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Philippians 4
Philippians 4:1
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues with some specific instructions to the believers in Philippi on unity and then gives instructions to help them live for the Lord.
Therefore, my beloved brothers whom I long for
"So, my fellow believers whom I love and greatly desire to see"
brothers
See how you translated this in Philippians 1:12.
my joy and crown
Paul uses the word "joy" to mean that the Philippian church is the cause of his happiness. A "crown" was made of leaves, and a man wore it on his head as a sign of honor after he won an important game. Here the word "crown" means the Philippian church brought honor to Paul before God. Alternate translation: "You give me joy because you have believed in Jesus, and you are my reward and honor for my work" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved friends
"continue living for the Lord in the way that I have taught you, dear friends"
Philippians 4:2
I am pleading with Euodia, and I am pleading with Syntyche
These are women who were believers and helped Paul in the church at Philippi. Alternate translation: "I beg Euodia, and I beg Syntyche" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
be of the same mind in the Lord
The phrase "be of the same mind" means to have the same attitude or opinion. Alternate translation: "agree with each other because you both believe in the same Lord" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Philippians 4:3
General Information:
When Paul says, "my true companion," the word "you" is singular. Paul does not say the name of the person. He calls him that to show he worked with Paul to spread the gospel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
Yes, I ask you, my true companion
Here "you" refers to the "true fellow worker" and is singular. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
true companion
This metaphor is from farming, where two animals would be bound to the same yoke, and so they work together. Alternate translation: "fellow worker" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
along with Clement
Clement was a man who was a believer and worker in the church at Philippi. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
whose names are in the Book of Life
"whose names God has written in the Book of Life"
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord
"Be happy because of all the Lord has done." See how you translated this in Philippians 3:1.
Philippians 4:5
The Lord is near
Possible meanings are 1) The Lord Jesus is near to the believers in spirit or 2) the day the Lord Jesus will return to the earth is near.
Philippians 4:6
in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God
"whatever happens to you, ask God for everything you need with prayer and thanks"
Philippians 4:7
the peace of God
"the peace that God gives"
which surpasses all understanding
"which is more than we can understand"
will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ
This presents God's peace as a soldier who protects our hearts and thoughts from worrying. Here "hearts" is a metonym for a person's emotions. Alternate translation: "will be like a soldier and guard your emotions and thoughts in Christ" or "will protect you in Christ and will keep you from worrying about the troubles of this life" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
your thoughts
The word translated "thoughts" can also be translated "minds," referring to the part of the person that thinks.
Philippians 4:8
Finally
As Paul ends his letter, he gives a summary of how believers should live to have peace with God.
brothers
See how you translated this in Philippians 1:12.
whatever things are lovely
"whatever things are pleasing"
whatever things are of good report
"whatever thing people admire" or "whatever things people respect"
if there is anything excellent
"if they are morally good"
if there is anything to be praised
"and if they are things that people praise"
Philippians 4:9
that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me
"that I have taught and shown you"
Philippians 4:10
Connecting Statement:
Paul begins to thank the Philippians for a gift that they have sent him.
Philippians 4:11
Connecting Statement:
Paul begins to explain that he is thanking them for this gift simply because he is grateful, not because he needs them to give him anything more.
to be content
"to be satisfied" or "to be happy"
in all circumstances
"no matter what my situation is"
Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be poor ... to have plenty
Paul knows how to live happily having either no possessions or many possessions. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
how to be well fed or to be hungry, and how to have an abundance or to be in need
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Paul uses them to emphasize that he has learned how to be content in any situation. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me
"I can do all things because Christ gives me strength"
Philippians 4:14
in my difficulties
Paul speaks of his hardships as if they were a place that he is in. Alternate translation: "when things became difficult" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Philippians 4:15
the beginning of the gospel
Paul uses the word "gospel" here to mean his preaching of the gospel. Alternate translation: "as I began to preach the gospel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
no church supported me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone
This double negative emphasizes that the Philippians were unique. Alternate translation: "the only church that supported me in the matter of giving and receiving was you" or "you were the only church that sent me money or helped me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublenegatives)
Philippians 4:16
General Information:
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Philippians 4:17
Connecting Statement:
Paul continues explaining that he is thanking the Philippians for their gift to him simply because he is grateful, not because he needs them to give him anything more (see Philippians 3:11).
It is not that I seek the gift
Paul is explaining that his reason for writing about gifts is not that he hopes that they will give him more gifts. Alternate translation: "My reason for writing this is not that I want you to give me more"
I seek the fruit that increases to your credit
Paul explains his reason for writing about gifts. Here "fruit that increases to you credit" is a metaphor for either 1) more good deeds that can be recorded for the Philippians. Alternate translation: "Rather I want God to recognize the increasing good deeds that you do" or 2) more blessings for the good things that the Philippians do. Alternate translation: "Rather I want God to bless you more because of the good deeds that you do"(See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Philippians 4:18
Connecting Statement:
Paul finishes thanking the Philippians for their gift (see Philippians 3:11) and assures them that God will take care of them.
I have received everything in full
Possible meanings are 1) Paul has received everything that the Philippians sent or 2) Paul is using humor to continue the business metaphor from Philippians 3:8 and saying that this part of the letter is a receipt for commercial goods that Epaphroditus delivered.
even more
"even more than necessary" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
They are a sweet-smelling aroma, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God
Paul speaks of the gift from the Philippian church as if it were a sacrifice offered to God on an altar. Paul implies that the church's gift is very pleasing to God, like the sacrifices that the priests burned, which had a smell that pleased God. Alternate translation: "I assure you these gifts are very pleasing to God, like an acceptable sacrifice" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Philippians 4:19
will meet all your needs
This phrase translates the same word that is translated "have been well supplied" in verse 18. It is an idiom meaning "will provide everything you need" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
"from his glorious riches that he gives through Christ Jesus"
Philippians 4:20
Now to our God
The word "Now" marks the closing prayer and the end of this section of the letter.
Philippians 4:21
The brothers
This refers to those people who were either ministering with or to Paul.
brothers
See how you translated this in Philippians 1:12.
all God's holy people
Some versions translate this as "every holy person" or "every saint."
Philippians 4:22
All God's holy people
Some versions translate this as "All the believers" or "All of the saints."
especially those of Caesar's household
This refers to servants who worked in Caesar's palace. "especially the fellow believers who work in the palace of Caesar"
Philippians 4:23
with your spirit
Paul refers to the believers by using the word "spirit," which is the part of a person that can relate to God. Alternate translation: "with you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)