Philippianschapter 4
23 verses · BSBPhilippians book hub →
Speaks with:Matthew 6×3Romans 12×2James 1×2Titus 3×21 Peter 5×22 Corinthians 12×2
Summary
Chapter summary
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report. Think on these things. I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Thanks for the Philippian gift. Henry reads the chapter as the contented life sketched.
Context
Epistle · Paul — Philippians overview
- A. 1–9 Two Women, One Plea, and the Peace That Guards
- B. 10–20 I Have Learned Contentment — and God Supplies
- C. 21–23 Greetings, Even From Caesar's Household
The outline
A.Two Women, One Plea, and the Peace That Guardsvv. 1 to 9
Read vv. 1 to 9 →B.I Have Learned Contentment — and God Suppliesvv. 10 to 20
Read vv. 10 to 20 →C.Greetings, Even From Caesar's Householdvv. 21 to 23
Read vv. 21 to 23 →
The world behind this chapter
Philippians 4The history
Euodia and Syntyche are named in a letter to be read aloud to the whole church, which tells you how serious the disagreement had become. Both are described as women who laboured side by side with Paul in the gospel — this is a dispute between valued workers, not a discipline case.
The closing section uses the vocabulary of ancient bookkeeping. Paul speaks of giving and receiving, of an account, of credit that increases to their account, and of being paid in full — the standard phrase on a receipt. He is settling a financial relationship in the language a merchant would recognize.
That relationship went back to the beginning. When he left Macedonia, only this church entered into partnership with him, and they sent aid more than once even to Thessalonica. In a world where a teacher's support came from patrons, Philippi had been his patron and he had let them.
But he reframes the transaction. Their gift is a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, and what he wants is not the money but the fruit that increases to their credit.
His remark about learning contentment in plenty and in hunger comes from a man writing under guard, dependent on others, with a capital case pending.
What it meant to them
For the first hearers, the instruction about anxiety was practical and immediate: do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts.
The last greeting lands like a small explosion — the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. Believers inside the emperor's own establishment were sending regards to a church in a veterans' colony, and the reach of that would not have been lost on anyone.
Sources cited
- F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
The text of this chapter
This page carries no textual note on Philippians 4. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
Connections from this chapter
v. 6 · Written to them
Be careful for nothing: prayer + thanksgiving
topics/anxiety→MannaFest topical index
This page draws on Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.