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BibleStudyIt Philippians 4

  • Philippians Chapter 4

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How Christians should live

4 My dear Christian friends, I love you very much. I want very much to see you again. You make me very happy. You show that my work among you had good results. Please continue to live in a way that pleases the Lord. This is what I have taught you to do.

2 I say this to Euodia and to Syntyche: ‘You belong to the Lord, so please agree with each other. Stop arguing.’ 3 I ask you too, my true friend, please help these two women to agree together. [ a ] They have worked with me to tell people the good news. They have worked very hard to help me. They worked together with Clement, and with the other people who helped me in the work. All those workers' names are written in God's book of life. [ b ]

4 Always be happy because you belong to the Lord. I will say that again, ‘Be happy!’ 5 Be kind and patient in a way that everyone can see. Remember that the Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything. Instead, pray to God about everything. Ask him to help you with the things that you need. And thank him for his help. 7 If you do that, God will give you peace in your minds. That peace is so great that nobody can completely understand it. You will not worry or be afraid, because you belong to Christ Jesus.

8 Now my friends, I want to say this to you. Fill your minds with thoughts about good things. Think about things that are true, clean, right and lovely. Always think about things which people know are very good. 9 Remember what I have taught you. Remember the message that you heard from me. Remember what you saw when I lived among you. You also must do those same things. God is the one who gives us peace in our minds. He will be with you.

Paul thanks the believers at Philippi

10 I am very happy that you want to help me again. I praise the Lord for that. I know that you wanted to help me before. But you have not had a chance to do anything until now. 11 When I say that, it is not because I need anything. I have learned to be happy, whatever things may happen to me. 12 I know what it is like to need things. I also know what it is like to have more than enough. I have learned this secret. I know how to be happy whatever happens. I can be happy when I have enough food to eat, and also when I am hungry. I can be happy when I have plenty of things, and also when I have nothing. 13 I can do all these things because Christ makes me strong.

14 But certainly, you have been very kind to me. You have helped me now, when I am in trouble. 15 Also, you Christians in Philippi know that you already helped me earlier. That was the time when I started to tell people God's good news. When I left Macedonia, you were the only group of Christians who helped me. We were able to help one another, and no other group of Christians did that for me. [ c ] 16 Even when I was at Thessalonica, you helped me. More than once, you sent gifts to me because I needed things. [ d ]

17 It is not your gifts themselves that I want. But I want you to do good things so that God will bless you in return. 18 Epaphroditus has brought the gifts that you sent to me. I have received those gifts, so that I no longer need anything. You have sent me more than enough. Your gifts are like a sacrifice with a nice smell that you have offered to God. God accepts that kind of sacrifice. It makes him very happy. 19 My Lord God in heaven has plenty of good and valuable things. Because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will give to you everything that you need.

20 Our Father God is very great! It is right that everyone should praise him always and for ever! Amen. This is true.

Paul finishes his letter

21 Say ‘hello’ on my behalf to all of God's people there who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers who are here with me say ‘hello’ to you. 22 All God's people here say ‘hello’ to you. The Christians who live in the king's house say a special ‘hello’ to you.

23 We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to be kind to you, so that your spirits are strong.

Footnotes

  1. 4:3 Paul is speaking to someone who is his special friend. He does not say what his friend's name is. He may be a leader in the church at Philippi.
  2. 4:3 ‘God's book of life’ has the names of people who will live with God for ever.
  3. 4:15 Macedonia was the north part of the country called Greece now. Philippi was a city in Macedonia.
  4. 4:16 Thessalonica was also a city in Macedonia. Paul had taught the good news at Thessalonica too.

Some Things to Do

4 My dear brothers and sisters, I love you and want to see you. You bring me joy and make me proud of you. Continue following the Lord as I have told you.

2 Euodia and Syntyche, you both belong to the Lord, so please agree with each other. 3 For this I make a special request to my friend who has served with me so faithfully: Help these women. They worked hard with me in telling people the Good News, together with Clement and others who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life. [ a ]

4 Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.

5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. [ b ]

8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.

Paul Thanks the Philippian Believers

10 I am so happy, and I thank the Lord that you have again shown your care for me. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. 11 I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.

