Philippians 4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
VI. Instructions for the Community[a]
Chapter 4
Live in Concord. 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.(A)
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche[b] to come to a mutual understanding in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate,[c] to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.(B)
Joy and Peace. 4 Rejoice[d] in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!(C) 5 Your kindness[e] should be known to all. The Lord is near.(D) 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.(E) 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(F)
8 (G)Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.[f] 9 Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.(H) Then the God of peace will be with you.[g]
VII. Gratitude for the Philippians’ Generosity[h]
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.(I) 11 Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.(J) 12 I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.(K) 14 Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
15 You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the gospel,[i] when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. 17 It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. 18 I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacrifice,[j] pleasing to God.(L) 19 My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.(M) 20 To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.(N)
VIII. Farewell[k]
21 Give my greetings to every holy one in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings; 22 (O)all the holy ones send you their greetings, especially those of Caesar’s household.[l] 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Footnotes
- 4:1–9 This series of ethical admonitions rests especially on the view of Christ and his coming (cf. Phil 4:5) in Phil 3:20–21. Paul’s instructions touch on unity within the congregation, joy, prayer, and the Christian outlook on life.
- 4:2 Euodia…Syntyche: two otherwise unknown women in the Philippian congregation; on the advice to them, cf. Phil 2:2–4.
- 4:3 Yokemate: or “comrade,” although the Greek syzygos could also be a proper name. Clement: otherwise unknown, although later writers sought to identify him with Clement, bishop of Rome (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.15.1).
- 4:4 Rejoice: see note on Phil 3:1.
- 4:5 Kindness: considerateness, forbearance, fairness. The Lord is near: most likely a reference to Christ’s parousia (Phil 1:6, 10; 3:20–21; 1 Cor 16:22), although some sense an echo of Ps 119:151 and the perpetual presence of the Lord.
- 4:8 The language employs terms from Roman Stoic thought.
- 4:9 Cf. note on Phil 3:17.
- 4:10–20 Paul, more directly than anywhere else in the letter (cf. Phil 1:3–5), here thanks the Philippians for their gift of money sent through Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25). Paul’s own policy was to be self-sufficient as a missionary, supporting himself by his own labor (1 Thes 2:5–9; 1 Cor 9:15–18; cf. Acts 18:2–3). In spite of this reliance on self and on God to provide (Phil 4:11–13) Paul accepted gifts from the Philippians not only once but more than once (Phil 4:16) when he was in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9), as he does now, in prison (my distress, Phil 4:14). While commercial terms appear in the passage, like an account of giving and receiving (Phil 4:15) and received full payment (Phil 4:18), Paul is most concerned about the spiritual growth of the Philippians (Phil 4:10, 17, 19); he emphasizes that God will care for their needs, through Christ.
- 4:15 The beginning of the gospel: it was at Philippi that Paul first preached Christ in Europe, going on from there to Thessalonica and Beroea (Acts 16:9–17:14).
- 4:18 Aroma…sacrifice: Old Testament cultic language (cf. Gn 8:21; Ex 29:18, 25, 41; Lv 1:9, 13; Ez 20:41) applied to the Philippians’ gift; cf. Eph 5:2; 2 Cor 2:14–16.
- 4:21–23 On the usual greetings at the conclusion of a letter, see note on 1 Cor 16:19–24. Inclusion of greetings from all the holy ones in the place from which Paul writes would involve even the Christians of Phil 1:14–18 who had their differences with Paul.
- 4:22 Those of Caesar’s household: minor officials or even slaves and freedmen, found in Ephesus or Rome, among other places.
Filippesi 4
Nuova Riveduta 2006
4 Perciò, fratelli miei cari e desideratissimi, allegrezza e corona mia, state in questa maniera saldi nel Signore, o diletti!
Raccomandazioni varie
2 (A)Esorto Evodia ed esorto Sintìche a essere concordi nel Signore. 3 Sì, prego pure te[a], mio fedele collaboratore, vieni in aiuto a queste donne, che hanno lottato per il vangelo insieme a me, a Clemente e agli altri miei collaboratori i cui nomi sono nel libro della vita.
4 (B)Rallegratevi sempre nel Signore. Ripeto: rallegratevi.
5 La vostra mansuetudine sia nota a tutti gli uomini. Il Signore è vicino. 6 Non angustiatevi di nulla, ma in ogni cosa fate conoscere le vostre richieste a Dio in preghiere e suppliche, accompagnate da ringraziamenti. 7 E la pace di Dio, che supera ogni intelligenza, custodirà i vostri cuori e i vostri pensieri in Cristo Gesù.
8 Quindi, fratelli, tutte le cose vere, tutte le cose onorevoli, tutte le cose giuste, tutte le cose pure, tutte le cose amabili, tutte le cose di buona fama, quelle in cui è qualche virtù e qualche lode, siano oggetto dei vostri pensieri. 9 Le cose che avete imparate, ricevute, udite da me e viste in me, fatele; e il Dio della pace sarà con voi.
Liberalità dei Filippesi e disinteresse di Paolo
10 (C)Ho avuto una grande gioia nel Signore, perché finalmente avete rinnovato le vostre cure per me; ci pensavate sì, ma vi mancava l’opportunità. 11 Non lo dico perché mi trovi nel bisogno, poiché io ho imparato ad accontentarmi dello stato in cui mi trovo. 12 So vivere nella povertà e anche nell’abbondanza; in tutto e per tutto ho imparato a essere saziato e ad aver fame; a essere nell’abbondanza e nell’indigenza. 13 Io posso ogni cosa in colui che mi fortifica[b]. 14 Tuttavia avete fatto bene a prendere parte alla mia afflizione.
15 Anche voi sapete, Filippesi, che quando cominciai a predicare il vangelo, dopo aver lasciato la Macedonia, nessuna chiesa mi fece parte di nulla per quanto concerne il dare e l’avere, se non voi soli; 16 perché anche a Tessalonica[c] mi avete mandato, una prima e poi una seconda volta, ciò che mi occorreva. 17 Non lo dico perché io ricerchi i doni; ricerco piuttosto il frutto che abbondi a vostro conto. 18 Ora ho ricevuto ogni cosa e sono nell’abbondanza. Sono ricolmo di beni, avendo ricevuto da Epafròdito quello che mi avete mandato e che è un profumo di odore soave, un sacrificio accetto e gradito a Dio. 19 Il mio Dio provvederà a ogni vostro bisogno, secondo la sua gloriosa ricchezza, in Cristo Gesù. 20 Al Dio e Padre nostro sia la gloria nei secoli dei secoli. Amen.
Saluti
21 (D)Salutate ognuno dei santi in Cristo Gesù. 22 I fratelli che sono con me vi salutano. Tutti i santi vi salutano e specialmente quelli della casa di Cesare.
23 La grazia del Signore Gesù Cristo sia con lo spirito vostro[d]. [Amen.]
Footnotes
- Filippesi 4:3 TR E prego pure te…
- Filippesi 4:13 TR e M in Cristo che mi fortifica.
- Filippesi 4:16 Tessalonica, dove Paolo si era recato dopo essere partito da Filippi.
- Filippesi 4:23 TR e M sia con tutti voi.
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
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
