Therefore, my brothers, ▼

▼Or  brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21

whom I love and ^blong for, ^cmy joy and ^dcrown, ^estand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

So stand fast; as those whose citizenship is in heaven, and who have the glorious hopes just named.

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to ^fagree in the Lord.

Euodias, and--Syntyche; two Christian women at Philippi.

In the Lord; in love to him and efforts to promote his cause. Differences among Christians, especially in religious matters, are a great hinderance to the gospel, and should as soon as practicable be healed.

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, ▼

▼Or loyal Syzygus; Greek  true yokefellow

help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, ^hwhose names are in the book of life.

True yoke-fellow; a person whose name and office are to us unknown. The words may possibly be addressed to Epaphroditus, the bearer of the epistle, whom, as present, he does not think it necessary to name.

Labored with me; not in preaching--as public teachers--but in ways appropriate to women, exerting their influence to promote the success of the gospel. Pious women may do much to promote the cause of Christ, and in a way which shall furnish increasing evidence that God has enrolled their names among the heirs of heaven.

ⁱRejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. ^jThe Lord is at hand;

Moderation; mildness, especially towards opposers.

The Lord is at hand; to deliver you, and punish your persecutors. The shortness and uncertainty of time should moderate our desire for earthly things, and lead us so to use them, that in the account we must soon give, the Judge may say, "Well done, good and faithful servants; enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

^kdo not be anxious about anything, ^lbut in everything by prayer and supplication ^mwith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Careful; anxious, solicitous.

And ⁿthe peace of God, ^owhich surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace of God; that which he gives, and like that which he enjoys. Joh 14:27; Isa 26:3.

Shall keep; in a state of joyous composure and security. The original word means, keep as a military watch. Habitual affectionate communion with God, asking him for all good which is needed, praising him for all that is received, and trusting him for future supplies, prevents anxious cares, inspires peace, calmness, and composure, and furnishes a delight surpassing all finite comprehension.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Honest ; honorable and worthy of being respected. Any virtue--praise ; any thing truly virtuous or praiseworthy. Think on these things ; attend to and practise them. Professors of religion should be careful never to falsify their word, or be mean or dishonorable, unjust, impure, or unamiable; but conscientiously and habitually to practise whatever deserves to be respected and is praiseworthy.

What you have learned and ^preceived and heard and seen ^qin me—practice these things, and ^rthe God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^syou have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

Your care of me; in sending him assistance.

Ye were--careful; ready to assist, but had not opportunity.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^tcontent.

Not--in respect of want; his necessities were not the reason of his mentioning this subject. Compare verse Php 4:17.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^uhunger, abundance and ^vneed.

To be abased; to be destitute.

To abound; to have an abundance.

Instructed; literally, initiated, as into something of which the world at large is ignorant. God has taught me to bear prosperity with meekness, and adversity with contentment.

I can do all things ^wthrough him who strengthens me.

Do all things; to which he was in duty called.

Yet it was kind of you ^xto share ▼

▼Or have fellowship in

my trouble.

And you Philippians yourselves know that ^zin the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, ^aano church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

In the beginning of the gospel; when he first preached it to them.

Communicated with me; by sending him relief.

Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

^abNot that I seek the gift, but I seek ^acthe fruit that increases to your credit. ▼

▼Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account

Not because I desire a gift; he did not make this suggestion merely or principally for his own sake.

Fruit; the fruit of your Christian liberality, as something set to your account in heaven to be graciously rewarded.

I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ^aehaving received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ^afa fragrant offering, ^aga sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

And my God ^ahwill supply every need of yours ^aiaccording to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

None need neglect any known duty, or be discontented and unhappy in any condition of life. Let them trust in the Lord and do good to all as they have opportunity, especially to his people for his sake, and he will support them, and supply all their wants--not according to the narrowness, weakness, and unworthiness of their conceptions, but according to the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus.

To ^ajour God and Father be ^akglory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. ^alThe brothers who are with me greet you.

^amAll the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

They that are of Cesar's household; persons attached to the emperor's household, who had been converted by the labors of Paul or his associates.

^anThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.