Philippians 4
He exhorts them to perseverance in all good and acknowledges their charitable contributions to him.
1And so, my most beloved and most desired brothers, my joy and my crown: stand firm in this way, in the Lord, most beloved. 2I ask Euodia, and I beg Syntyche, to have the same understanding in the Lord. ▼▼4:2On 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)
3And 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. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice. 5Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious about nothing. But in all things, with prayer and supplication, with acts of thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. 7And so shall the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8Concerning 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. ▼
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▼▼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)
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▼ 9All 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. 10Now 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. 11I am not saying this as if out of need. For I have learned that, in whatever state I am, it is sufficient. 12I 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. 13Everything is possible in him who has strengthened me. 14Yet truly, you have done well by sharing in my tribulation. 15But 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. 16For you even sent to Thessalonica, once, and then a second time, for what was useful to me. 17It is not that I am seeking a gift. Instead, I seek the fruit that abounds to your benefit. 18But 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. 19And may my God fulfill all your desires, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20And to God our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 22The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. The Letter to the Philippians
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