Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

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!

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind(C) in the Lord. 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

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

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. 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.

Think of Excellence

Therefore, my [a]fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, I ask you too, my true companion, to help these women [to keep on cooperating], for they have shared my struggle in the [cause of the] gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.(A)

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!(B) Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].(C)

Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

God’s Provisions

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 14 Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of preaching the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of [c]giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you]. 18 But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. 19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be the glory [d]forever and ever. Amen.

21 Remember me to every [e]saint in Christ Jesus. The [f]brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All [g]God’s people wish to be remembered to you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

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

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:1 Lit brethren.
  2. Philippians 4:8 Lit brethren.
  3. Philippians 4:15 The word used here was commonly used in financial transactions referring to payments or installments.
  4. Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages.
  5. Philippians 4:21 Every born-again believer (saint) has been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose.
  6. Philippians 4:21 Lit brethren.
  7. Philippians 4:22 Lit the saints.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

Words of Encouragement

Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner,[b] to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.[c]

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[d] who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

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

Paul’s Final Greetings

21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[e]

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Greek brothers; also in 4:8.
  2. 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus.
  3. 4:5 Greek the Lord is near.
  4. 4:13 Greek through the one.
  5. 4:23 Some manuscripts add Amen.

Therefore hōste, my egō brothers adelphos, you whom I love agapētos and kai long epipothētos for , my egō joy chara and kai crown stephanos, stand firm stēkō in en the Lord kyrios in this way houtōs, my dear friends agapētos!

I urge parakaleō Euodia euodia and kai I urge parakaleō Syntyche Syntychē to agree ho in en the Lord kyrios. Yes nai, I ask erōtaō you sy also kai, my true gnēsios comrade syzygos, help syllambanō these women autos who hostis have labored side by side with synathleō me egō in en the cause of the ho gospel euangelion, along kai with meta Clement Klēmēs and kai the ho rest loipos of my egō fellow synergos workers , whose hos · ho names onoma are in en the book biblos of life zōē.

Rejoice chairō in en the Lord kyrios always pantote; again palin I say legō, Rejoice chairō! Let · ho your hymeis gentleness epieikēs be known ginōskō to every pas person anthrōpos. The ho Lord kyrios is at hand engys. Do merimnaō not be anxious about merimnaō anything mēdeis, but alla in en everything pas by ho prayer proseuchē and kai · ho supplication deēsis with meta thanksgiving eucharistia let · ho your hymeis requests aitēma be made known gnōrizō to pros · ho God theos. And kai the ho peace eirēnē of ho God theos, which ho surpasses hyperechō all pas understanding nous, will guard phroureō · ho your hymeis hearts kardia and kai · ho your hymeis minds noēma in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous.

· ho Finally loipos, brothers adelphos, whatever hosos is eimi true alēthēs, whatever hosos is honorable semnos, whatever hosos is just dikaios, whatever hosos is pure hagnos, whatever hosos is lovely prosphilēs, whatever hosos is commendable euphēmos, if ei there is any tis excellence aretē, · kai if ei there is anything tis worthy epainos of praise , let your mind dwell on logizomai these things houtos. What hos · kai you have learned manthanō and kai received paralambanō and kai heard akouō and kai seen in en me egō put these things houtos into practice prassō, and kai the ho God theos of ho peace eirēnē will be eimi with meta you hymeis.

10 I rejoice chairō · de in en the Lord kyrios greatly megalōs that hoti now ēdē at last pote you have revived anathallō your ho concern phroneō for hyper me egō. Indeed epi hos, you were concerned phroneō before kai, but de you had no opportunity akaireomai. 11 I am legō not ou saying legō this because hoti I am in kata need hysterēsis, for gar I egō have learned manthanō to be eimi content autarkēs in en whatever hos circumstance I find myself eimi. 12 I know oida · kai what it is to be in want tapeinoō, and kai I know oida what it is to have an abundance perisseuō. In en any pas and kai every pas circumstance I have learned the secret myeō, whether kai I am well-fed chortazō or kai hungry peinaō, · kai have plenty perisseuō or kai am in need hystereō. 13 I can do ischuō all things pas through en the ho one who strengthens endynamoō me egō. 14 However plēn, you have acted poieō nobly kalōs, sharing with synkoinōneō me egō in my ho distress thlipsis.

15 And de you hymeis Philippians Philippēsios know oida · kai that hoti in en the beginning archē of my ho gospel euangelion ministry , when hote I left exerchomai Macedonia Makedonia, no oudeis church ekklēsia joined with koinōneō me egō in eis giving dosis and kai receiving lēmpsis but ei mē you hymeis only monos, 16 for hoti even kai in en Thessalonica Thessalonikē · kai you sent pempō something more than once hapax · kai for eis · ho my egō need chreia. 17 Not ou that hoti I seek epizēteō the ho gift doma; rather alla, I seek epizēteō the ho interest karpos that ho accrues pleonazō to eis your hymeis account logos. 18 I have received apechō · de all pas I need and kai more perisseuō. I am well supplied plēroō, having received dechomai from para Epaphroditus Epaphroditos the ho gift you hymeis sent para, a fragrant osmē offering euōdia, a sacrifice thusia acceptable dektos and pleasing euarestos to ho God theos. 19 · ho And de my egō God theos will supply plēroō your hymeis every pas need chreia according to kata · ho his autos glorious doxa riches ploutos in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous. 20 To ho · de our hēmeis God theos and kai Father patēr be · ho glory doxa for eis all ho time aiōn ho. · ho Amen amēn.

21 Greet aspazomai every pas saint hagios in en Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous. The ho brothers adelphos who are with syn me egō send their greetings to aspazomai you hymeis. 22 All pas the ho saints hagios greet aspazomai you hymeis, especially malista · de those ho of ek · ho Caesar’ s Kaisar household oikia. 23 The ho grace charis of the ho Lord kyrios Jesus Iēsous Christ Christos be with meta · ho your hymeis spirit pneuma.