Philippians 4
New English Translation
Christian Practices
4 So then, my brothers and sisters,[a] dear friends whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand in the Lord in this way, my dear friends!
2 I appeal to Euodia and to Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I say also to you, true companion,[b] help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry[c] along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone see your gentleness.[d] The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds[e] in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters,[f] whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
Appreciation for Support
10 I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.)[g] 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. 12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment,[h] whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 13 I am able to do all things[i] through the one[j] who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.
15 And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion[k] you sent something for my need. 17 I do not say this because I am seeking a gift.[l] Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account. 18 For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Give greetings to all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers[m] with me here send greetings. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[n]
Footnotes
- Philippians 4:1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.
- Philippians 4:3 tn Or “faithful fellow worker.” This is more likely a descriptive noun, although some scholars interpret the word σύζυγος (suzugos) here as a proper name (“Syzygos”), L&N 42.45.
- Philippians 4:3 tn Grk “in the gospel,” a metonymy in which the gospel itself is substituted for the ministry of making the gospel known.
- Philippians 4:5 tn Grk “let your gentleness be seen by all.” The passive voice construction has been converted to active voice in the translation for stylistic reasons.
- Philippians 4:7 tn Grk “will guard the hearts of you and the minds of you.” To improve the English style, the second occurrence of ὑμῶν (humōn, “of you”) has not been translated, since it is somewhat redundant in English.
- Philippians 4:8 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:12.
- Philippians 4:10 tn Grk “for you were even concerned, but you lacked opportunity.”
- Philippians 4:12 tn The words “of contentment” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by Paul’s remarks at the end of v. 11.
- Philippians 4:13 tn The Greek word translated “all things” is in emphatic position at the beginning of the Greek sentence.
- Philippians 4:13 tc Although some excellent witnesses lack explicit reference to the one strengthening Paul (so א* A B D* I 33 1739 lat co Cl), the majority of witnesses (א2 D2 [F G] Ψ 075 1175 1241 1505 1881 2464 M al sy Hier) add Χριστῷ (Christō) here (thus, “through Christ who strengthens me”). But this kind of reading is patently secondary, and is a predictable variant. Further, the shorter reading is much harder, for it leaves the agent unspecified.
- Philippians 4:16 tn Or “several times”; Grk, “both once and twice.” The literal expression “once and twice” is frequently used as a Greek idiom referring to an indefinite low number, but more than once (“several times”); see L&N 60.70.
- Philippians 4:17 tn Grk “Not that I am seeking the gift.” The phrase “I do not say this…” has been supplied in the translation to complete the thought for the modern reader.
- Philippians 4:21 tn Or perhaps, “The brothers and sisters” (so TEV, TNIV; cf. NRSV “The friends”; CEV “The Lord’s followers”) If “brothers” refers to Paul’s traveling companions, it is probably that only men are in view (cf. NAB, NLT). Since v. 22 mentions “all the saints,” which presumably includes everyone, it is more probable here that only Paul’s traveling companions are in view.
- Philippians 4:23 tc Most witnesses, including several significant ones (P46 א A D Ψ 33 1175 1241 1505 2464 M lat sy bo), have ἀμήν (amēn, “amen”) at the end of this letter, while an impressive combination of Alexandrian and Western mss (B F G 075 6 075 1739* 1881 sa Ambst) lack the valedictory particle. Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Thus, on internal grounds, with sufficient support from external evidence, the preferred reading is the omission of ἀμήν.
Filippesi 4
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
4 Perciò, fratelli miei carissimi e tanto desiderati, mia gioia e mia corona, rimanete saldi nel Signore così come avete imparato, carissimi!
Ultimi consigli
2 Esorto Evòdia ed esorto anche Sìntiche ad andare d'accordo nel Signore. 3 E prego te pure, mio fedele collaboratore, di aiutarle, poiché hanno combattuto per il vangelo insieme con me, con Clemente e con gli altri miei collaboratori, i cui nomi sono nel libro della vita.
4 Rallegratevi nel Signore, sempre; ve lo ripeto ancora, rallegratevi. 5 La vostra affabilità sia nota a tutti gli uomini. Il Signore è vicino! 6 Non angustiatevi per nulla, ma in ogni necessità esponete a Dio le vostre richieste, con preghiere, suppliche e ringraziamenti; 7 e la pace di Dio, che sorpassa ogni intelligenza, custodirà i vostri cuori e i vostri pensieri in Cristo Gesù.
8 In conclusione, fratelli, tutto quello che è vero, nobile, giusto, puro, amabile, onorato, quello che è virtù e merita lode, tutto questo sia oggetto dei vostri pensieri. 9 Ciò che avete imparato, ricevuto, ascoltato e veduto in me, è quello che dovete fare. E il Dio della pace sarà con voi!
Ringraziamenti per gli aiuti mandati
10 Ho provato grande gioia nel Signore, perché finalmente avete fatto rifiorire i vostri sentimenti nei miei riguardi: in realtà li avevate anche prima, ma non ne avete avuta l'occasione. 11 Non dico questo per bisogno, poiché ho imparato a bastare a me stesso in ogni occasione; 12 ho imparato ad essere povero e ho imparato ad essere ricco; sono iniziato a tutto, in ogni maniera: alla sazietà e alla fame, all'abbondanza e all'indigenza. 13 Tutto posso in colui che mi dà la forza.
14 Avete fatto bene tuttavia a prendere parte alla mia tribolazione. 15 Ben sapete proprio voi, Filippesi, che all'inizio della predicazione del vangelo, quando partii dalla Macedonia, nessuna Chiesa aprì con me un conto di dare o di avere, se non voi soli; 16 ed anche a Tessalonica mi avete inviato per due volte il necessario. 17 Non è però il vostro dono che io ricerco, ma il frutto che ridonda a vostro vantaggio. 18 Adesso ho il necessario e anche il superfluo; sono ricolmo dei vostri doni ricevuti da Epafrodìto, che sono un profumo di soave odore, un sacrificio accetto e gradito a Dio. 19 Il mio Dio, a sua volta, colmerà ogni vostro bisogno secondo la sua ricchezza con magnificenza in Cristo Gesù. 20 Al Dio e Padre nostro sia gloria nei secoli dei secoli. Amen.
Saluti e augurio finale.
21 Salutate ciascuno dei santi in Cristo Gesù. 22 Vi salutano i fratelli che sono con me. Vi salutano tutti i santi, soprattutto quelli della casa di Cesare.
23 La grazia del Signore Gesù Cristo sia con il vostro spirito.
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