New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Philippians 4
1
My brothers and sisters, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord's strength. I love you and long for you. Dear friends, you are my joy and my crown.
Reference
Love
1 Corinthians 15:58
Parallel theme
Philippians 1:27
1 Corinthians 16:13
Philippians 2:16
Philippians 1:8
Hebrews 10:23
Romans 2:7
John 8:31
References Lord
Psalm 27:14
Acts 11:23
2
Here is what I'm asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I want them to agree with each other because they belong to the Lord.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Mark 9:50
Genesis 45:24
1 Thessalonians 5:13
Philippians 3:16
References Lord
Hebrews 12:14
1 Corinthians 1:10
3
My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help those women. They have served at my side. They have helped me spread the good news. So have Clement and the rest of those who have worked together with me. Their names are all written in the Book of Life.
Reference
People
4
Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 12:12
Matthew 5:12
1 Peter 4:13
Acts 16:25
Acts 5:41
References Lord
Philippians 3:1
Psalm 146:2
5
Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 6:25
Titus 3:2
Hebrews 10:37
1 Corinthians 6:7
1 Peter 4:7
Hebrews 10:25
Revelation 22:7
1 Corinthians 8:13
Matthew 6:34
References Lord
Revelation 22:20
6
Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 6:8
Jeremiah 33:3
Proverbs 16:3
Prayer
Colossians 4:2
Ephesians 6:18
Luke 18:1
References God
Psalm 62:8
Colossians 3:17
7
Then God's peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God's peace can never be completely understood.
Reference
8
Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.
Reference
Good
James 3:17
Titus 2:7
1 Peter 2:12
Hebrews 13:18
Love
Galatians 5:22
1 Timothy 4:12
Titus 1:8
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 8:21
1 John 3:3
Righteousness
Ephesians 5:9
9
Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.
Reference
10
At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you have been concerned. But you had no chance to show it.
Reference
11
I'm not saying that because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.
Reference
12
I know what it's like not to have what I need. I also know what it's like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.
Reference
15
And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 1:5
16
Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. You did it again and again.
Reference
18
I have received my full pay, and even more than that. I have everything I need. That's because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet-smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 4:12
References God
2 Corinthians 9:12
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Sacrifice
Hebrews 13:16
Ephesians 5:2
Romans 12:1
1 Peter 2:5
19
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.
Reference
Glory
Psalm 84:11
1 Peter 5:10
Colossians 1:27
Ephesians 3:16
Parallel theme
Malachi 3:10
Nehemiah 9:15
Psalm 36:8
References God
1 Timothy 6:17
Micah 7:7
2 Samuel 22:7
21
Greet all of God's people. They belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings.
Reference
22
All of God's people here send you greetings. Most of all, those who live in the palace of Caesar send you greetings.
Reference
Summary of Philippians 4
Philippians 4 teaches that believers should remain firmly united in Christ, resolve disagreements with humility, rejoice regardless of circumstances, replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, practice what they have learned from faithful Christian examples, remain content in both abundance and need, and express their partnership in the gospel through generous and sacrificial support.
Paul begins by urging the Philippians to stand firmly in the Lord while addressing a disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had worked alongside him in gospel ministry, demonstrating that personal conflicts should be resolved because they can threaten the unity of the Christian community.
He then repeatedly commands believers to rejoice in the Lord, showing that Christian joy does not depend upon pleasant circumstances because its foundation is Christ Himself.
Paul connects this joy with a gentle and reasonable spirit, encouraging believers to treat everyone with kindness while remembering that the Lord is near.
One of the chapter's central teachings concerns anxiety, as Paul instructs Christians not to allow worry to dominate their lives but instead to bring every concern before God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
The promised result is not necessarily an immediate change in circumstances but the peace of God, which surpasses ordinary human understanding and guards the believer's heart and mind through Christ.
Paul then explains that spiritual peace is closely connected with disciplined thinking, instructing believers to focus their minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Christian maturity therefore involves not only controlling outward behavior but also learning to direct one's thoughts toward things that strengthen faith, character, wisdom, and relationships.
