Philippians 4

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

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

3 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.

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

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

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

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

8 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.

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

10 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.

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

12 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.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.

15 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.

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

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

18 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Around Philippians 4

Context

Context for this book is being written. A note appears here only once it names its sources.

AI explanation

Philippians 4 · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader

This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.

What this chapter says

Paul writes tenderly to people he calls his joy and crown. He asks two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who labored with him in the Good News, to think the same way in the Lord, and asks a true partner to help them. Then he gives some of the best-loved lines in the letter. Rejoice in the Lord always. “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 their hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. He tells them to think on what is true, honorable, just, pure and lovely.

Then he speaks about himself. “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.” That holds whether he is filled or hungry. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

He thanks them for their gifts, sent through Epaphroditus, and promises that his God will supply every need of theirs.

Background

Paul writes from prison to the church at Philippi, a church that had sent him support again and again. The strength of verse 13 is said in the setting of hunger and plenty, and it stands next to his thanks for their gift. The letter mentions the household of Caesar among the saints who send greetings, which fits an imperial city. The text is a pastor's exhortation and does not speak to medical conditions.

About this explanation

Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 17 October 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.

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Context check

World English Bible. Public-domain source and edition notes