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Philippians 4

1So then, my beloved brothers whom I long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, beloved.

2I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to think the same way in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you too, true yokefellow, help these women, who struggled alongside me in the good news, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is righteous, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is any praise, consider these things. 9What you learned and received and heard and saw in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last your concern for me has blossomed again. You were indeed concerned, but lacked opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking because of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In each and every circumstance I have learned the secret, both of being well fed and of going hungry, both of abounding and of being in need. 13I have strength for all things in the one who strengthens me. 14Still, you did well to share in my affliction.

15You Philippians also know that in the beginning of the good news, when I left Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the account of giving and receiving except you alone, 16for even in Thessalonica you sent help for my need more than once. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. 18I have received everything in full and abound; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus what you sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will fill every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

21Greet every holy one in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me greet you. 22All the holy ones greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Translation notes 6

4:1–3 — Family and fellow workers. “Brothers” is the inclusive family address. The repeated “I appeal” addresses each woman directly. Paul identifies Euodia and Syntyche as women who struggled alongside him in the good news; their disagreement does not erase that work. “Crown” is an image of honor or victory.

4:3 — Yokefellow. This means a companion joined in shared work, literally under a common yoke. The person's identity is not given. Some understand the Greek word as the personal name Syzygos, with a play on its meaning. The descriptive reading is preferred; no named person or marital relationship is supplied.

4:5–7 — Nearness, prayer, and peace. “The Lord is near” can refer to his approaching coming or his present nearness; neither is made exclusive in the wording. “Gentleness” includes considerate restraint. The repeated all/nothing/everything gives the appeal its breadth. “Guard” retains the protective image, and “the peace of God” becomes “the God of peace” at 4:9.

4:10–13 — Contentment and strength. “Blossomed again” preserves the image of renewed growth; Paul immediately acknowledges their continuing concern. “Learned the secret” uses the language of initiation for learned experience. “All things” in verse 13 looks back to plenty and hunger, abundance and need. The Greek base says “the one who strengthens me”; some texts explicitly add “Christ.” Christ is the likely referent even in the shorter wording.

4:15–19 — Account, fruit, and sacrifice. The financial account and growing fruit images are both retained. “More than once” at 4:16 renders the idiom “both once and twice.” Paul presents their material gift as a sacrifice pleasing to God. God's filling their need responds to their generosity without specifying wealth or immunity from the hardship just described.

4:21–23 — Household and closing. “Caesar's household” includes people in imperial service, not necessarily the emperor's relatives or people in a single palace. “Your spirit” is singular with a plural “your,” addressing the community. Some Greek texts read “with all of you” and add “Amen”; the base ends without that addition.