Paul next turns to the Philippians' material support, expressing joy that they have once again been able to demonstrate their concern for him while carefully explaining that his joy does not come from dependence upon their gifts.
He has learned to be content in every circumstance, whether experiencing abundance or poverty, hunger or plenty, because his strength and stability ultimately come from Christ rather than from possessions.
The famous statement that Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens him therefore appears in the context of enduring different circumstances faithfully, rather than serving primarily as a promise that Christians can accomplish any desired goal.
Although Paul has learned contentment, he warmly praises the Philippians for sharing in his troubles and for repeatedly supporting his ministry, remembering how they helped him after he left Macedonia and even sent assistance while he was ministering in Thessalonica.
Paul views their generosity as more than financial assistance because it represents spiritual fruit credited to them, demonstrating that giving for the advancement of God's work benefits both the people receiving the gift and those who give it.
He describes their gift as a pleasing sacrifice to God and assures them that God will supply their needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
The letter concludes with greetings from believers who are with Paul, including people connected with Caesar's household, suggesting that the gospel had reached individuals within the wider network of Roman imperial service.
Paul finally closes with the grace of Jesus Christ, bringing the letter to an appropriate conclusion because grace, joy, faithfulness, generosity, and dependence upon Christ have shaped the entire message.
The central message of Philippians 4 is that believers can remain joyful, peaceful, content, generous, and united even during difficult circumstances when they place their confidence in Christ, bring their anxieties to God through prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, resolve disagreements with humility, and support one another through practical generosity and faithful partnership in the gospel.
Paul begins by urging the Philippians to stand firmly in the Lord while addressing a disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had worked alongside him in gospel ministry, demonstrating that personal conflicts should be resolved because they can threaten the unity of the Christian community.
He then repeatedly commands believers to rejoice in the Lord, showing that Christian joy does not depend upon pleasant circumstances because its foundation is Christ Himself.
Paul connects this joy with a gentle and reasonable spirit, encouraging believers to treat everyone with kindness while remembering that the Lord is near.
One of the chapter's central teachings concerns anxiety, as Paul instructs Christians not to allow worry to dominate their lives but instead to bring every concern before God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.
The promised result is not necessarily an immediate change in circumstances but the peace of God, which surpasses ordinary human understanding and guards the believer's heart and mind through Christ.
Paul then explains that spiritual peace is closely connected with disciplined thinking, instructing believers to focus their minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Christian maturity therefore involves not only controlling outward behavior but also learning to direct one's thoughts toward things that strengthen faith, character, wisdom, and relationships.
Paul next turns to the Philippians' material support, expressing joy that they have once again been able to demonstrate their concern for him while carefully explaining that his joy does not come from dependence upon their gifts.
He has learned to be content in every circumstance, whether experiencing abundance or poverty, hunger or plenty, because his strength and stability ultimately come from Christ rather than from possessions.
The famous statement that Paul can do all things through Christ who strengthens him therefore appears in the context of enduring different circumstances faithfully, rather than serving primarily as a promise that Christians can accomplish any desired goal.
Although Paul has learned contentment, he warmly praises the Philippians for sharing in his troubles and for repeatedly supporting his ministry, remembering how they helped him after he left Macedonia and even sent assistance while he was ministering in Thessalonica.
Paul views their generosity as more than financial assistance because it represents spiritual fruit credited to them, demonstrating that giving for the advancement of God's work benefits both the people receiving the gift and those who give it.
He describes their gift as a pleasing sacrifice to God and assures them that God will supply their needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
The letter concludes with greetings from believers who are with Paul, including people connected with Caesar's household, suggesting that the gospel had reached individuals within the wider network of Roman imperial service.
Paul finally closes with the grace of Jesus Christ, bringing the letter to an appropriate conclusion because grace, joy, faithfulness, generosity, and dependence upon Christ have shaped the entire message.
The central message of Philippians 4 is that believers can remain joyful, peaceful, content, generous, and united even during difficult circumstances when they place their confidence in Christ, bring their anxieties to God through prayer and thanksgiving, discipline their thoughts toward what is good, resolve disagreements with humility, and support one another through practical generosity and faithful partnership in the gospel.