American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Philippians 4
1
Therefore, my brothers dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Reference
Love
1 Corinthians 15:58
Parallel theme
Philippians 1:27
1 Corinthians 16:13
Philippians 2:16
Philippians 1:8
Hebrews 10:23
Romans 2:7
John 8:31
References Lord
Psalm 27:14
Acts 11:23
2
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Mark 9:50
Genesis 45:24
1 Thessalonians 5:13
Philippians 3:16
References Lord
Hebrews 12:14
1 Corinthians 1:10
3
And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Reference
People
4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 12:12
Matthew 5:12
1 Peter 4:13
Acts 16:25
Acts 5:41
References Lord
Philippians 3:1
Psalm 146:2
5
Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 6:25
Titus 3:2
Hebrews 10:37
1 Corinthians 6:7
1 Peter 4:7
Hebrews 10:25
Revelation 22:7
1 Corinthians 8:13
Matthew 6:34
References Lord
Revelation 22:20
6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 6:8
Jeremiah 33:3
Proverbs 16:3
Prayer
Colossians 4:2
Ephesians 6:18
Luke 18:1
References God
Psalm 62:8
Colossians 3:17
7
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Reference
8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Reference
Good
James 3:17
Titus 2:7
1 Peter 2:12
Hebrews 13:18
Love
Galatians 5:22
1 Timothy 4:12
Titus 1:8
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 8:21
1 John 3:3
Righteousness
Ephesians 5:9
9
Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Reference
10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me has flourished again; wherein you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity.
Reference
11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.
Reference
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.
Reference
15
Now you 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 you only.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 1:5
18
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 4:12
References God
2 Corinthians 9:12
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Sacrifice
Hebrews 13:16
Ephesians 5:2
Romans 12:1
1 Peter 2:5
19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Reference
Glory
Psalm 84:11
1 Peter 5:10
Colossians 1:27
Ephesians 3:16
Parallel theme
Malachi 3:10
Nehemiah 9:15
Psalm 36:8
References God
1 Timothy 6:17
Micah 7:7
2 Samuel 22:7
Summary of Philippians 4
Philippians 4 teaches that believers should remain firmly united in Christ, resolve disagreements with humility, rejoice regardless of circumstances, replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, practice what they have learned from faithful Christian examples, remain content in both abundance and need, and express their partnership in the gospel through generous and sacrificial support.
Paul begins by urging the Philippians to stand firmly in the Lord while addressing a disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had worked alongside him in gospel ministry, demonstrating that personal conflicts should be resolved because they can threaten the unity of the Christian community.
He then repeatedly commands believers to rejoice in the Lord, showing that Christian joy does not depend upon pleasant circumstances because its foundation is Christ Himself.
Paul connects this joy with a gentle and reasonable spirit, encouraging believers to treat everyone with kindness while remembering that the Lord is near.
One of the chapter's central teachings concerns anxiety, as Paul instructs Christians not to allow worry to dominate their lives but instead to bring every concern before God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
The promised result is not necessarily an immediate change in circumstances but the peace of God, which surpasses ordinary human understanding and guards the believer's heart and mind through Christ.
Paul then explains that spiritual peace is closely connected with disciplined thinking, instructing believers to focus their minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Christian maturity therefore involves not only controlling outward behavior but also learning to direct one's thoughts toward things that strengthen faith, character, wisdom, and relationships.
Paul next turns to the Philippians' material support, expressing joy that they have once again been able to demonstrate their concern for him while carefully explaining that his joy does not come from dependence upon their gifts.
He has learned to be content in every circumstance, whether experiencing abundance or poverty, hunger or plenty, because his strength and stability ultimately come from Christ rather than from possessions.
The famous statement that Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens him therefore appears in the context of enduring different circumstances faithfully, rather than serving primarily as a promise that Christians can accomplish any desired goal.
Although Paul has learned contentment, he warmly praises the Philippians for sharing in his troubles and for repeatedly supporting his ministry, remembering how they helped him after he left Macedonia and even sent assistance while he was ministering in Thessalonica.
Paul views their generosity as more than financial assistance because it represents spiritual fruit credited to them, demonstrating that giving for the advancement of God's work benefits both the people receiving the gift and those who give it.
He describes their gift as a pleasing sacrifice to God and assures them that God will supply their needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
The letter concludes with greetings from believers who are with Paul, including people connected with Caesar's household, suggesting that the gospel had reached individuals within the wider network of Roman imperial service.
Paul finally closes with the grace of Jesus Christ, bringing the letter to an appropriate conclusion because grace, joy, faithfulness, generosity, and dependence upon Christ have shaped the entire message.
The central message of Philippians 4 is that believers can remain joyful, peaceful, content, generous, and united even during difficult circumstances when they place their confidence in Christ, bring their anxieties to God through prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, resolve disagreements with humility, and support one another through practical generosity and faithful partnership in the gospel.
Paul begins by urging the Philippians to stand firmly in the Lord while addressing a disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had worked alongside him in gospel ministry, demonstrating that personal conflicts should be resolved because they can threaten the unity of the Christian community.
He then repeatedly commands believers to rejoice in the Lord, showing that Christian joy does not depend upon pleasant circumstances because its foundation is Christ Himself.
Paul connects this joy with a gentle and reasonable spirit, encouraging believers to treat everyone with kindness while remembering that the Lord is near.
One of the chapter's central teachings concerns anxiety, as Paul instructs Christians not to allow worry to dominate their lives but instead to bring every concern before God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
The promised result is not necessarily an immediate change in circumstances but the peace of God, which surpasses ordinary human understanding and guards the believer's heart and mind through Christ.
Paul then explains that spiritual peace is closely connected with disciplined thinking, instructing believers to focus their minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Christian maturity therefore involves not only controlling outward behavior but also learning to direct one's thoughts toward things that strengthen faith, character, wisdom, and relationships.
Paul next turns to the Philippians' material support, expressing joy that they have once again been able to demonstrate their concern for him while carefully explaining that his joy does not come from dependence upon their gifts.
He has learned to be content in every circumstance, whether experiencing abundance or poverty, hunger or plenty, because his strength and stability ultimately come from Christ rather than from possessions.
The famous statement that Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens him therefore appears in the context of enduring different circumstances faithfully, rather than serving primarily as a promise that Christians can accomplish any desired goal.
Although Paul has learned contentment, he warmly praises the Philippians for sharing in his troubles and for repeatedly supporting his ministry, remembering how they helped him after he left Macedonia and even sent assistance while he was ministering in Thessalonica.
Paul views their generosity as more than financial assistance because it represents spiritual fruit credited to them, demonstrating that giving for the advancement of God's work benefits both the people receiving the gift and those who give it.
He describes their gift as a pleasing sacrifice to God and assures them that God will supply their needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
The letter concludes with greetings from believers who are with Paul, including people connected with Caesar's household, suggesting that the gospel had reached individuals within the wider network of Roman imperial service.
Paul finally closes with the grace of Jesus Christ, bringing the letter to an appropriate conclusion because grace, joy, faithfulness, generosity, and dependence upon Christ have shaped the entire message.
The central message of Philippians 4 is that believers can remain joyful, peaceful, content, generous, and united even during difficult circumstances when they place their confidence in Christ, bring their anxieties to God through prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, resolve disagreements with humility, and support one another through practical generosity and faithful partnership in the gospel.