New Testament

Philippians 4

Contentment, Unity, and Farewell

6 passages

Overview

Paul closes his letter to the Philippians with a personal plea for the reconciliation of Euodia and Syntyche, commands to rejoice, pray without anxiety, and fix the mind on all that is honorable and true, a grateful acknowledgment of the community's sacrificial financial partnership, and a final exchange of greetings — all anchored in his testimony that Christ alone is the source of an interior peace and contentment that no circumstance can destroy.

Passages

1–3Stand Firm, Think as One: Unity, Steadfastness, and the Book of Life 4–7Joy, Gentleness, and the Peace of God 8–9The Virtuous Mind and the Apostolic Example 10–14Strength Made Perfect in Want: Contentment, Christ, and Communion 15–20Fragrant Offering: Partnership, Sacrifice, and God's Superabundant Provision 21–23The Church Dispersed, the Church United

Study Resources

Philippians 4

¹Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

²I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. ³Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, 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 men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶In nothing be anxious, 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 things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁰But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. ¹²I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. ¹³I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ¹⁴However you did well that you shared in my affliction. ¹⁵You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. ¹⁷Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. ¹⁸But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. ¹⁹My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

²¹Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²²All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

²³The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Philippians 3