4 1 From particular exhortations, 4 he cometh to general. 10 He saith that he took such joy in their readiness to liberality, 12 that he will patiently bear the want.
1 Therefore, [a]my brethren, beloved and longed for, my joy and my [b]crown, so continue in the [c]Lord, ye beloved.
2 [d]I pray Euodia, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of one accord in the Lord.
3 Yea, and I beseech thee, faithful yokefellow, help those women, which labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the (A)[e]book of life.
4 [f]Rejoice in the [g]Lord always, again I say, rejoice.
5 [h]Let your [i]patient mind be known unto all men. [j]The Lord is at hand.
6 [k]Be nothing careful, but in all things let your requests be showed unto God in prayer and supplication with [l]giving of thanks.
7 And the [m]peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall preserve your [n]hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 [o]Furthermore, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [p]are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are worthy love, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me: those things do, and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 [q]Now I rejoice also in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care for me springeth afresh, wherein notwithstanding ye were careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 I speak not because of [r]want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 And I can be [s]abased, and I can abound: everywhere in all things I am [t]instructed, both to be full, and to be hungry, and to abound, and to have want.
13 I am able to do all things through the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate to mine affliction.
15 [u]And ye Philippians know also that in the [v]beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no Church communicated with me, concerning the matter of giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, ye sent once, and afterward again for my necessity.
17 [w]Not that I desire a gift: but I desire the fruit which may further your reckoning.
18 Now I have received all, and have plenty: I was even filled, after that I had received of Epaphroditus that which came from you, an [x]odor that smelleth sweet, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasant to God.
19 And my God shall fulfill all your necessities through his riches with glory in Jesus Christ.
20 Unto God even our Father be praise for evermore, Amen.
21 Salute all the Saints in Christ Jesus. The brethren, which are with me, greet you.
22 All the Saints salute you, and most of all they which are of [y]Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen.
¶Written to the Philippians from Rome, and sent by Epaphroditus.
Footnotes
- Philippians 4:1 A rehearsal of the conclusion: That they manfully continue, until they have gotten the victory, trusting to the Lord’s strength.
- Philippians 4:1 My honor.
- Philippians 4:1 In that concord, whereof the Lord is the band.
- Philippians 4:2 He also calleth on some by name, partly, because they needed private exhortation, and partly also to stir up others, to be more prompt and ready.
- Philippians 4:3 God is said after the manner of men, to have a book, wherein the names of his elect are written, to whom he will give everlasting life. Ezekiel calleth it the writing of the house of Israel, and the secret of the Lord, Ezek. 13:9.
- Philippians 4:4 He addeth particular exhortations: and the first is, that the joy of the Philippians be not hindered by any afflictions that the wicked imagine and work against them.
- Philippians 4:4 So is the joy of the world distinguisheth from our joy.
- Philippians 4:5 The second is not taking all things in good part, they behave themselves moderately with all men.
- Philippians 4:5 Your quiet and settled mind.
- Philippians 4:5 The taking away of an objection: We must not be disquieted through impatience, seeing that God is at hand to give us remedy in time against all our miseries.
- Philippians 4:6 The third is, that we be not too careful for anything, but with sure confidence give God thanks, and crave of him whatsoever we have need of, that with a quiet conscience we may wholly and with all our hearts submit ourselves to him.
- Philippians 4:6 So David began very oft with tears, but ended with thanksgiving.
- Philippians 4:7 That great quietness of mind, which God only giveth in Christ.
- Philippians 4:7 He divideth the mind into the heart, that is, into that part which is the seat of the will and affections, and into the higher part, whereby we understand and reason of matters.
- Philippians 4:8 A general conclusion, that as they have been taught both in word and example, so they frame their lives to the rule of all holiness and righteousness.
- Philippians 4:8 Whatsoever things are such as do beautify and set you out with a holy gravity.
- Philippians 4:10 He witnesseth that their liberality was acceptable to him, wherewith they did help him in his extreme poverty: but yet so moderating his words, that he might declare himself void of all suspicion of dishonesty, and that he hath a mind contented both with prosperity and adversity, and to be short, that he reposeth himself in the only will of God.
- Philippians 4:11 As though I passed for my want.
- Philippians 4:12 He useth a general word, and yet he speaketh but of one kind of cross, which is poverty, for commonly poverty bringeth all kinds of discommodity with it.
- Philippians 4:12 This is a metaphor taken from holy things or sacrifices, for our life is like a sacrifice.
- Philippians 4:15 He witnesseth that he remembereth also their former benefits, and again putteth away sinistrous suspicion of immoderate desire, in that that he received nought of any else.
- Philippians 4:15 At that beginning when I preached the Gospel amongst you.
- Philippians 4:17 He witnesseth again, that he alloweth well of their benefit not so much for his own sake as for theirs, because they gave it not so much to him, as they offered it to God as a sacrifice, whereof the Lord himself will not be forgetful.
- Philippians 4:18 He alludeth to the sweet smelling savors that were offered in the old Law.
- Philippians 4:22 Such as belong to the Emperor Nero.