So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown,(A) in this manner stand firm(B) in the Lord, dear friends.

Practical Counsel

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner,[a] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness[b] be known to everyone. The Lord is near.(C) Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses(D) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(E)

Finally[c] brothers and sisters, whatever is true,(F) whatever is honorable,(G) whatever is just,(H) whatever is pure,(I) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence(J) and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received(K) and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again(L) you renewed your care for me.(M) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.(N) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him[d] who strengthens me.(O) 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

15 And you Philippians(P) know that in the early days of the gospel,(Q) when I left Macedonia,(R) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica(S) you sent gifts for my need(T) several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[e](U) that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full,(V) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,[f] having received from Epaphroditus(W) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing(X) to God. 19 And my God(Y) will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father(Z) be glory forever and ever.(AA) Amen.(AB)

Final Greetings

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s(AC) household.(AD) 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[g](AE)

Footnotes

  1. 4:3 Or true Syzygus, possibly a person’s name
  2. 4:5 Or gentleness
  3. 4:8 Or In addition
  4. 4:13 Other mss read Christ
  5. 4:17 Lit fruit
  6. 4:18 Or Here, then, is my receipt for everything, I have an abundance, for I am fully supplied
  7. 4:23 Other mss add Amen.

Appeal for Unity

So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to be in agreement[a] in the Lord. Yes, I ask also you, true yokefellow, help them, who struggled along with me in the gospel with both Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.

Be Anxious for Nothing

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds[b] in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things. And the things which you have learned and received and heard about and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Support for Paul’s Ministry

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your concern for me[c], for whom also you were thinking, but you had no opportunity to express it. 11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how both to make do with little[d] and I know how to have an abundance[e]. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to have an abundance[f] and to go without. 13 I am able to do all things by the one who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well by sharing[g] with me in my affliction. 15 Now you also know, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone, 16 because even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion[h] you sent for my need. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek for the profit that increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am well supplied[i] because[j] I received from Epaphroditus what you had sent[k], a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fulfill your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever[l]. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, and especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:2 Literally “to think the same thing
  2. Philippians 4:7 Or “thoughts”
  3. Philippians 4:10 Literally “you have revived to think on behalf of me”
  4. Philippians 4:12 Literally “to be humbled”
  5. Philippians 4:12 Literally “to abound”
  6. Philippians 4:12 Literally “to abound”
  7. Philippians 4:14 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sharing”) which is understood as means
  8. Philippians 4:16 Literally “both once and twice”
  9. Philippians 4:18 Literally “I have been made full”
  10. Philippians 4:18 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“received”) which is understood as causal
  11. Philippians 4:18 Literally “the things from you”
  12. Philippians 4:20 Literally “to the ages of the ages”