Philippians 4

Philippians 4:1

¹Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Therefore Paul urges his beloved brothers—his joy and crown—to stand firm in the Lord.

Philippians 4:2-3

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.

Paul exhorts Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord and asks a loyal companion to help these women who labored with him in the gospel, along with Clement and other coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:4-7

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.

Paul commands continual rejoicing in the Lord, visible gentleness because the Lord is near, freedom from anxiety through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses understanding to guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9

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 anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul directs believers to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable—whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy—and to practice what they learned from him, promising that the God of peace will be with them.

Philippians 4:10-12

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 also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

Paul greatly rejoices that their concern for him has revived, clarifying he has learned contentment in any circumstance—abundance or need—through being initiated into the secret of facing plenty and hunger.

Philippians 4:13

¹³I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens him—living content and faithful in every circumstance by the empowering presence of Christ.

Philippians 4:14-18

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.

Paul affirms they did well sharing his affliction, recalling their unique early partnership in giving and receiving, and receives their gift via Epaphroditus as a fragrant offering well-pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19

¹⁹My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul assures the generous Philippians that his God will supply every need of theirs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:20

²⁰Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Paul ascribes glory forever and ever to our God and Father, sealing the letter’s thanksgiving with doxology.

Philippians 4:21-22

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.

Paul greets every saint in Christ Jesus; the brothers with him and all the saints—especially those of Caesar’s household—send greetings.

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