Philippians 4

King James Version

Full text for Philippians Chapter 4

1¶ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved.

2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and [with] other my fellowlabourers, whose names [are] in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.

5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10¶ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.

12I 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.

13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15Now ye 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 ye only.

16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20¶ Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul exhorts the Philippians to stand fast in the Lord, encouraging unity and constant rejoicing. He instructs them to cast all anxieties upon God through prayer with thanksgiving, promising the peace of God in return. Furthermore, he teaches contentment in all circumstances, attributing his strength to Christ, and expresses gratitude for their generous support, assuring them that God will supply all their needs.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by urging the Philippian believers to stand fast in the Lord, emphasizing unity, particularly between Euodias and Syntyche, and commending those who labored with him in the gospel. He repeatedly calls for rejoicing in the Lord and for their moderation to be evident to all, reminding them that the Lord is near. Instead of anxiety, Paul instructs them to present all requests to God with prayer and thanksgiving, promising that the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard their hearts and minds. He then directs their thoughts towards things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, encouraging them to practice what they learned from him. Paul expresses profound joy for their renewed care for him, clarifying that his contentment is not dependent on circumstances, as he has learned to be sufficient in all states through Christ's strengthening power. He acknowledges their generous financial support as a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God, concluding with a promise that God will supply all their needs according to His riches.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul opens by affectionately addressing the Philippians, urging them to stand firm in the Lord, whom he considers his joy and crown. He specifically appeals for unity between Euodias and Syntyche, and requests assistance for other women and Clement who labored with him in the gospel, whose names are inscribed in the book of life. Paul then issues a powerful call to rejoice in the Lord always, reiterating this command, and advises that their moderation be known to all, for the Lord is at hand. He instructs them to be anxious for nothing, but rather to present all their requests to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. In response, he promises that the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, will safeguard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Furthermore, Paul provides a moral and intellectual directive, encouraging them to focus their thoughts on whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. He also exhorts them to practice what they have learned, received, heard, and seen in him, assuring them that the God of peace will be with them. Paul expresses great joy that their care for him has flourished again, clarifying that his contentment is not born of want. He testifies to having learned to be content in every state, whether abased or abounding, full or hungry, attributing his ability to endure all things to Christ who strengthens him. He commends the Philippians for sharing in his affliction through their financial support, recalling that they were the only church to communicate with him in giving and receiving, even sending aid to Thessalonica. Paul emphasizes that his desire for their gift is not for the gift itself, but for the spiritual fruit that abounds to their account. Having received their generous offering through Epaphroditus, which he describes as a sweet-smelling, acceptable sacrifice well-pleasing to God, he concludes with a confident assurance that his God will supply all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. The chapter closes with a doxology, greetings to all saints, especially those of Caesar's household, and a final benediction of grace.

Core Concepts

  • Christian UnityPaul directly addresses Euodias and Syntyche, urging them to be of the same mind in the Lord, highlighting the importance of harmony among believers. He also asks for help for fellow labourers, emphasizing communal support within the gospel work.
  • Rejoicing and ModerationThe apostle repeatedly commands believers to "Rejoice in the Lord alway," and to let their "moderation be known unto all men," linking these attitudes to the imminence of the Lord's return. This suggests a joyful and balanced disposition in life.
  • Prayer and Peace of GodBelievers are instructed to cast off anxiety and make their requests known to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. This practice is promised to result in the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding," guarding their hearts and minds.
  • Virtuous ThinkingPaul encourages a disciplined mind, directing believers to focus on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report." This emphasis on positive and ethical thought patterns aims to shape Christian conduct.
  • Contentment in ChristPaul declares that he has learned to be content in every state, whether in abundance or in need, and attributes his ability to "do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." This illustrates a profound reliance on Christ for inner stability regardless of external circumstances.
  • Generosity and Divine ProvisionThe Philippians' financial support for Paul is acknowledged as a "sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God," and he assures them that "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." This highlights the spiritual value of giving and God's faithfulness in providing for those who give.