Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And {G2532} the peace {G1515} of God {G2316}, which {G3588} passeth {G5242} all {G3956} understanding {G3563}, shall keep {G5432} your {G5216} hearts {G2588} and {G2532} minds {G5216}{G3540} through {G1722} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}.

Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 (KJV) is a beloved and profound promise of divine tranquility amidst life's challenges. It assures believers that a peace unlike any the world offers is available to those who commit their concerns to God.

Context

This verse is a direct follow-up to Paul's instruction in Philippians 4:6, where he urges believers to "be careful for nothing" (i.e., do not be anxious), but rather to make their requests known to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Writing from prison, Paul himself embodied the very peace he spoke of, demonstrating that external circumstances do not dictate inner serenity when one's trust is in God. The church in Philippi, known for its generosity and loyalty, was encouraged to maintain this spiritual posture.

Key Themes

  • The Peace of God: This is not merely the absence of conflict or a human-generated calm, but a peace that originates from God Himself. It is His own character of order, wholeness, and rest imparted to the believer.
  • Transcendent Understanding: The phrase "which passeth all understanding" highlights that this peace defies human logic or comprehension. It can exist even when circumstances are chaotic or deeply troubling, making no sense from a worldly perspective. This divine peace is a supernatural gift.
  • Guardianship of Heart and Mind: The promise is that this peace "shall keep your hearts and minds." The heart (in biblical terms) often refers to the core of one's being, including emotions, will, and conscience, while the mind relates to thoughts, reasoning, and perceptions. God's peace acts as a spiritual sentinel, protecting these vital inner faculties from anxiety, fear, and despair.
  • Through Christ Jesus: The means by which this profound peace is accessed and maintained is "through Christ Jesus." He is the mediator of this peace, and it is through faith in Him and reliance on His finished work that believers can experience this divine guarding. As Jesus Himself promised, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "peace" is eirene (εἰρήνη), which in the biblical context often signifies more than just the absence of war; it denotes a state of holistic well-being, completeness, and harmony.
  • The word translated "shall keep" is phroureo (φρουρέω), a military term meaning "to guard," "to garrison," or "to protect with a sentinel." This vividly pictures God's peace standing watch over our inner lives, like a fortress protecting a city from invaders. It suggests an active, vigilant protection against the onslaught of worry and fear.

Practical Application

Philippians 4:7 offers immense comfort and practical guidance for modern life. In an age filled with anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that true peace is not found in controlling our circumstances but in trusting God with them. By following the preceding instruction to pray with thanksgiving, believers can unlock this supernatural peace that guards their innermost thoughts and emotions. It encourages a life of dependence on God, reminding us that even when we don't understand our trials, we can still experience His profound peace in Christ Jesus.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 14:27

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  • Isaiah 26:3

    Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16

    ¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

  • Colossians 3:15

    And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  • Psalms 29:11

    The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Romans 15:13

    ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
← Back