all honor and praise should be ascribed to God, acknowledging His ultimate worth.
* **for ever and ever (Greek, _eis aiṓnas aiṓnōn'_):** (G1519 _eis_ + G165 _aiṓn_ repeated) This is a powerful Greek idiom, literally meaning "unto the ages of ages." The preposition _eis_ (G1519) indicates direction and purpose ("to" or "for"), while _aiṓn_ (G165) denotes an age, a period of time, or by extension, perpetuity. The repetition of _aiṓn_ in the plural is the strongest possible New Testament expression for eternity, boundless duration, and endless time. It emphasizes that the glory due to God is not temporary or circumstantial but is eternal and unending.
* **Amen (Hebrew, _amḗn'_):** (G281) Of Hebrew origin, meaning "firm," "trustworthy," or "surely." As an interjection, it functions as an affirmation, meaning "so be it," "truly," or "let it be established." In this context, it serves as a solemn and fervent endorsement of the preceding doxology, expressing Paul's profound agreement and desire for God's eternal glory to be a perpetual reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now unto God and our Father":** The particle "Now" (_dé_, G1161) serves as a transition, linking this doxology to the preceding discussion of God's provision. The recipients of this praise are explicitly identified as "God" (_theós_, G2316), highlighting His divine nature and supreme authority, and "our Father" (_patḗr_, G3962), emphasizing His intimate, personal relationship with believers. This dual address underscores both His transcendence and His immanence.
* **"[be] glory":** The verb "be" is implied, making this a declarative statement of what is due to God. "Glory" (_dóxa_, G1391) is the central object of the ascription, signifying that all honor, praise, and recognition of supreme worth belong to God alone. It is a call for God's inherent majesty to be acknowledged and magnified.
* **"for ever and ever. Amen.":** This phrase defines the duration and certainty of the glory ascribed. "For ever and ever" (_eis aiṓnas aiṓnōn_, G1519 G165 G165) is the strongest possible expression of eternity, indicating that God's glory is not limited by time but is perpetual and unending. The concluding "Amen" (_amḗn_, G281) serves as a powerful, solemn affirmation, signifying Paul's fervent agreement and desire that this eternal glory to God indeed be so.

#### Literary Devices
Philippians 4:20 is a prime example of a **Doxology**, a literary and theological device used to express praise and glory to God. It is a concise and formal statement of worship, often found at the conclusion of a letter or a section of teaching, as it is here. The phrase "for ever and ever" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the unending nature of God's glory, using an idiom that literally means "unto the ages of ages" to convey infinite duration. This rhetorical device underscores the boundless and timeless quality of divine majesty. Furthermore, the use of "Amen" at the conclusion functions as a powerful **Affirmation**, a direct and emphatic declaration of truth and fervent desire. It seals the doxology with a sense of finality and absolute conviction, inviting the reader to join in the solemn declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This doxology is a powerful theological statement affirming God's ultimate sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and inherent worthiness of all praise. It teaches that true gratitude for divine provision and faithfulness culminates in the ascription of glory to God, not merely for what He does, but for who He is. The eternal nature of this glory underscores God's unchanging character and His position as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all things. It reminds believers that their ultimate purpose is to live lives that reflect and magnify this eternal glory, acknowledging that all blessings flow from Him and ultimately return to Him in praise. This perspective transforms human experience, shifting focus from earthly needs and circumstances to the transcendent reality of God's eternal majesty.

* [Romans 11:36](/romans/11-36 "All Things Are From, Through, and To Him")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God")
* [1 Timothy 1:17](/1_timothy/1-17 "Doxology to the King of the Ages")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Philippians 4:20 serves as a profound call to cultivate a life of perpetual praise and thanksgiving, regardless of our circumstances. Paul, writing from prison, exemplifies how a heart fixed on God's character and faithfulness can overflow with doxology even amidst trials. This verse challenges us to shift our perspective from focusing on what we lack or what troubles us, to recognizing God's unchanging nature and His unfailing provision. It encourages us to make the giving of glory to God the ultimate purpose of our existence, allowing every blessing and every challenge to draw us into deeper worship. When we truly grasp that God is "our Father" and worthy of "glory for ever and ever," our worries diminish, our gratitude deepens, and our lives become a testament to His goodness, reflecting His light in a world that desperately needs to see His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's doxology in Philippians 4:20 challenge my own tendency to praise God only when circumstances are favorable?**
* **What does it mean for God to receive "glory for ever and ever" in my daily life and actions?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that spontaneously offers praise to God, even in moments of difficulty or uncertainty, mirroring Paul's example?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God as "our Father" deepen my understanding and experience of His glory?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul offer this doxology specifically at this point in his letter?**

Answer: Paul's doxology in [Philippians 4:20](/philippians/4-20 "Philippians 4:20 - Paul's Doxology") is a direct and natural response to the Philippians' generous financial support and, more importantly, to God's faithful provision. In the preceding verses ([Philippians 4:10-19](/philippians/4-10-19 "Philippians 4:10-19 - Paul's Gratitude and God's Provision")), Paul expresses deep gratitude for their gift, not just for his own needs, but as "fruit that increases to your credit" ([Philippians 4:17](/philippians/4-17 "Philippians 4:17 - Fruit to Their Credit")). He then declares with confidence, "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision")). This doxology is the theological culmination of that thought—a spontaneous outburst of praise to the ultimate source of all provision and blessing, acknowledging that all good things come from God and all glory belongs to Him.

**What is the significance of the phrase "for ever and ever"?**

Answer: The phrase "for ever and ever" (Greek: _eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn_) is the strongest possible idiom in the Greek New Testament to express eternity and unending duration. It literally translates to "unto the ages of ages." Its significance in [Philippians 4:20](/philippians/4-20 "Philippians 4:20 - Doxology to God") is to emphasize that the glory due to God is not temporary, circumstantial, or limited by human time or understanding. It is an eternal, perpetual, and unchanging reality. This reinforces God's immutability and His supreme worthiness of worship throughout all time and beyond, highlighting that His glory is not contingent on human recognition but is an inherent aspect of His divine being.

**What does the concluding "Amen" add to this doxology?**

Answer: The word "Amen" (from Hebrew, meaning "firm," "trustworthy," or "so be it") serves as a powerful and solemn affirmation. In [Philippians 4:20](/philippians/4-20 "Philippians 4:20 - Doxology to God"), it functions as Paul's emphatic endorsement of the preceding declaration of praise. It signifies his absolute conviction in the truth that God is indeed worthy of eternal glory and expresses a fervent desire that this be so. It invites the reader to join in this affirmation, making the doxology not just a personal expression of Paul's worship but a communal declaration of faith and adoration. It seals the statement with certainty and finality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Philippians 4:20 directly ascribes glory to "God and our Father," its fulfillment is profoundly Christ-centered, as it is through Jesus Christ that we know the Father and are enabled to offer Him true glory. Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father's glory, being "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). It is through Christ that we, as believers, have access to the Father ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")), and it is in His name that our prayers and praises are acceptable to God ([Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus")). Furthermore, Christ Himself is worthy of eternal glory, as seen in the heavenly worship where "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'" ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Worthy is the Lamb")). Thus, the eternal glory ascribed to God the Father in Philippians 4:20 is understood and experienced most fully within the context of God's redemptive plan, perfectly accomplished and revealed in Jesus Christ, who both mediates our worship and shares in the Father's unending glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

Psalms 115:1

¶ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.

Revelation 14:7

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Philippians 1:11

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Psalms 72:19

And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.

Revelation 7:12

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.