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.

He greets certain of them, exhorts them to live and bear themselves honourably, and thanks them for the provision that they made for him in prison.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, continue in such a way in the Lord, beloveds. I pray Euodias and beseech Syntyche to be of one accord in the Lord. Yea and I beseech you, faithful yokefellow, help the women who laboured with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and with my other labour-fellows whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in all things let your requests be made known to God, in prayer and supplication with giving of thanks. And may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Furthermore, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things belong to love, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtuous thing, if there be any praiseworthy thing: these same have in your minds. The things you have both learned and received, heard and also seen in me, those things do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at the last you have come around again to care for me – where you had been concerned, but you lacked opportunity. 11 I am not speaking out of need. For I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I can both cast myself down and I can also prosper. Everywhere and in all things I am taught both to be full and to be hungry, to have plenty and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things with the help of Christ, who strengthens me. 14 Notwithstanding, you have done well to bear part with me in my tribulation.

15 You of Philippi know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no congregation bore part with me (as regards giving and receiving) but you only. 16 For when I was in Thessalonica, you sent once and afterward again to supply my needs – 17 not that I desire gifts, but I desire abundant fruit on your parts. 18 I welcomed everything, and have plenty. I was filled after I received from Epaphroditus that which came from you, an odour that smells sweet, a sacrifice accepted and pleasing to God.

19 May my God fulfil all your needs through his glorious riches in Jesus Christ. 20 To our God and Father be glory forevermore. Amen.

21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me  greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, and most of all those who are of the Emperor’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Sent from Rome by the hand
of Epaphroditus.