Philippians 4

General context

Paul calls the readers his joy and crown and tells them to stand fast. He names two women, Euodias and Syntyche, and asks them to be of the same mind in the Lord, then asks a true yokefellow to help them, with Clement and other fellowlabourers whose names are in the book of life. He tells them to rejoice always, repeats it, asks that their moderation be known to all, and says the Lord is at hand. Instead of anxiety he prescribes prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and promises the peace of God, which passes all understanding, to guard heart and mind. He then lists what they should think about: whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, and anything of virtue or praise, and tells them to do what they learned and saw in him. The rest of the chapter is about money. He rejoices that their care for him has flourished again, notes they lacked opportunity rather than will, and insists he does not speak out of want, having learned contentment in any state, abased or abounding. He says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him, but adds they did well to share his affliction. He reminds them that when he left Macedonia no church shared with him in giving and receiving except them, and that they sent to his need once and again in Thessalonica. He says he wants fruit added to their account rather than a gift, reports that he now has enough after receiving what they sent by Epaphroditus, calls it a sacrifice acceptable to God, and promises God will supply their need. He ends with greetings, chiefly from those of Cesar's household.

Cited passages: Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:2, Philippians 4:3, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:5, Philippians 4:6, Philippians 4:7, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 4:9, Philippians 4:10, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:12, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 4:14, Philippians 4:15, Philippians 4:16, Philippians 4:17, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, Philippians 4:21, Philippians 4:22, Philippians 4:23

Philippians 4 (KJV)

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Historical context

Four people are named: Euodias, Syntyche, Clement and Epaphroditus, and one is addressed without a name, true yokefellow. The chapter never says what the disagreement between the two women was, only that they are asked to be of the same mind in the Lord, and it says they laboured with me in the gospel. Two places are named, Macedonia and Thessalonica, the readers are addressed as ye Philippians, and the only time marker is in the beginning of the gospel. Paul says the readers alone supported him then, and that they sent to Thessalonica once and again, but no amount is given for any gift. Caesar is named once, in the greeting from them that are of Cesar's household, with no further identification. No scripture is quoted. After the closing Amen the source prints one more line, It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus, which stands inside the final verse rather than as a heading; Rome is named nowhere in the body of the letter.

Cited passages: Philippians 4:2, Philippians 4:3, Philippians 4:15, Philippians 4:16, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:22, Philippians 4:23

Literary context

The chapter moves in short blocks with no connective argument between them, so a named quarrel, a call to rejoice, a rule about anxiety and a list of things to think about sit side by side. The list itself is built by repetition, six clauses each opening whatsoever things are, which gives the instruction a rhythm before it gives it content. The thank-you at the end is the most carefully hedged writing in the letter. Paul says twice what he is not doing, not speaking in respect of want and not because I desire a gift, and he places his contentment before his gratitude, so the thanks arrive without a request attached. The vocabulary is commercial throughout that section, communicate, giving and receiving, your account, I have all, and abound, and the gift is then handed over to a different category entirely, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable.

Cited passages: Philippians 4:2, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:6, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:15, Philippians 4:17, Philippians 4:18

Key moments

1. Euodias and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2). Two named women are asked to be of the same mind.
2. A yokefellow asked to help (Philippians 4:3). An unnamed person is asked to assist the women and the fellowlabourers.
3. Prayer instead of anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Requests are to be made known to God with thanksgiving.
4. Think on these things (Philippians 4:8). A list of qualities is given as the subject for thought.
5. Learned to be content (Philippians 4:11). Paul says contentment came by learning, not by circumstance.
6. Only the Philippians gave (Philippians 4:15). He recalls that no other church shared with him at the start.
7. The gift received (Philippians 4:18). What Epaphroditus brought is called a sacrifice acceptable to God.

For reflection

Paul says he learned contentment, in whatsoever state I am, rather than arriving with it. What would learning it look like in the state you are actually in?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Epaphroditus

Also indexed here:

• Clement
• Euodia
• Nero
• Syntyche