Philippians 4: Rejoice in the Lord always

Where Philippians 4 sits

In the story

Act VI, Church: Acts–Jude · Rome, AD 60s and later

In the Bible

New Testament · Letters · chapter 4 of 4 in Philippians

In Philippians

Stand firm, rejoice, and thanks for the gift, 4:1–23

Before

Philippians 3: The righteousness from God on the basis of faith

After

Philippians closes here

Philippians 4 summary

Therefore Paul's beloved brothers, his joy and crown, are to stand firm in the Lord. He urges Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord and asks his true companion to help these women, who strove at his side in the gospel with Clement and the rest of his fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. They are to rejoice in the Lord always; again he says, rejoice. Their gentleness should be known to all, for the Lord is near. They are to be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make their requests known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, they are to think on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, and to practice what they learned, received, heard and saw in Paul, and the God of peace will be with them. Paul rejoices greatly in the Lord that their concern for him has flourished again; they had cared, but lacked opportunity. He does not speak from need, for he has learned to be content in every circumstance: he knows how to be brought low and how to abound, to be full and to be hungry, and he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. Still, they did well to share in his trouble. They know that in the early days of the gospel, when he left Macedonia, no church but theirs shared with him in giving and receiving, and even in Thessalonica they sent help more than once. He seeks not the gift but the fruit that increases to their credit. He has received in full from Epaphroditus what they sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God, and his God will supply every need of theirs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever. All the saints greet them, especially those of Caesar's household, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirit.

Philippians 4 in context

Speaking

Paul, closing the letter with appeals, thanks and greetings

Written for

The Philippian church, including two women at odds (4:2) and the givers of the gift Epaphroditus brought (4:18)

Around it

Draws the conclusion of chapter 3 (stand firm, 4:1), closes the exhortation of 1:27 with unity, joy and peace (4:2–9), and thanks them for the gift (4:10–20), matching the partnership of 1:3–11

The sections of Philippians 4

1. Stand firm in the Lord
   4:1–3
2. The peace of God
   4:4–7
3. Think on these things
   4:8–9
4. I have learned to be content
   4:10–14
5. A fragrant offering
   4:15–20
6. The household of Caesar
   4:21–23

Around Philippians 4

Places

• Macedonia
• Thessalonica

Read alongside

• Acts 17
• 2 Corinthians 11
• 2 Corinthians 8
• Matthew 6
• Exodus 32
• Psalm 69

Chapters that point here

• Leviticus 2
• 3 John 1

Questions on Philippians 4

1. What does Paul set against anxiety, and what does God promise to do (4:6–7)?

2. What does Paul mean by “I can do all things through Christ” in its setting (4:11–13)?

3. How does the thanks for the gift in 4:10–20 echo the thanksgiving of 1:3–11?

The answers are in TheoMaps Challenges.