14 But it was good that you helped me when I needed help. 15 You people in Philippi remember when I first told the Good News there. When I left Macedonia, you were the only church that gave me help. 16 Several times you sent me things I needed when I was in Thessalonica. 17 Really, it is not that I want to get gifts from you. But I want you to have the benefit that comes from giving. 18 I have everything I need. I have even more than I need. I have all I need because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God. God accepts that sacrifice and it pleases him. 19 My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. 20 Glory to our God and Father forever and ever. Amen.

21 Give our greetings to God’s people there—to each one who belongs to Christ Jesus. Those in God’s family who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And greetings to you from all of God’s people here, especially those who work in the service of the emperor.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:3 book of life God’s book that contains the names of his chosen people. See Rev. 3:5; 21:27.
  2. Philippians 4:7 can do … minds Literally, “surpasses (is better than) every mind,” which could also have the meaning “is beyond all understanding.”

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

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

3 And 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.

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

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

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

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

8 Finally, 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.

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

10 But 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.

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

12 I 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.

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

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

15 Now 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.

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

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

18 But 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.

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

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

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

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Think of Excellence

4 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters , [ a ] whom I ( A ) long to see , my joy and crown, ( B ) stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to [ b ] ( C ) live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true [ c ] companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my ( D ) fellow workers, whose ( E ) names are in the book of life.

4 ( F ) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. ( G ) The Lord is [ d ] near. 6 ( H ) Do not [ e ] be anxious about anything, but in everything by ( I ) prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And ( J ) the peace of God, which surpasses all [ f ] comprehension, will ( K ) guard your hearts and ( L ) minds in ( M ) Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters , ( N ) whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [ g ] lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen ( O ) in me, practice these things, and ( P ) the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provisions

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last ( Q ) you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before , but you lacked an opportunity to act . 11 Not that I speak [ h ] from need, for I have learned to be [ i ] ( R ) content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going ( S ) hungry, both of having abundance and ( T ) suffering need. 13 I can do all things [ j ] through Him who ( U ) strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to ( V ) share with me in my difficulty.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the [ k ] ( W ) first preaching of the gospel, after I left ( X ) Macedonia, no church ( Y ) shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in ( Z ) Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 ( AA ) Not that I seek the gift itself , but I seek the [ l ] profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am [ m ] amply supplied, having received from ( AB ) Epaphroditus [ n ] what you have sent, [ o ] ( AC ) a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And ( AD ) my God will supply [ p ] all your needs according to His ( AE ) riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to ( AF ) our God and Father ( AG ) be the glory [ q ] forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every [ r ] saint in Christ Jesus. ( AH ) The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 ( AI ) All the [ s ] ( AJ ) saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 ( AK ) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ( AL ) be with your spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:1 Lit and longed for
  2. Philippians 4:2 Or be of the same mind
  3. Philippians 4:3 Lit yokefellow
  4. Philippians 4:5 Or at hand
  5. Philippians 4:6 I.e., have anxiety
  6. Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
  7. Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious
  8. Philippians 4:11 Lit according to
  9. Philippians 4:11 Or self-sufficient
  10. Philippians 4:13 Lit in
  11. Philippians 4:15 Lit beginning of
  12. Philippians 4:17 Lit fruit
  13. Philippians 4:18 Lit made full
  14. Philippians 4:18 Lit the things from you
  15. Philippians 4:18 Lit an odor of fragrance
  16. Philippians 4:19 Or every need of yours
  17. Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages
  18. Philippians 4:21 Or holy one ; i.e., God’s people
  19. Philippians 4:22 See note v 21

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, ( A ) my joy and crown, stand firm ( B ) in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind ( C ) in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, ( D ) whose names are in the book of life. ( E )

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ( F ) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ( G ) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, ( H ) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ( I ) 7 And the peace of God, ( J ) which transcends all understanding, ( K ) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. ( L ) And the God of peace ( M ) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. ( N ) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content ( O ) whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, ( P ) whether living in plenty or in want. ( Q ) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ( R )

14 Yet it was good of you to share ( S ) in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days ( T ) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, ( U ) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ( V ) 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, ( W ) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ( X ) 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ( Y ) 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus ( Z ) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant ( AA ) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs ( AB ) according to the riches of his glory ( AC ) in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father ( AD ) be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ( AE )

Final Greetings

21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me ( AF ) send greetings. 22 All God’s people ( AG ) here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ( AH ) be with your spirit. ( AI ) Amen. [ a ]

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen .