And (A)the peace of God, which surpasses all [a]comprehension, will (B)guard your hearts and (C)minds in (D)Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, (E)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [b]lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen (F)in me, practice these things, and (G)the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provisions

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last (H)you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. 11 Not that I speak [c]from need, for I have learned to be [d](I)content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going (J)hungry, both of having abundance and (K)suffering need. 13 I can do all things [e]through Him who (L)strengthens me.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
  2. Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious
  3. Philippians 4:11 Lit according to
  4. Philippians 4:11 Or self-sufficient
  5. Philippians 4:13 Lit in

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [a]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [b]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [c]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

10 I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be [d] content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [e]infuses inner strength into me; I am [f]self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:7 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  2. Philippians 4:7 William Gurnall, cited by Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  3. Philippians 4:9 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek.
  4. Philippians 4:11 Literal translation: “self-sufficient.”
  5. Philippians 4:13 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  6. Philippians 4:13 Note that in Phil. 4:11, the Greek autarkas, translated “content,” is literally “self-sufficient.”

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:13 Greek through the one.