Philippians 4
New King James Version
Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts
4 Therefore, my beloved and (A)longed-for brethren, (B)my joy and crown, so (C)stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche (D)to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 [a]And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who (E)labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in (F)the Book of Life.
4 (G)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. (H)The Lord is at hand.
6 (I)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with (J)thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and (K)the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are (L)true, whatever things are (M)noble, whatever things are (N)just, (O)whatever things are pure, whatever things are (P)lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and (Q)the God of peace will be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last (R)your[c] care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, (S)to be content: 12 (T)I know how to [d]be abased, and I know how to [e]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things (U)through [f]Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that (V)you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, (W)no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (X)the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I [g]have all and abound. I am full, having received from (Y)Epaphroditus the things sent from you, (Z)a sweet-smelling aroma, (AA)an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God (AB)shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 (AC)Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren (AD)who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with [h]you all. Amen.
Footnotes
- Philippians 4:3 NU, M Yes
- Philippians 4:5 graciousness or forbearance
- Philippians 4:10 you have revived your care
- Philippians 4:12 live humbly
- Philippians 4:12 live in prosperity
- Philippians 4:13 NU Him who
- Philippians 4:18 Or have received all
- Philippians 4:23 NU your spirit
Philippians 4
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 4
1 Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and for whom I long, my joy and crown: stand firm in the Lord, beloved.
Counsels and Thanksgiving
Christian Concord.[a] 2 I exhort both Euodia and Syntyche to come to a mutual understanding in the Lord. 3 I also ask you, my loyal companion Syzygus, to help these women, for they have struggled alongside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice without Ceasing.[b] 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say: Rejoice! 5 Let your kindness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but present your needs to God in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
All That Is Truly Human Is Christian.[c] 8 Finally, brethren, let your minds be filled with whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise. 9 Do the things that you have learned, received, and heard from me and that you saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Acknowledgment of the Community’s Gift[d]
10 Contentment in Any Circumstances. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you have renewed your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I do not say this because I have been in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.
12 I know how to live with little, and I know how to live with plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
14 Philippian Generosity. Even so, it was kind of you to share my difficulties. 15 You Philippians are aware that in the early days of the gospel[e] when I set out from Macedonia, not a single Church other than yours shared with me in giving and receiving. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me something for my needs on more than one occasion.
17 Do not think that it is the gift that I value most. What I desire is for the interest to mount up in your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough. I am satisfied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God.[f] 19 And my God will fully supply all your needs out of the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Doxology. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion
21 Final Greetings.[g] Give my greetings to every one of the saints in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me send their greetings to you, 22 as do all the saints here, especially those in the emperor’s service.
23 Benediction.[h] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Footnotes
- Philippians 4:2 Lines of communication are established in all the new communities, and women play an important role in their life and apostolate. Doubtless, members at times experience the difficulty of living and working together, as is the case between Euodia and Syntyche. Paul is confident that these two good women will be reconciled to one another. Clement: it is possible, but not certain, that this is Clement, the first Roman Pope. Book of life: an image current at the time to evoke the collectivity of the saved (see Ex 32:32; Ps 69:29; Isa 4:3; Dan 12:1; Rev 3:5).
- Philippians 4:4 Joy is the great secret of Christians, the sign that faith has triumphed over all fears, the normal fruit of a spiritual life that progresses. The peace of God is more profound than any kind of peace that the human spirit can attain solely by its own effort.
- Philippians 4:8 Radically detached from earthly goods, a purified heart is able to recognize the gifts of Christ through all human values. In these verses, Etienne Gilson saw “the eternal charter of Christian humanism.”
- Philippians 4:10 Even when in need, Paul did not want to depend on the communities for material help (see 1 Cor 9:14, 18; 2 Cor 11:7-10; 12:13-18; 1 Thes 2:5-9; 2 Thes 3:7-9), and he made no exception except for the Christians of Philippi with whom he had especially cordial ties. Like a true poor person, he remains free in any situation, enriched or deprived, ready to accept whatever will come—for the important thing is to serve the Gospel.
- Philippians 4:15 Early days of the gospel: during Paul’s second missionary journey, when he first preached the Gospel in Europe at Philippi (Acts 16:9ff).
- Philippians 4:18 A fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God: Paul sees the Philippians’ gift to him in terms of the Old Testament sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise (see Lev 7:12-15; Rom 12:1; Eph 5:2; Heb 13:15f).
- Philippians 4:21 Paul mentions especially those who in some way ensure the service of the emperor: dignitaries and soldiers, freedmen or slaves. Hence, Christians are also part of these circles.
- Philippians 4:23 Paul adds a typical closing benediction. Your spirit: i.e., the whole person viewed from his inner side (see Gal 6:18; 2 Tim 4:22; Philem 25).
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
