保羅的勸勉

我所親愛、所想念的弟兄姊妹,你們就是我的喜樂,我的冠冕。我親愛的弟兄姊妹,你們要靠主堅定不移。 我懇求友阿蝶和循都姬要在主裡同心。 忠心的同工啊,請你幫助她們二人,因為她們曾與我、革利免和其他同工一起為福音辛勞,這些人的名字都記錄在生命冊上了。

你們要靠主常常喜樂!我再說,你們要喜樂! 要讓眾人都知道你們是謙和寬容的人。主快來了。 你們應該一無掛慮,凡事要藉著禱告和祈求,以感恩的心將你們的需要告訴上帝。 這樣,上帝那超越人所能理解的平安必在基督耶穌裡保守你們的心思意念。

最後,弟兄姊妹,你們要思想一切真實、可敬、公義、純潔、可愛、有好名聲、有美德和值得讚許的事情。 你們從我身上學習、領受、看到和聽到的,都要照著去行。這樣,賜平安的上帝就必與你們同在。

致謝

10 我在主裡真是非常喜樂,因為你們現在又一次關心我。其實你們向來都很關心我,只是沒有機會。 11 我並非有缺乏才這樣說,因為我已經學會在任何處境中都能知足。 12 我知道如何過貧窮的日子,也知道如何過富足的日子。我學到了秘訣,不論飽足或饑餓,豐裕或缺乏,在任何情況下都可以處之泰然。 13 靠著賜我力量的那位,我凡事都能做。

14 然而,你們與我共患難,真是太好了。 15 腓立比人啊!你們也知道,在我離開馬其頓傳福音的初期,除了你們以外,沒有別的教會供應我的需要。 16 即使我在帖撒羅尼迦的時候,你們也不止一次供應過我的需要。 17 我不求得到你們的饋贈,只希望你們所做的會帶給你們更大的賞賜。 18 我現在樣樣都有,豐富有餘。我從以巴弗提手上收到了你們送給我的禮物,已經充足了。這些饋贈是蒙上帝悅納的馨香祭物。 19 我的上帝必按照祂在基督耶穌裡的榮耀,豐豐富富地賜給你們所需用的一切。

20 願榮耀歸給我們的父上帝,直到永永遠遠。阿們!

問候

21 請代我問候在基督耶穌裡的眾聖徒。我這裡的弟兄姊妹也問候你們。 22 所有的聖徒,特別是在凱撒宮裡工作的人,都問候你們。

23 願主耶穌基督的恩典與你們的靈同在!

Be Anxious for Nothing; Think These Thoughts

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

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche (D)to be of the same mind in the Lord. [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.

(G)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. (H)The Lord is at hand.

(I)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with (J)thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and (K)the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

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. 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

  1. Philippians 4:3 NU, M Yes
  2. Philippians 4:5 graciousness or forbearance
  3. Philippians 4:10 you have revived your care
  4. Philippians 4:12 live humbly
  5. Philippians 4:12 live in prosperity
  6. Philippians 4:13 NU Him who
  7. Philippians 4:18 Or have received all
  8. Philippians 4:23 NU your spirit

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.