The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

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- Chapter 4 -

And so, my most beloved and most desired brothers, my joy and my crown: stand firm in this way, in the Lord, most beloved.

I ask Euodia, and I beg Syntyche, to have the same understanding in the Lord.(a)

And I also ask you, as my genuine companion, to assist those women who have labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement and the rest of my assistants, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice.

Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.

And so shall the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Concerning the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is chaste, whatever is just, whatever is holy, whatever is worthy to be loved, whatever is of good repute, if there is any virtue, if there is any praiseworthy discipline: meditate on these.(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

All the things that you have learned and accepted and heard and seen in me, do these. And so shall the God of peace be with you.

The Generosity of the Philippians

(2 Corinthians 8:1–15)

Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly, because finally, after some time, your feelings for me have flourished again, just as you formerly felt. For you had been preoccupied.

I am not saying this as if out of need. For I have learned that, in whatever state I am, it is sufficient.

I know how to be humbled, and I know how to abound. I am prepared for anything, anywhere: either to be full or to be hungry, either to have abundance or to endure scarcity.

Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me.

Yet truly, you have done well by sharing in my tribulation.

But you also know, O Philippians, that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in the plan of giving and receiving, except you alone.

For you even sent to Thessalonica, once, and then a second time, for what was useful to me.

It is not that I am seeking a gift. Instead, I seek the fruit that abounds to your benefit.

But I have everything in abundance. I have been filled up, having received from Epaphroditus the things that you sent; this is an odor of sweetness, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

And may my God fulfill all your desires, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

And to God our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

(Ephesians 6:21–24; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.

The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)4:2 On the spiritual level of meaning, this verse refers to the Great Schism between the West and much of the East. The Church in the West is the Latin Rite, and Euodia is a Latin name. But Syntyche is a Greek name. So Euodia is a figure for the West, and Syntyche is a figure for those Eastern Churches that went astray from the Faith. The Holy Spirit is using the historical disagreement between these two women (the Church is often represented under the figure of a Bride) to represent the Great Schism. And notice that the Spirit ‘asks’ Euodia (the West) but ‘begs’ Syntyche (the Eastern schismatice) indicating that it is the Eastern schismatics who have erred. This verse is the Holy Spirit asking for the healing of the Great Schism.(Conte)

(b)4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, etc:Here the apostle enumerates general precepts of morality, which they ought to practise.(Challoner)

(c)4:8 Whatsoever things are true:in words, in promises, in lawful oaths, etc., he commands rectitude of mind, and sincerity of heart.(Challoner)

(d)4:8 Whatsoever modest:by these words he prescribes gravity in manners, modesty in dress, and decency in conversation.(Challoner)

(e)4:8 Whatsoever just:That is, in dealing with others, in buying or selling, in trade or business, to be fair and honest.(Challoner)

(f)4:8 Whatsoever holy:by these words may be understood, that those who are in a religious state professed, or in holy orders, should lead a life of sanctity and chastity, according to the vows they make; but these words being also applied to those in the world, indicate the virtuous life they are bound by the divine commandments to follow.(Challoner)

(g)4:8 Whatsoever lovely:that is, to practise those good offices in society, that procure us the esteem and good will of our neighbours.(Challoner)

(h)4:8 Whatsoever of good fame:That is, that by our conduct and behaviour we should edify our neighbours, and give them good example by our actions.(Challoner)

(i)4:8 If there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline:that those in error, by seeing the morality and good discipline of the true religion, may be converted.(Challoner)

(j)4:8 To think on these things:And finally, the apostle commands, not only the Philippians, but all Christians, to make it their study and concern that the peace of God might be with them.(Challoner)

Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.

Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Generosity of the Philippians

(2 Corinthians 8:1–15)

But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

However you did well that you shared in my affliction.

You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.

For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.

Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.

But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Final Greetings

(Ephesians 6:21–24; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

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