1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, 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. 9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But 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. 11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15 You 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. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18 But 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. 19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
This chapter Phil. 4 comprises the following points:
I. Exhortations.
II. Solemn commands to live as became Christians.
III. The expression of a grateful acknowledgment of the favors which he had received from them; and,
IV. The customary salutations.
I. Exhortations; Philippians 4:1-3.
(1) he exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord; Philippians 4:1.
(2) he entreats Euodias and Syntyche, who appear to have been alienated from each other, to be reconciled; Philippians 4:2.
(3) he entreats one whom he calls a "true yoke-fellow" to render assistance to those women who had labored with him in the gospel; Philippians 4:3.
II. Commands; Philippians 4:4-9. He commands them to rejoice in the Lord always, Philippians 4:4; to let their moderation be known to all, Philippians 4:5; to have no anxiety about worldly matters, but in all their necessities to go to God, Philippians 4:6-7; and to do whatever was honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, Philippians 4:8-9.
III. A grateful acknowledgment of their kindness; Philippians 4:10-19. He says that their care of him had been manifested again, in such a way as to be highly grateful to his feelings; Philippians 4:10. He did not indeed say that he had suffered, for he had learned, in whatever state he was, to be content Philippians 4:11-13; but they had shown a proper spirit in endeavoring to relieve his necessities; Philippians 4:14. He remarks that their church was the only one that had aided him when he was in Macedonia, and that they had sent to him more than once when he was in Thessalonica, and says that their favor now was an offering acceptable to God, who would abundantly reward them; Philippians 4:15-20.
IV. Salutations; Philippians 4:21-23.
The apostle exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord, Philippians 4:1. And beseeches Euodias and Syntyche to be of one mind in Divine things, Philippians 4:2. And requests his true yokefellow to help them to a good understanding, Philippians 4:3. Gives them directions concerning their temper and frame of mind, Philippians 4:4-7. And how to act in all respects as becomes the purity and excellence of the Gospel, as they had heard from and seen in him, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 4:9. Thanks them for their attention to him in his captivity, in sending him what was necessary for his support, though he had learned to be contented in all situations in life, Philippians 4:10-14. Mentions particular cases in which they had ministered to him; promises them, through the riches of glory in Christ, a supply of all their spiritual wants; and renders thanks to God, Philippians 4:15-20. Salutes all the saints, and those particularly of the emperor's household, Philippians 4:21, Philippians 4:22. And concludes with his usual apostolical benediction, Philippians 4:23.
INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 4
This chapter contains exhortations to various duties becoming Christians, the apostle's thankfulness to the Philippians for their present to him, and the conclusion of the epistle with the salutations of the brethren: in Philippians 4:1; the apostle exhorts the saints with great affection to perseverance in the doctrine and faith of Christ; and in Philippians 4:2; mentions some persons by name, and to whom he recommends unity and agreement; and in Philippians 4:3; entreats others to assist them therein; and in Philippians 4:4; exhorts them all in general to joy in the Lord, and to moderation, enforced by this argument, the Lord being at hand, Philippians 4:5; and to calmness and quietness of mind, and to prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, Philippians 4:6; to which they are encouraged, by the promise of having the peace of God, keeping their minds through Christ, Philippians 4:7; and to conclude, he exhorts them to everything that is virtuous had commendable; to which he stimulates them, from the consideration of the nature of the things themselves, from his own example, and from the presence of God with them, they might expect to enjoy, Philippians 4:8; and then he proceeds to take notice of the kindness of the Philippians to him, declares his joy on account of it, and expresses it by their care of him again; which he corrects, by observing that it was not for want of care in them before, but of opportunity of showing it, Philippians 4:10; nor did he take notice of this present of theirs, with so much exultation on account of his own penury, for he had learnt the great lesson of contentment in every state, Philippians 4:11; which he enlarges upon and explains; namely, that he had been taught, and knew how to behave in fulness and want, in prosperity and adversity; though this was not owing to himself, but to the power and strength of Christ, Philippians 4:12; however, he commends the Philippians for their communicating to him in his affliction, both at the first preaching of the Gospel to them, and at several times since, Philippians 4:14, the reason of which commendation was not because he was covetous of gifts and presents from them, but to encourage them to bring forth fruit, which would turn to their own advantage, Philippians 4:17; as for himself he had enough, and therefore said not this on his own account, but because such communication was a sacrifice well pleasing to God, and a return would be made by him; who, as he was able to supply all their need, would; of which he assures them, and for which he prays, Philippians 4:17, and to whom he gives the glory of what they had given, and he had received, Philippians 4:20; and then the epistle is concluded with the salutation of the apostle, and the saints, and brethren with him, and with his usual benediction, Philippians 4:21.
(Philippians 4:1) The apostle exhorts the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord.
(Philippians 4:2-9) Gives directions to some, and to all in general.
(Philippians 4:10-19) Expresses contentment in every condition of life.
(Philippians 4:20-23) He concludes with prayer to God the Father, and his usual blessing.
SUMMARY.--Personal Admonitions. Going to the Lord for Help. Setting the Mind on Noble Things. The Supply of His Wants Sent by the Philippians. Parting Salutations.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.