Philippians 4:5-15

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 1The Lord is near.
6 2Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by 3prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And 4the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will 5guard your hearts and your 6minds in 7Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, 8whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen 9in me, practice these things, and 10the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provisions

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last 11you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be 12content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going 13hungry, both of having abundance and 14suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who 15strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to 16share with me in my affliction.
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the 17first preaching of the gospel, after I left 18Macedonia, no church 19shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;

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Philippians 4:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 4

This chapter contains exhortations to various duties becoming Christians, the apostle's thankfulness to the Philippians for their present to him, and the conclusion of the epistle with the salutations of the brethren: in Php 4:1; the apostle exhorts the saints with great affection to perseverance in the doctrine and faith of Christ; and in Php 4:2; mentions some persons by name, and to whom he recommends unity and agreement; and in Php 4:3; entreats others to assist them therein; and in Php 4:4; exhorts them all in general to joy in the Lord, and to moderation, enforced by this argument, the Lord being at hand, Php 4:5; and to calmness and quietness of mind, and to prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, Php 4:6; to which they are encouraged, by the promise of having the peace of God, keeping their minds through Christ, Php 4:7; and to conclude, he exhorts them to everything that is virtuous had commendable; to which he stimulates them, from the consideration of the nature of the things themselves, from his own example, and from the presence of God with them, they might expect to enjoy, Php 4:8,9; and then he proceeds to take notice of the kindness of the Philippians to him, declares his joy on account of it, and expresses it by their care of him again; which he corrects, by observing that it was not for want of care in them before, but of opportunity of showing it, Php 4:10; nor did he take notice of this present of theirs, with so much exultation on account of his own penury, for he had learnt the great lesson of contentment in every state, Php 4:11; which he enlarges upon and explains; namely, that he had been taught, and knew how to behave in fulness and want, in prosperity and adversity; though this was not owing to himself, but to the power and strength of Christ, Php 4:12,13; however, he commends the Philippians for their communicating to him in his affliction, both at the first preaching of the Gospel to them, and at several times since, Php 4:14-16, the reason of which commendation was not because he was covetous of gifts and presents from them, but to encourage them to bring forth fruit, which would turn to their own advantage, Php 4:17; as for himself he had enough, and therefore said not this on his own account, but because such communication was a sacrifice well pleasing to God, and a return would be made by him; who, as he was able to supply all their need, would; of which he assures them, and for which he prays, Php 4:17-19, and to whom he gives the glory of what they had given, and he had received, Php 4:20; and then the epistle is concluded with the salutation of the apostle, and the saints, and brethren with him, and with his usual benediction, Php 4:21,22.

Cross References 19

  • 1. 1 Cor 16:22 mg; Hebrews 10:37; James 5:8
  • 2. Matthew 6:25
  • 3. Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:5
  • 4. Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 3:15
  • 5. 1 Peter 1:5
  • 6. 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • 7. Philippians 1:1; Philippians 4:19, 21
  • 8. Romans 14:18; 1 Peter 2:12
  • 9. Philippians 3:17
  • 10. Romans 15:33
  • 11. 2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 2:30
  • 12. 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 8; Hebrews 13:5
  • 13. 1 Corinthians 4:11
  • 14. 2 Corinthians 11:9
  • 15. 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11
  • 16. Hebrews 10:33; Revelation 1:9
  • 17. Philippians 1:5
  • 18. Romans 15:26
  • 19. 2 Corinthians 11:9

Footnotes 8

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