1 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, x in this manner stand firm y in the Lord, dear friends.
Practical Counsel
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, 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. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. z 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses a all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. b
8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, c whatever is honorable, d whatever is just, e whatever is pure, f whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence g and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received h 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 i you renewed your care for me. j 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 both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. k 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 who strengthens me. l 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians m know that in the early days of the gospel, n when I left Macedonia, o no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica p you sent gifts for my need q several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit ,r that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, s and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus t what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing u to God. 19 And my God v will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father w be glory forever and ever. x Amen. y
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 z household. a 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ,b
A. Encouragements to steadfastness and unity (4:1–3). 4:1–2. Paul begins this section with “so then” (4:1; cf. 2:12) as he gathers all of what he has told the Philippians into a single restatement of his message: the Philippians, whom Paul loves, are to remain faithful to the Lord. Paul then addresses two women, Euodia and Syntyche (4:2). These women are more than mere members of the Philippian community; Paul calls them coworkers who have labored beside him in the mission of the gospel (4:3). These women, along with Clement, have a leadership role in the Philippian community and should be demonstrating the unity of the gospel, not living in strife and dissension.
4:3. In addition, Paul invokes the help of a “true partner” to aid the sisters in the resolution of their issue. The identity of this individual is uncertain, but Paul assuredly uses the term “partner” in order to remind this person of his or her relationship to Paul, the gospel of Christ, and the community of faith. In this reminder, Paul empowers this person to resolve the dispute along with the help of Clement and other leaders who labor in the gospel.
B. Encouragements to prayer and noble-mindedness (4:4–9). 4:4–5. While external conflicts and anxieties may be present in the community, the Philippians are still called to rejoice because they belong to the Lord and he is watching over them (4:4). This joy is not empty but rests on the assurance of God’s goodness and grace. It is their faith “in the Lord” that allows them to rejoice in their trials. The Philippians are further called to let their “graciousness” be expressed to all people (4:5). Being “gracious” means that they must respond to their trials with love and peace, not retaliation. Paul reminds them that “the Lord is near” and that he will set things right.
4:6–7. Paul calls the Philippians to prayer as a response to their current adversity (4:6). They do not need to be anxious, because God is with them. They are called to entrust God with all their concerns by presenting specific requests before God. These requests are to be made not with a self-serving attitude but with an attitude of thanksgiving, which will take their minds off of their circumstances and help them focus on the good things that God has done. As a result, they will receive the peace that comes from God so that they may remain faithful and joyful regardless of their circumstances (4:7).
4:8–9. Paul concludes this section with a list of ethical descriptions. The Philippians need to set their minds on heavenly things and not “on earthly things” (3:19–20). They must “dwell on” these heavenly virtues (4:8), or better yet, allow these virtues to shape the way they view and move through the world even now. While this list could be understood as virtues that were common to moral philosophy in Paul’s time, the apostle states that the virtues they must follow are found in Paul’s example and teaching and the teaching and life of Christ (4:9). If these virtues are put into practice, the peace of God and the God of peace will be with them.
4:10–13. Paul rejoices not only for the gift that he has received but also for the love and care that this gift allows the Philippians to show (4:10). Paul states that he is content no matter the circumstances, which is a reference to his situation in prison (4:11). He concentrates on what is truly important: the preaching of the gospel, the imitation of Christ, and living as a citizen of heaven. As long as the gospel is being advanced and Christ is exalted, Paul is content with life in prison, martyrdom, or freedom (4:12; cf. 1:15–20). Plenty and poverty do not affect Paul’s ability to rejoice, because God’s strength gives him contentment (4:13).
4:14–17. Paul’s contentment is not meant to discourage the Philippians. Their giving is still a good thing (4:14). In fact, he reminds them of all they have done for him and the great degree to which he appreciates it. From the beginning of his ministry to them, the Philippians have constantly supported Paul, even when others refused or persecuted him (4:15). The Philippians became his partners and coworkers in the mission of the gospel, and Paul says that they have given aid “several times” (4:16). Their gift to him is like an investment that continues to accrue interest even as it furthers the mission of the gospel (4:17).
4:18–20. Paul also sees this gift as a sacrifice on the part of the Philippian congregation and one that is pleasing to God (4:18). The use of the personal pronoun in 4:19 (“my God”) shows Paul’s closeness to God and his dependence on God for the provision of both his physical and spiritual needs. Paul claims that this same God will fulfill all the Philippians’ needs, because God lacks nothing and indeed is overflowing in the “riches in glory” (4:19).
D. Greetings and benediction (4:21–23). Paul concludes his letter the same way he opened it—by greeting God’s people and commending them to God’s grace. In his benediction he shows the same concerns and pastoral sensibilities that he has maintained throughout the letter. He greets “every saint,” emphasizing the theme of unity that has been addressed throughout the letter (4:21). Paul also sends greetings from the Christian community in Rome and particularly the imperial members and servants of Caesar’s household (4:22) who have come to faith in Christ through interaction with Paul. Last, Paul wishes that the grace of Christ be with the Philippians’ spirit (4:23). Even in his final greeting, Paul calls the Philippians to focus on Christ and rely on his grace to unify and strengthen them.