Philippians 4:4-9
Chapter 4
4
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I shall say it: Rejoice!
5
May everyone see your gentle and understanding heart. The Lord is near:
6
do not be anxious about anything. In everything, bring your requests to God through prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving.
7
Then, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8
Finally, brothers and sisters, think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and admirable. Pay attention to anything worth praise and admiration.
9
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.
Commentaries
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).