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Philippians 4

Philippians book home•Chapter 4 of 4•23 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Philippians 4 Overview

Paul urges unity between Euodias and Syntyche, calls believers to rejoice, pray instead of live in anxious care, think on what is true and pure, and practice what they have learned. He explains that he has learned contentment in both need and abundance through Christ’s strength and thanks the Philippians for faithful financial partnership.

PhilippiansBook

4Chapter

23Verses

Pauline EpistlesDivision

Before you read Philippians 4

Coming from

Paul warns against confidence in religious flesh and recounts his impressive Jewish credentials only to count them loss for Christ. He rejects his own law-based righteousness in favor of righteousness through faith in Christ, presses toward the prize of his heavenly calling, and reminds believers that their conversation is in heaven while they await Christ’s transformation of the body.

In this chapter

Leads into

The canonical sequence continues into Colossians.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Philippians 4:13 concerns Christ-given strength to endure every circumstance Paul has just listed—hunger, fullness, abundance, and need—not unlimited ability to achieve any desired goal.

‘My God shall supply all your need’ is spoken to a church that sacrificially partnered in gospel ministry; it is assurance of God’s faithful provision, not a promise of luxury.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Christian joy is anchored in the Lord

Paul commands rejoicing even from prison.

Prayer redirects anxious care toward God

Requests are joined with thanksgiving, and God’s peace guards heart and mind.

Thought life matters

Believers are told deliberately what to think on.

Contentment can be learned

Paul knows how to live faithfully in both abundance and need.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Matthew 6:25–34

Jesus teaches against anxious care and points disciples toward trusting the Father.

1 Timothy 6:6–8

Paul later joins godliness with contentment.

2 Corinthians 9:6–11

God’s provision for generous believers is connected with sufficiency for good works.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not use Philippians 4:13 as a blank check for personal ambition

Its context is endurance and contentment.

Do not use verse 19 as a prosperity formula

Paul says God supplies need, not every luxury.

Do not treat prayer as denial of real problems

Paul names conflict, anxiety, need, and hardship while directing believers to God.

Read Philippians 4 watching for…

The specific conflict Paul addresses.

The sequence from care to prayer to peace.

The list governing thought life.

The circumstances in which Paul learned contentment.

The Philippians’ history of financial partnership.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-5Paul urges steadfastness, unity, help for fellow workers, rejoicing, and gentleness 6-9Believers are told to pray instead of worry and to think on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy 10-13Paul rejoices in their care and explains that he has learned contentment in every condition through Christ 14-20Paul thanks the Philippians for their giving and promises that God will supply their need 21-23Paul sends final greetings and closes with grace

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. <<It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.>>