Philippians 4
The full text of Philippians 4 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you also, my true companion, help these women, for they have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to everyone. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be brought low, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of facing every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Still, it was kind of you to share in my troubles.
15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.
16 For even while I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I was in need — and not just once.
17 Not that I am looking for the gift; rather, I am looking for the profit that accumulates to your account.
18 I have been paid in full, and more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet all God's holy people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send their greetings.
22 All God's holy people send greetings, especially those of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Translation notes (15)
- Philippians 4:1a The Greek word agapetoi (ἀγαπητοί), rendered here as 'dear friends', appears at both the beginning and the end of this verse in the best Greek manuscripts, forming an inclusio.
- Philippians 4:2a The repeated I urge reflects the Greek parakalō, 'I urge' (παρακαλῶ), addressed to each woman individually. The phrase to be of the same mind translates to auto phronein, 'to think the same thing' (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν), recalling 2:2. Both Euodia and Syntyche are feminine names in Greek.
- Philippians 4:3a The Greek phrase gnesie syzyge means 'true companion' or 'true yokefellow.' Syzygos may also be a personal name ('loyal Syzygus'), in which case 'true/genuine' would be a play on the name.
- Philippians 4:5a Greek to epieikes (τὸ ἐπιεικές) resists a single English equivalent, spanning 'gentleness', 'forbearance', and 'reasonableness'. Engys, 'near', is ambiguous: the Lord may be near in space, as in Psalm 145:18, where the LORD is near to all who call on him, or near in time, echoing early Christian expectation of his coming. The translation preserves both possibilities.
- Philippians 4:6a The Greek verb merimnao (μεριμνάω), 'to be anxious', pictures the mind pulled apart by competing cares, the same verb Jesus uses in Matthew 6:25. Paul pairs the general term proseuche, 'prayer', with deesis, 'petition', a request arising from concrete need, and frames both meta eucharistias, 'with thanksgiving'.
- Philippians 4:7a The verb phrouresei (φρουρήσει), 'will guard', is a military term for a garrison keeping watch over a city, an image apt for Philippi, a Roman colony familiar with stationed troops. The participle hyperechousa, 'surpassing', with panta noun, literally 'every mind', suggests a peace exceeding not only comprehension but every human capacity of thought.
- Philippians 4:10a Anethalete, 'bloomed again' (ἀνεθάλετε), is a horticultural metaphor indicating revived support. The tactful qualification uses ēkaireisthe, 'you lacked opportunity' (ἠκαιρεῖσθε). The exuberant tone is marked by echaren megalōs, 'I rejoiced greatly' (ἐχάρην μεγάλως).
- Philippians 4:11a The Greek autarkes (αὐτάρκης) means 'self-sufficient' or 'content'. This term, with its background in Stoic philosophy, is recontextualized by Paul to refer to Christian contentment found in Christ rather than in inherent human capacity.
- Philippians 4:12a The phrase 'learned the secret' translates memyēmai (μεμύημαι), the only New Testament occurrence of myeō, a verb used in Greek religion for initiation into mystery cults. Paul borrows the language of initiation to describe contentment as knowledge acquired through experience, whether tapeinousthai, 'to be brought low', or perisseuein, 'to abound'.
- Philippians 4:13a Some manuscripts read 'through Christ who gives me strength.'
- Philippians 4:15a The phrase eis logon doseōs kai lēmpseōs, literally 'in an account of giving and receiving', draws on Greek commercial vocabulary, where logos denoted a financial ledger recording debits and credits. Paul casts the Philippians' support as a formal business partnership in the gospel rather than casual charity.
- Philippians 4:17a The Greek phrase karpon ton pleonazonta eis logon hymōn, 'the profit that accumulates to your account,' employs a commercial metaphor for spiritual benefit, portraying the Philippians' generosity as an investment that yields a return in their divine ledger.
- Philippians 4:18a The Greek apechō, 'I have been paid in full', was the standard commercial term for issuing a receipt, here applied to the Philippians' gift. Paul then shifts to cultic language: osmē euōdias, 'a fragrant offering', is the Septuagint's formula for sacrifices pleasing to God (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18), casting their financial support as an act of worship.
- Philippians 4:22a The phrase hoi ek tes Kaisaros oikias, 'those of Caesar's household,' denotes members of the imperial household in Rome—slaves, freedpersons, and administrative staff—rather than blood relatives; contemporary Roman inscriptions attest this administrative sense.
- Philippians 4:23a Some manuscripts read 'with you all' or add 'Amen.'
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