Philippians 4

Straining Toward the Goal

1 Therefore, my brothers, 1 whom I love and j long for, k my joy and l crown, m stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to n agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, 2 help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, o whose names are in the book of life.

4 p Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. q The Lord is at hand; 6 r do not be anxious about anything, s but in everything by prayer and supplication t with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And u the peace of God, v which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and w received and heard and seen x in me - practice these things, and y the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length z you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be a content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and b hunger, abundance and c need. 13 I can do all things d through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you e to share 3 my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that f in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, g no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 h Not that I seek the gift, but I seek i the fruit that increases to your credit. 4 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, j having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, k a fragrant offering, l a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God m will supply every need of yours n according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To o our God and Father be p glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

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

23 s The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

  1. Cross References
    Philippians 1:8
    For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
  2. Cross References
    Philippians 1:4
    Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
    2 Corinthians 1:14
    Just as you did partially acknowledge us - that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:31
    Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
    Proverbs 17:6
    Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
  4. Cross References
    Philippians 1:27
    Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
  5. Cross References
    Philippians 2:2
    Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 10:20
    Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
  7. Cross References
    Philippians 3:1
    Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
  8. Cross References
    James 5:8
    You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 6:25
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:3
    Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 1:8
    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
  12. Cross References
    Philippians 4:9
    What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
    Isaiah 26:3
    You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
    Colossians 3:15
    And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
    John 14:27
    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
  13. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:19
    And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
  14. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:1
    Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
  15. Cross References
    Philippians 3:17
    Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
  16. Cross References
    Philippians 4:7
    And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Romans 15:33
    May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:9
    And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
    Philippians 2:30
    For he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
  18. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:6
    Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.
    1 Timothy 6:8
    But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
    2 Corinthians 9:8
    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
    Hebrews 13:5
    Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:11
    To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless.
    2 Corinthians 11:27
    In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:9
    And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 12:9
    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
    1 Timothy 1:12
    I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service.
  22. Cross References
    Philippians 1:7
    It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
    Revelation 1:9
    I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
  23. Cross References
    Philippians 1:5
    Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
  24. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:8 - 9
    I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:5
    So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 1:13
    I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
    Titus 3:14
    And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
  27. Cross References
    Philippians 2:25
    I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 8:21
    And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
  29. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:16
    Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 23:1
    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    2 Corinthians 9:8
    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
  31. Cross References
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  32. Cross References
    Galatians 1:4
    Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 3:11
    Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
  33. Cross References
    Galatians 1:5
    To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
    Romans 11:36
    For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
  34. Cross References
    Galatians 1:2
    And all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
  35. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 13:13
    All the saints greet you.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 16:20
    The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book