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].
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
Philippians 4
King James Version
4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 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.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 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.
9 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.
Philippians 4
J.B. Phillips New Testament
4 So, my brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, do stand firmly in the Lord, and remember how much I love you.
Be united, be joyful, be at peace
2-3 Euodius and Syntyche I beg you by name to make up your differences as Christians should! And, my true fellow-worker help these women. They both worked hard with me for the Gospel, as did Clement and all my other fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life.
4-5 Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord.
6-7 Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
8-9 Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good. Model your conduct on what you have learned from me, on what I have told you and shown you, and you will find the God of peace will be with you.
The memory of your generosity is an abiding joy to me
10-13 It has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such interest in my welfare. I don’t mean that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing your concern. Nor do I mean that I have been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.
14-17 Nevertheless I am not disparaging the way in which you were willing to share my troubles. You Philippians will remember that in the early days of the Gospel when I left Macedonia, you were the only church who shared with me the fellowship of giving and receiving. Even in Thessalonica you twice sent me help when I was in need. It isn’t the value of the gift that I am keen on, it is the reward that will come to you because of these gifts that you have made.
18-20 Now I have everything I want—in fact I am rich. Yes, I am quite content, thanks to your gifts received through Epaphroditus. Your generosity is like a lovely fragrance, a sacrifice that pleases the very heart of God. My God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus. And may glory be to our God and our Father for ever and ever, amen!
Farewell messages
21-22 Greetings to every true Christian, from me and all the brothers here with me. All the Christians here would like to send their best wishes, particularly those who belong to the emperor’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
PAUL
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.