Philippians · chapter 4 of 4
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Philippians 4 urges believers to stand firm in the Lord, live in harmony, rejoice always and bring everything to God in prayer instead of being anxious, so that the peace of God may guard their hearts. Paul asks them to think on what is true, honorable and pure, shares that he has learned to be content in every situation, thanks the Philippians for their gift and promises that God will supply all their needs.
Philippians 4 closes the letter with practical counsel and a word of thanks. It is one of the most quoted chapters of the New Testament for its teaching on peace, prayer and contentment, written by a man in prison, and a letter full of joy.
Paul calls the Philippians, whom he loves and misses, his joy and crown, to stand firm in the Lord. He urges Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord and asks a true companion to help them, for they labored with him in the gospel, together with Clement and his other fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Then he urges them to rejoice in the Lord always and to let their reasonableness be known to everyone, because the Lord is at hand. They must not be anxious about anything but make their requests known to God in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. He asks them to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure and lovely, and to put into practice what they learned and saw in him, and the God of peace will be with them.
Paul rejoices greatly in the Lord that their concern for him has revived, though they lacked opportunity. He does not say this out of need: he has learned to be content, knows how to live with little and with plenty, and has learned the secret of being full and of going hungry. He can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
He recalls that the Philippians were the only ones who partnered with him in the beginning of the gospel, when he left Macedonia, and they sent aid more than once to Thessalonica. He does not seek the gift but the fruit that increases to their credit. Now he has received full payment through Epaphroditus, a fragrant offering pleasing to God. My God, he says, will supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever. He sends greetings from the brothers and those of Caesar's household, with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul asks us to rejoice in the Lord always, and he repeats it. Christian joy does not depend on circumstances but on who the Lord is and on his nearness.
We are not to be anxious about anything but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving, and his peace, which surpasses understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. It is a promise of protection for the one who trusts.
Paul has learned to be content, both in need and in plenty. Contentment is not a natural trait but something learned, and its secret is in Christ.
He can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. In context, the phrase speaks of being able to live content in every circumstance, not of achieving whatever one sets out to do.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: To agree in the Lord. — Philippians 4:2
Answer: Make our requests known to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. — Philippians 4:6
Answer: Guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7
Answer: To be content in any situation, both in need and in plenty. — Philippians 4:11-12
Answer: Christ, who strengthens him. — Philippians 4:13
Answer: Supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4 is a text for the anxious. Paul does not deny problems but proposes a way: prayer with gratitude, a mind set on what is good and trust that God gives his peace. In a small group you can list worries, bring them to God together and give thanks for something specific in each.
Contentment is another practical lesson. It is not achieved through comparison or having more but by learning to depend on Christ. A youth group can ask what steals its joy and which habits would help. And the Philippians' generosity reminds us that supporting those who serve is a way of sharing in the gospel.
Philippians 4 ends with the promise that God will supply every need and with a blessing of grace. The letter teaches that joy and peace are possible even in prison, because Christ is enough.
Paul is writing about his ability to endure both need and plenty. It is not a promise of success in any goal but of Christ's strength to live content and faithful in whatever circumstance, whatever it may be.
They were two women of the church in Philippi who had worked with Paul in the gospel and who apparently had a disagreement. Paul names them with affection and asks them to be reconciled, which shows the value he placed on their service and on the unity of the church.
Probably officials, slaves and servants of the emperor in Rome, some of whom had believed. It is a sign that the gospel reached the circle of imperial power through the witness of Paul in prison.