保罗的劝勉

我所亲爱、所想念的弟兄姊妹,你们就是我的喜乐,我的冠冕。我亲爱的弟兄姊妹,你们要靠主坚定不移。 我恳求友阿蝶和循都姬要在主里同心。 忠心的同工啊,请你帮助她们二人,因为她们曾与我、革利免和其他同工一起为福音辛劳,这些人的名字都记录在生命册上了。

你们要靠主常常喜乐!我再说,你们要喜乐! 要让众人都知道你们是谦和宽容的人。主快来了。 你们应该一无挂虑,凡事要借着祷告和祈求,以感恩的心将你们的需要告诉上帝。 这样,上帝那超越人所能理解的平安必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心思意念。

最后,弟兄姊妹,你们要思想一切真实、可敬、公义、纯洁、可爱、有好名声、有美德和值得赞许的事情。 你们从我身上学习、领受、看到和听到的,都要照着去行。这样,赐平安的上帝就必与你们同在。

致谢

10 我在主里真是非常喜乐,因为你们现在又一次关心我。其实你们向来都很关心我,只是没有机会。 11 我并非有缺乏才这样说,因为我已经学会在任何处境中都能知足。 12 我知道如何过贫穷的日子,也知道如何过富足的日子。我学到了秘诀,不论饱足或饥饿,丰裕或缺乏,在任何情况下都可以处之泰然。 13 靠着赐我力量的那位,我凡事都能做。

14 然而,你们与我共患难,真是太好了。 15 腓立比人啊!你们也知道,在我离开马其顿传福音的初期,除了你们以外,没有别的教会供应我的需要。 16 即使我在帖撒罗尼迦的时候,你们也不止一次供应过我的需要。 17 我不求得到你们的馈赠,只希望你们所做的会带给你们更大的赏赐。 18 我现在样样都有,丰富有余。我从以巴弗提手上收到了你们送给我的礼物,已经充足了。这些馈赠是蒙上帝悦纳的馨香祭物。 19 我的上帝必按照祂在基督耶稣里的荣耀,丰丰富富地赐给你们所需用的一切。

20 愿荣耀归给我们的父上帝,直到永永远远。阿们!

问候

21 请代我问候在基督耶稣里的众圣徒。我这里的弟兄姊妹也问候你们。 22 所有的圣徒,特别是在凯撒宫里工作的人,都问候你们。

23 愿主耶稣基督的恩典与你们的灵同在!

Well then, my dear family—I miss you so much, you’re my joy and crown!—this is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved people.

Celebrate in the Lord!

I have a special appeal which goes jointly to Euodia and Syntyche: please, please, come to a common mind in the Lord. (And here’s a request for you too, my loyal comrade: please help these women. They have struggled hard in the gospel alongside me, as have Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.)

Celebrate joyfully in the Lord, all the time. I’ll say it again: celebrate! Let everybody know how gentle and gracious you are. The Lord is near.

Don’t worry about anything. Rather, in every area of life let God know what you want, as you pray and make requests, and give thanks as well. And God’s peace, which is greater than we can ever understand, will keep guard over your hearts and minds in Messiah Jesus.

For the rest, my dear family, these are the things you should think through: whatever is true, whatever is holy, whatever is upright, whatever is pure, whatever is attractive, whatever has a good reputation; anything virtuous, anything praiseworthy. And these are the things you should do: what you learned, received, heard and saw in and through me. And the God of peace will be with you.

The hidden secret

10 I’ve been having a great celebration in the Lord because your concern for me has once again burst into flower. (You were of course concerned for me before, but you didn’t have an opportunity to show it.)

11 I’m not talking about lacking anything. I’ve learnt to be content with what I have. 12 I know how to do without, and I know how to cope with plenty. In every possible situation I’ve learned the hidden secret of being full and hungry, of having plenty and going without, and it’s this: 13 I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.

Closing thanks and greetings

14 But you did the right thing by entering into partnership with me in my suffering. 15 Indeed, as you people in Philippi know well, when the gospel was getting under way and I was moving on from Macedonia, there wasn’t a single other church, except yourselves, that entered into a two-way partnership with me, giving and receiving. 16 Yes: when I was in Thessalonica you sent help to me, not just once but twice.

17 I stress that it isn’t the gift I’m interested in. My concern is that you should have a healthy profit balance showing up on your account. 18 For myself, I’ve received full payment, and I’m well stocked up. In fact, I’m full to overflowing, now that I have received from Epaphroditus what you sent. It’s like a sacrifice with a beautiful smell, a worthy offering, giving pleasure to God. 19 What’s more, my God will meet all your needs, too, out of his store of glorious riches in Messiah Jesus. 20 Glory be to our God and father forever and ever, Amen!

21 Give my greetings to all God’s people in Messiah Jesus. The family with me here send their greetings. 22 All God’s people send you greetings, especially those from Caesar’s household.

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

Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, so continue in the Lord, beloved.

I encourage Euodia and I encourage Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Indeed and I ask you also, faithful colleague, to help these women who labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other of my fellow laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all. The Lord is near!

Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, let your requests be made known to God in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.

And the peace of God - which surpasses all understanding - shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true; whatever things are noble; whatever things are right; whatever things are pure; whatever things are lovely; whatever things are admirable; if there is any excellence or if there is any praise, think on these things.

That, also, which you have learned and received, and have heard and understood in me, those things do. And the God of Peace shall be with you.

10 But, I also rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last your care for me springs afresh. Though you did care before, you lacked opportunity.

11 I do not speak because of need. For I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

12 Also, I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. Everywhere, and in all things, I have learned the secret of being full and of being hungry; of abounding and of having need.

13 I have strength for all things through Christ Who empowers me.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.

15 And you, Philippians, also know that in the beginning of the Gospel (when I departed from Macedonia) no church partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you.

16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent once and then again for my needs.

17 Not that I desire a gift. But I desire the fruit which overflows to your account.

18 However, I have received all and have plenty. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus that which came from you - a sweet-smelling sacrifice, acceptable and well-pleasing to God.

19 And my God will fulfill all your needs through His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20 Now, to God our Father be praise for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet all the Saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

22 All the saints greet you, and most of all those who are of Caesar’s household.

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

(written to the Philippians from Rome and sent by Epaphroditus.)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.