Philippians
4
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Think of Excellence
4 Therefore, my beloved brethren [a]whom
I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm
in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to [b]live
in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I
ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the
cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow
workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be
known to all men. The Lord is [c]near.6 Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the
peace of God, which surpasses all [d]comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is
true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [e]lovely,
whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy
of praise, [f]dwell
on these things. 9 The things you have learned and
received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God
of peace will be with you.
God’s Provisions
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,
that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were
concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not
that I speak [g]from
want, for I have learned to be [h]content
in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to
get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any
and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,
both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I
can do all things [i]through
Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you
have done well to share with me in my affliction.
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians,
that at the [j]first
preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me
in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for
even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for
my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I
seek for the [k]profit
which increases to your account.18 But I have received
everything in full and have an abundance; I am [l]amply
supplied, having received from Epaphroditus [m]what
you have sent, [n]a
fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my
God will supply [o]all
your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now
to our God and Father be the glory[p]forever
and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every [q]saint
in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All
the [r]saints
greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit.
Footnotes:
- Philippians 4:1 Lit and
longed for
- Philippians 4:2 Or be
of the same mind
- Philippians 4:5 Or at
hand
- Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
- Philippians 4:8 Or lovable
and gracious
- Philippians 4:8 Lit ponder
these things
- Philippians
4:11 Lit according to
- Philippians
4:11 Or self-sufficient
- Philippians
4:13 Lit in
- Philippians
4:15 Lit beginning of
- Philippians
4:17 Lit fruit
- Philippians
4:18 Lit made full
- Philippians
4:18 Lit the things from you
- Philippians
4:18 Lit an odor of fragrance
- Philippians
4:19 Or every need of yours
- Philippians
4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages
- Philippians
4:21 Or holy one
- Philippians
4:22 V 21, note 1
NIV
Application Commentary
Paul
begins in verse 10 with an exuberant expression of joy that the Philippians
have again shown their concern for him. The Philippians had generously
supplemented the income Paul earned in the workshop during his attempts to
establish other churches both in Macedonia (4:15–16) and Achaia (2 Cor.
11:7–9). Perhaps because of their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1–2), however, they had not
been able to help Paul in this way recently. Thus Paul rejoices “greatly” that
the opportunity to show their concern for him has returned.
Despite
this, Paul wants the Philippians to know that his joy does not depend on the
alleviation of his physical discomfort; thus, although he is in prison, Paul
says that he is not in need (vv. 11–13). He has learned to be content in every
circumstance. The term “content” (au tarkes, v. 11) was used by Stoic
philosophers of Paul’s time to mean “self-sufficient,” and in their view this
characteristic was the most valuable attribute of the wise person. Indeed, like
the wise Stoic, Paul does not consider physical deprivation an unmitigated
disaster nor physical comfort the sign of success. But unlike the Stoic, Paul
does not find the resources for this attitude in himself. They reside instead
in the Lord, through whom he can face all things (v. 13).
So
Paul remains unperturbed either by his own imprisonment and possible death or
by fellow believers who seek to intensify his suffering. As long as Christ is
being preached, Paul is joyful (1:18), and he does not want the Philippians to
think that the physical comfort their gifts have made possible has increased
his ability to cope with the difficulties at hand.
From
NIVAC: Philippians by Frank Thielman. Published by Zondervan Academic.
Philippians 4
The Bible Panorama
V
1: FIRMNESS In
the light of Christ’s second coming and the present personal knowledge of the
risen Christ, Christians are to stand fast in the Lord.
V
2–3: FELLOWSHIP This
is expressed in fellowship with each other, both in solving our differences and
in working together with others. The Philippian Christians are urged to do both
of these things in the aftermath of a dispute between two women in the church.
V
4: FERVOUR Again,
Paul urges the Christians to rejoice in the Lord always and repeats this
exhortation again immediately.
V
5: FUNDAMENTAL ‘The
Lord is at hand’ is fundamental to this verse, this chapter, the whole of the
book of Philippians, and the whole of the Christian life. The knowledge of
Christ’s presence with us now, and the certainty of His glorious coming again
soon, should produce Christian gentleness and shape the Christian’s life in
every facet. This should be true individually, with other believers, and in the
world in which every Christian lives.
V
6–7: FAITH Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving are the expressions
of faith to be made known to God in everything. Thus anxiety is dealt with and
is replaced with the surpassing peace of God through Christ.
V
8–9: FINALLY Paul’s final exhortation is to concentrate on things that
are noble, just, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Christians
should concentrate and meditate on these things, rather than on the things of
the world. This is the example Paul set at Philippi. In following it, the
church knows the presence of the God of peace with them.
V
10–13: FORTIFIED Paul rejoices in the material support of Christians.
Nevertheless, in all circumstances, adverse and favourable, Paul finds that he
‘can do all things through Christ who strengthens [him]’. This brings
contentment to him even when he is in physical need
.V
14–16: FAITHFULNESS Notwithstanding this confidence in God, the
repeated and continual faithfulness of the church is gratefully commended by
him. They sent money to Paul when he was in distress and continually when he
was in Thessalonica,
V
17–20: FULNESS Paul
is grateful that, currently through their giving, God is fully supplying
everything that he needs. Selflessly, he is grateful for the fruit that will
come to the giver, knowing that God will also supply all their needs ‘according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’. Their gift rises to God like a
pleasing and sweet-smelling sacrifice.
V
21–23: FRUIT The fruit of the gospel is not only in Philippi, where
people have trusted Christ, but also among his captors in Rome. Some may have
been Christians before Paul went there, but doubtless some have been the fruit
of his witness, even in chains. God’s grace, which he wishes for them all, is
certainly upon him.
The
Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.
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