Skip to Content

Philippians

Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.

Philippians 4

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

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

Commentary · verse 1

Paul referred to the Philippians as his "brethren beloved and longed for." Paul felt good about himself because he felt good about the Philippians. This last chapter was Paul's closing thoughts…

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

3Yea, 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.

2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Commentary · verses 2-3

Paul vouched for Euodia and Syntyche, who were women who worked with Paul and also Clement. Paul knew these people as believers and wanted the Philippians to help these people in their work.

4Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Commentary · verse 4

The theme of this letter.

5Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Commentary · verses 5-6

Be anxious (worry) for nothing, worrying about "something" will not help you get to that "something" faster. We ought to set an objective that is in our control and go for it. We ought to be content...

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Commentary · verse 7

The peace of God passes all understanding. This did not mean that we couldn't have "all understanding." This meant that having the peace of God is greater than all understanding.

8Finally, 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.

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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.

Commentary · verse 8

Verse 8 contained things that we ought to think on. In the first chapter of this letter, Paul told the Philippians that when he thinks of them, he was thankful and joyful. Thinking on the things in verse 8 ought to cause you to be content: thankful and joyful. When you think about God and when you think about scripture, do you feel better or worse? We are going to be surrounded by things that are not pleasant, but we have the choice on what we think about.

9The 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.

9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Commentary · verse 9

Paul told them to do the things that they had learned, heard, and seen Paul do and it would result in peace from God.

Doctrines on this passage

10But 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.

11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Paul was a mature believer. The ultimate proof of his maturity was he was content in whatever state he was in, including persecution.

12I 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.

13I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Paul summarized it by saying he could do all things in Jesus via the Holy Spirit. Paul knew that the answer to him being humbled and him being Rewarded was grace, from Him that strengthens His servants.

14Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.

15And 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; 16for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.

14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Commentary · verses 14-16

The Philippians gave the most to Paul, even when he was not there.

17Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.

17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Commentary · verse 17

Paul made it clear that his focus was not on the gifts he received from the Philippians but on helping them increase their own fruit.

18But 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.

19And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you.

22All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cæsar’s household.

23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar’s household.

23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

Commentary · verses 18-23

Theme of Chapter 4: Contentment. Paul's proof of maturity was that he was content in every circumstance because he knew he could do all things by Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Commentary · verse 23

The Epistle to the Philippians was written around the same time as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. These letters were written by Paul around 64 AD from Rome during his time in prison. This was the sixth book of the section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles and the third book of the mini-section known as the Prison Epistles. Paul stated the purpose for writing this letter was to present the joy of grace in the Christian walk, both here on earth and in eternity. So far, we have seen that:

  • Romans presented the most foundational Christian Doctrine: Salvation.
  • 1 Corinthians focused on the application of the foundational Doctrine towards a very new church.
  • 2 Corinthians was a more mature application of foundational Doctrine.
  • Galatians was a review of these first three Pauline Epistles.
  • Ephesians presented an overarching framework for the rest of Christian Doctrine unto its end, which is The Meaning of Life: All believers interact with each other as "cells in the body" of the Bride which is married to Jesus.
  • Philippians focused on the day-to-day effects that ought to result from a believer understanding the previous five epistles: joy regardless of the circumstances.

Up and down arrows move between verses, Enter selects one, Shift with an arrow takes in a run. Tab then reaches Save, Add Note and Copy.