Philippians Chapter 4

From The Open Bible Project

4:1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

• (1) A rehearsal of the conclusion: that they bravely continue until they have gotten the victory, trusting in the Lord’s strength.
• (a) My honour.
• (b) In that unification of which the Lord is the bond.

4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.

• (2) He also calls on some by name, partly because they needed private exhortation, and partly also to stir up others to be more prompt and ready.

4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

• (c) God is said, after the manner of men, to have a book, in which the names of his elect are written, to whom he will give everlasting life. Ezekiel calls it the writing of the house of Israel, and the secret of the Lord; (Ezekiel 13:9).

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!

• (3) He adds particular exhortations: and the first is, that the joy of the Philippians should not be hindered by any afflictions that the wicked imagine and work against them.
• (d) So is the joy of the world distinguished from our joy.

4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

• Paul is explicitly telling the Philippians that Jesus is about to come soon in their lifetime. -KC
• (4) The second is, that taking all things in good part, they behave themselves moderately with all men.
• (e) Your quiet and settled mind.
• (5) The taking away of an objection: we must not be anxious because of impatience, seeing that God is at hand to give us help in time for all our miseries.

4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

• (6) The third is, that we are not too anxious for anything, but with sure confidence give God thanks, and desire from him whatever we have need of, that with a quiet conscience we may wholly and with all our hearts submit ourselves to him.
• (f) So David began very often with tears, but ended with thanksgiving.

4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

• (g) That great quietness of mind, which God alone gives in Christ.
• (h) He divides the mind into the heart, that is, into that part which is the seat of the will and affections, and into the higher part, by which we understand and reason about matters.

4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

• (7) A general conclusion, that as they have been taught both in word and example, so they build their lives to the rule of all holiness and righteousness.
• (i) Whatever things are such that they beautify and set you apart with a holy gravity.

4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.

• (8) He witnesses that their liberality was acceptable to him, with which they helped him in his extreme poverty: but yet so moderating his words, that he might declare himself void of all suspicion of dishonesty, and that he has a mind content both with prosperity and adversity, and to be short, that he rests himself only in the will of God.

4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

• (k) As though I am speaking concerning my want.

4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

• (l) He uses a general word, and yet he speaks but of one type of cross, which is poverty, for poverty commonly brings all types of discomforts with it.
• (m) This is a metaphor taken from holy things or sacrifices, for our life is like a sacrifice.

4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.

4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.

• (9) He witnesses that he remembers also their former benefits, and again puts away sinister suspicion of greedy desire, in that that he received nothing from anyone else.
• (n) At the beginning, when I preached the Gospel among you.

4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.

4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.

• (10) He witnesses again that he admits well of their benefit, not so much for his own sake as for theirs, because they gave it not so much to him, as they offered it to God as a sacrifice, of which the Lord himself will not be forgetful.

4:18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

• (o) He alludes to the sweet smelling savours that were offered under the old Law.

4:19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household.

• (p) Those who belong to the emperor Nero.

4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.