Philippians 4
Lexham English Bible
Appeal for Unity
4 So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. 2 I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to be in agreement[a] in the Lord. 3 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
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds[b] in Christ Jesus. 8 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. 9 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
- Philippians 4:2 Literally “to think the same thing”
- Philippians 4:7 Or “thoughts”
- Philippians 4:10 Literally “you have revived to think on behalf of me”
- Philippians 4:12 Literally “to be humbled”
- Philippians 4:12 Literally “to abound”
- Philippians 4:12 Literally “to abound”
- Philippians 4:14 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sharing”) which is understood as means
- Philippians 4:16 Literally “both once and twice”
- Philippians 4:18 Literally “I have been made full”
- Philippians 4:18 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“received”) which is understood as causal
- Philippians 4:18 Literally “the things from you”
- Philippians 4:20 Literally “to the ages of the ages”
Philippians 4
Expanded Bible
What the Christians Are to Do
4 [L Therefore; So then] My brothers and sisters, ·I love you and want to see you [L my beloved and longed-for ones]. ·You bring me joy and make me proud of you [L …my joy and crown; 1 Thess. 2:19; C a wreath bestowed for victory or honor], so stand ·strong [firm] in the Lord as I have told you, ·dear friends [beloved].
2 I ·ask [urge; encourage; exhort] Euodia and Syntyche [C two women in the Philippian congregation] to agree in the Lord. 3 And I ask you, my ·faithful [true; genuine] ·friend [companion; L yoke-partner; C possibly a proper name: Syzygos], to help these women. They ·served [struggled; labored] with me in telling the ·Good News [Gospel], together with Clement and ·others who worked with me [L the rest of my coworkers], whose names are written in the book of life [Rev. 3:5; 21:27].
4 ·Be full of joy [Rejoice] in the Lord always. I will say again, ·be full of joy [rejoice].
5 Let everyone see that you are ·gentle [kind; considerate; patient]. The Lord is ·coming soon [or close at hand; L near]. 6 Do not ·worry [be anxious] about anything, but pray and ·ask God for everything you need [or make your requests known to God], always giving thanks. 7 And God’s peace, which ·is so great we cannot understand it [transcends/surpasses all comprehension], will ·keep [guard] your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 [L Finally; In conclusion; or Now then] Brothers and sisters, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] things that are true and honorable and ·right [just] and pure and ·beautiful [lovely] and ·respected [commendable]. If there is anything that is ·good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] these things. 9 Do what you learned and received and heard ·from [L in] me, and what you saw ·me do [L in me]. And the God ·who gives [L of] peace will be with you.
Paul Thanks the Christians
10 I ·am very happy [L rejoiced greatly] in the Lord that you have ·shown [renewed; revived] your ·care [concern] for me again. You continued to ·care [be concerned] about me, but ·there was no way for you [you had no opportunity] to show it. 11 I am not telling you this because I need anything. [L For] I have learned to be ·satisfied [content] ·whatever the circumstances [or with whatever I have]. 12 I know how to live when I am ·poor [in humble circumstances], and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the ·secret of being happy [L secret] ·at any time in everything that happens [or in any and all circumstances], when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have ·more than I need [plenty; an abundance] and when I do not have enough. 13 I can do all things through ·Christ, because he [L the one who] gives me strength.
14 ·But [However; Nevertheless] it was good that you ·helped [shared/partnered with] me ·when I needed it [L in my trouble/trial]. 15 You Philippians remember ·when I first preached the Good News there [or when you first believed the Good News/Gospel; L in the beginning of the Good News/Gospel; Acts 16:11–40]. When I left Macedonia [C the northern part of present-day Greece; Acts 17:14–15], ·you were the only church that [L no church except you alone] ·gave me help [L shared/partnered with me in matters of giving and receiving; C business terminology; the Philippians “invested” in Paul’s ministry and received back spiritual blessings]. 16 [L For] Even when I was in Thessalonica [C shortly after leaving Philippi; Thessalonica is southwest of Philippi; Acts 17:1–9] ·several times [L both once and twice] you sent me things I needed. 17 Really, it is not that I ·want to receive gifts from you [L seek the gift], but I ·want you to have the good that comes from giving [L seek the profit/fruit that increases to your account; C more business terminology; v. 15]. 18 And now I have ·everything [or received full payment], and more. I ·have all I need [or am fully supplied/filled up], because Epaphroditus [2:25] brought your gifts to me. They are ·like a sweet-smelling offering to God [L a fragrant aroma], a sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to him. 19 [L And] My God will ·meet [supply; fulfill] all of your needs ·from [L according to] his ·wonderful riches [glorious riches; or riches in heaven/glory] in Christ Jesus. 20 Glory to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Greet each ·of God’s people [T saint] in Christ Jesus. ·Those [L The brothers (and sisters)] who are with me send greetings to you. 22 All of ·God’s people [T the saints] greet you, particularly those from ·the palace of Caesar [L Caesar’s household; C the soldiers, slaves, and freedmen engaged in imperial service].
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with ·you all [your spirit].
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