Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
My fellow believers, I love you, and I long for you. You make me happy [MTY], and I am (proud of/pleased with) you. Dear friends, on the basis [of all that I have told you], continue to believe firmly in the Lord doing what I have just taught you.
2 I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
I urge [you(sg)], Euodia, and I urge [you(sg)], Syntyche, to again have a peaceful relationship with each other, [because you both have a relationship with] the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
And, my faithful comrade/partner, I request that you [(sg)] help them [to again have a peaceful relationship with each other], because they have [faithfully proclaimed] the message [about Christ] together with me, [even though many people] have opposed us [(exc)]. They have faithfully proclaimed that message together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names [are] in the book [in which God has written the names of all those people who will] live [forever].
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
[Because you have a relationship with] the Lord, always rejoice! I’m saying it again, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
[Act in such a way that] everyone can know that you are gentle. The Lord is coming soon.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Do not worry about anything. Instead, in every situation, pray [to God], tell him what you need, and ask him [to help you] [DOU]. Also thank [him for what he does for you].
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As a result, God will enable you not to worry [about anything] [MTY] (OR, God will protect your minds [in every way]) [PRS]. [That is], he will cause you to have [inner] peace [because you have a relationship with] Christ Jesus. You will not be able to understand [PRS] [how you can be so peaceful in such difficult circumstances!]!
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
My fellow believers, there is one more thing I [want you to do]. Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is right, whatever is morally pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is admirable, whatever is good, whatever [deserves] praise, those are the things that you should continually think about.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Those things that I have taught you and that you have learned from me, those things that you have heard me [say] and that you have seen me [do], those are the things that you yourselves should continually do. As a result [of your doing those things], God, the one who [causes us to] have [inner] peace, will (be with/bless) you.
10 Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
I rejoice greatly [and thank] the Lord because now, after some time, [by sending money to me] you have once again shown that you are concerned about me [EUP]. Indeed, you were concerned about me [all the time], but you had no opportunity [to show that you were concerned about me].
11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
I am saying this not because I [am concerned that I] lack things [that I need]. In fact, I have learned to be content in whatever [situation] I am.
12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.
[Specifically], I know how [to be content when] I do not have what I need, and I know how [to be content when] I have plenty. I have learned how [to be content] in any and every [situation] [DOU]. [Specifically], I have learned how [to be content when] I have enough to eat, and I have learned how [to be content when] I do not have enough to eat. I have learned how [to be content when] I have plenty [DOU] [of what I need], and I have learned [how to be content when] I lack [things].
13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
I am able (to cope with/to handle) every situation because [Christ] gives me the strength to do that.
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.
Nevertheless, you did very well by [helping me] (OR, [giving me money]) [EUP] while I have been suffering hardship.
15 And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
[My friends there at Philippi], you yourselves know that when I first [proclaimed] the message about Christ [to you], and then left there to go to Macedonia [province], you were the only group of believers [LIT] who [sent me] gifts [EUP] in order that I might [proclaim that message] to others just like I did for you.
16 For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
Even [when I was] in Thessalonica [city], you sent [money] [EUP] to me two different times [IDM] in order to [supply] what I needed.
17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
I say this, not because I desire that you give me money now. Instead, I desire that [God] will abundantly bless [MET] you as a result of [your helping me].
18 I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
But I have received a very generous [gift] [EUP] [from you], and [as a result], I have plenty. I have an abundant supply [of what I need because] I have received from Epaphroditus the money [EUP] that you [sent to me]. God considers that your gift is very acceptable, and he is very pleased with it. [Your gift is like] a nice-smelling sacrifice [MET].
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
[Moreover], God, [whom] I [serve], has an unlimited supply [of everything that we(inc) need]. And as a result, because of your relationship with Christ Jesus, he will completely supply everything that you need.
[So], praise God our Father forever and ever! Amen! (aiōn g165)
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings.
Greet [for me/us(exc)] all of God’s people [there, that is, all those who have a relationship with] Christ Jesus. The fellow believers who [serve God together] with me here send their greetings to you (OR, say they are thinking fondly of you).
22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
All of God’s people [here] send their greetings to you. Especially the [fellow believers who work] in the palace of the emperor send their greetings to you.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
My desire is [that our] Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to] act kindly toward you all [SYN].
