Agree with one another and be happy
1 ① Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, you my glory and crown, be steadfast in the Lord. 2I beg Evodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3And you, Sycygus, my true companion, I beg you to help them. Do not forget that they have labored with me in the service of the Gospel, together with Clement and my other fellow-workers whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice 5and may everyone experience your gentle and understanding heart. The Lord is near: 6do not be anxious about anything. In everything resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring your requests before God. 7Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble. Be mindful of whatever deserves praise and admiration. 9Put into practice what you have learned from me, what I passed on to you, what you heard from me or saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul’s thankfulness
10 ② I rejoice in the Lord because of your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I do not say this because of being in want; I have learned to manage with what I have. 12I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little. 13I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
14However you did right in sharing my trials. 15You Philippians, remember that in the beginning, when we first preached the Gospel, after I left Macedonia you alone opened for me a debit and credit account, 16and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.
17It is not your gift that I value but rather the interest increasing in your own account. 18Now I have enough and more than enough with everything Epaphroditus brought me on your behalf and which I received as “fragrant offerings pleasing to God.” 19God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus. 20Glory to God, our Father, for ever and ever: Amen.
21Greet all who believe in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters with me greet you. 22All the believers here greet you, especially those from Caesar’s household. 23The grace of Christ Jesus, the Lord, be with your spirit.
- Phil 4,1 Once again the theme is interrupted; this passage seems to be the continuation of 2:19-3:1. The Book of Life (v. 3) is a common Jewish term meaning those who will be saved (Rev 20:12). Fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble (v. 8). Paul continuously repeats that it is not enough to avoid what is forbidden. Let us discover this free and open attitude of a believer who knows that God speaks to him in a thousand ways through others. How many examples before our eyes each day! What great, noble and true things there are in this world about which we speak negatively! Let us accept what is good, wherever we find it, even among unbelievers. Phil 4,10 Paul thanks the Church of Philippi for their help. He, who is so jealous of his independence and anxious not to seem to take advantage of others under the pretext of religion, accepts what his real friends give him.
- Phil 4,1 Once again the theme is interrupted; this passage seems to be the continuation of 2:19-3:1. The Book of Life (v. 3) is a common Jewish term meaning those who will be saved (Rev 20:12). Fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble (v. 8). Paul continuously repeats that it is not enough to avoid what is forbidden. Let us discover this free and open attitude of a believer who knows that God speaks to him in a thousand ways through others. How many examples before our eyes each day! What great, noble and true things there are in this world about which we speak negatively! Let us accept what is good, wherever we find it, even among unbelievers. Phil 4,10 Paul thanks the Church of Philippi for their help. He, who is so jealous of his independence and anxious not to seem to take advantage of others under the pretext of religion, accepts what his real friends give him.
