Think of Excellence

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, [a]whom I (A)long to see, my joy and crown, (B)stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to [b](C)live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true [c]companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my (D)fellow workers, whose (E)names are in the book of life.

(F)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. (G)The Lord is [d]near. (H)Do not [e]be anxious about anything, but in everything by (I)prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And (J)the peace of God, which surpasses all [f]comprehension, will (K)guard your hearts and (L)minds in (M)Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, (N)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [g]lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen (O)in me, practice these things, and (P)the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provisions

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last (Q)you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. 11 Not that I speak [h]from need, for I have learned to be [i](R)content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going (S)hungry, both of having abundance and (T)suffering need. 13 I can do all things [j]through Him who (U)strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to (V)share with me in my difficulty.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the [k](W)first preaching of the gospel, after I left (X)Macedonia, no church (Y)shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in (Z)Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 (AA)Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the [l]profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am [m]amply supplied, having received from (AB)Epaphroditus [n]what you have sent, [o](AC)a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And (AD)my God will supply [p]all your needs according to His (AE)riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to (AF)our God and Father (AG)be the glory [q]forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every [r]saint in Christ Jesus. (AH)The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 (AI)All the [s](AJ)saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 (AK)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (AL)be with your spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:1 Lit and longed for
  2. Philippians 4:2 Or be of the same mind
  3. Philippians 4:3 Lit yokefellow
  4. Philippians 4:5 Or at hand
  5. Philippians 4:6 I.e., have anxiety
  6. Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
  7. Philippians 4:8 Or lovable and gracious
  8. Philippians 4:11 Lit according to
  9. Philippians 4:11 Or self-sufficient
  10. Philippians 4:13 Lit in
  11. Philippians 4:15 Lit beginning of
  12. Philippians 4:17 Lit fruit
  13. Philippians 4:18 Lit made full
  14. Philippians 4:18 Lit the things from you
  15. Philippians 4:18 Lit an odor of fragrance
  16. Philippians 4:19 Or every need of yours
  17. Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages
  18. Philippians 4:21 Or holy one; i.e., God’s people
  19. Philippians 4:22 See note v 21

Think of Excellence

Therefore, my [a]fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, I ask you too, my true companion, to help these women [to keep on cooperating], for they have shared my struggle in the [cause of the] gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.(A)

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!(B) Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].(C)

Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

God’s Provisions

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 14 Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of preaching the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of [c]giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you]. 18 But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. 19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be the glory [d]forever and ever. Amen.

21 Remember me to every [e]saint in Christ Jesus. The [f]brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All [g]God’s people wish to be remembered to you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:1 Lit brethren.
  2. Philippians 4:8 Lit brethren.
  3. Philippians 4:15 The word used here was commonly used in financial transactions referring to payments or installments.
  4. Philippians 4:20 Lit to the ages of the ages.
  5. Philippians 4:21 Every born-again believer (saint) has been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose.
  6. Philippians 4:21 Lit brethren.
  7. Philippians 4:22 Lit the saints.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.