Philippians
Chapter 4
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, you are my glory and crown; be steadfast in the Lord.
Recommendations
I urge Euodia and Syntyche to reach a mutual understanding in the Lord.
And I also ask you, my faithful companion, to help these women, for they have worked with me in the service of the gospel, along with Clement and my other fellow workers, whose names are written in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I shall say it: Rejoice!
May everyone see your gentle and understanding heart. The Lord is near:
do not be anxious about anything. In everything, bring your requests to God through prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving.
Then, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and admirable. Pay attention to anything worth praise and admiration.
Put into action what you have learned from me, what I have shared with you, what you heard from me, or saw me do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks and Final Greetings
I rejoice in the Lord because of your concern for me. You were truly concerned about me before, but you had no chance to show it.
I do not say this because I am in need; I have learned to get by with what I have.
I know what it’s like to be in want and to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little.
I can do all things through him who gives me strength.
However, you were right to share my trials.
You Philippians, remember that in the beginning, when we first preached the gospel after I left Macedonia, you alone opened a debit and credit account for me,
and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.
It is not your gift that I value, but rather the interest growing in your own account.
Now I have enough and more than enough, with everything Epaphroditus brought me on your behalf and which I received as fragrant offerings pleasing to God.
God himself will supply your every need according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus.
Glory to God, our Father, forever and ever: Amen.
Greet all who believe in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters with me send their greetings.
All the believers here send their greetings, especially those from Caesar’s household.
The grace of Christ Jesus the Lord be with your spirit.
Commentaries
Paul’s Example.
With urgent and affectionate words, Paul offers his life as an example to the Philippians, contrasting sharply with the behavior of the “enemies of the cross of Christ” (18), who seek security in purely human rites and performances (1 Cor 1:22ff), place excessive importance on dietary observances (cf. Rom 16:18), and take pride in circumcision (19). The Apostle’s relentless struggle is not against harmless rites, but against the underlying idolatry in these religious practices—everything that, being perishable and temporary, still takes on an outsized importance in our lives, shrinking our horizon and preventing higher aspirations. Paul sees the hope of Jesus Christ’s final victory symbolized in the future resurrection “that will transform our mortal body, making it like his glorious body” (21).
Recommendations.
The farewell, beginning in 3:1, resumes after the previous section, taken from another letter. We know little about the individuals mentioned here. Paul always has a group of helpers, including many women who assist him in evangelization and teaching. The mention of joy ties back to the start of the farewell and affirms the letter’s cheerful tone, especially in the first two chapters. Paul wants this joy not just to be personal but to be shared widely, spreading happiness through goodness. The desire for “the peace of God” is a trait of the Apostle that appears in all his letters, both as a greeting and a farewell. It is this deep peace that will free the Philippians from all worry. Paul encourages Christians to be expectant and peaceful, but not lazy (cf. 1 Thes 4:11f).
Thanks and Final Greetings.
Before ending the letter, Paul thanks the Philippians for providing material support and for sending a community member to help him while he is in prison. He views this act of solidarity as a reflection of the worship that God desires from us (18). The final greeting (23) might be a phrase borrowed from the community’s liturgy.