Philippians 4

Philippians 4:1

In these views, my dearly beloved brethren, whose further proficiency and establishment I much desire and long for, and whom I now account the honourable seals of my ministry, and expect to be my crown of rejoicing in the last judgment, I again earnestly intreat you to abide stedfast and unshaken in your fiducial adherence to, and holy profession of, the Lord Jesus as your Head and Saviour

Philippians 4:2

And I beg that those noted women, Euodias, and Syntyche, would lay aside all their differences, and agree with the church and with one another in sentiment, profession, love, and affection in the Lord

Philippians 4:3

And I beseech you, my noted assistant in the work of the gospel, in the most prudent, tender, and affectionate manner, to advise and exhort them heartily to reunite in the common cause,—who, by their prayers, their sympathy, and their supplies, were so remarkably useful to me, and to Clement, and my other fellow preachers, who, I am persuaded, are noted favourites of God, and from eternity chosen to be heirs of salvation

Philippians 4:4

And let all of you true believers, in the view of the blessings which ye have in hand, or which ye hope for, always, and in all circumstances, rejoice and triumph in the Lord Jesus your Head and Saviour, and in all that he is, has, or does, for you, and even in your sufferings for his sake

Philippians 4:5

And—as knowing that he is at hand to observe your behaviour and take your part, and will quickly appear to execute vengeance on his Jewish, Heathen, or Antichristian, opposers, and ere long to judge the world—labour to maintain and discover a meek, patient, and gentle, temper of spirit towards all men your most furious persecutors not excepted, and a weanedness of affection from the things of this life

Philippians 4:6

Yea, whatever difficulties, wants, or dangers, may befall you, relating to this present world, never perplex yourselves with anxious, distrustful, and distracting, cares about them, how ye shall be able to avoid, bear up under, or get through, them: but in every time, circumstance, or matter,—in the firm faith of God’s promises, and with humble pleadings, and earnest importunity and perseverance, and with thanksgiving for mercies received or promised,—lay your whole case and requests before God as your reconciled Father in Christ, that, as the hearer of prayer, be may give you whatever help, comfort, deliverances, or blessings, are for your real advantage

Philippians 4:7

And, in so doing, the most excellent peace with God, with your own consciences, and with one another, and a transcendently sweet calmness of spirit, shall, through the merits of Christ, your union to him, and influences from him, fortify and preserve your souls from sinking or fainting under the heaviest troubles

Philippians 4:8

And, in fine, my brethren, beloved in the Lord,—whatever things are agreeable to the gospel of truth; or consist in, or promote, truth and sincerity, in words or actions, professions or engagements; whatever things are venerable, decent, or becoming in dress, language, or deportment, answerable to your respective stations as men or Christians,—whatsoever things are just and due to God or men in your dealings with them,—whatsoever things relate to 140 156* chastity in body or mind, or to holiness in heart, speech, or behaviour,—whatsoever things render a person amiable or lovely in the sight of God or men;—whatsoever is of good repute among wise, judicious, or pious men.—whatsoever is truly virtuous, brave, or laudable;—earnestly study the nature, obligations, and advantages, thereof, and carefully and constantly practise the same

Philippians 4:9

These, and the like branches of morality and piety, which ye, as disciples of Jesus Christ, and in part by my ministrations, have acquired the knowledge of, assented to, and approved as right, and which ye have seen exemplified in my own walk and behaviour,—seriously and diligently reduce to practice; and in this way God, who is your reconciled Father in Christ, and who gives and delights in the spiritual peace and orderly deportment and prosperity of his servants, shall take pleasure to dwell among you, manifest himself unto you, and bless and own you as a people near and dear to him

Philippians 4:10

And, having given you these important advices, I cannot but with inexpressible pleasure again reflect on the love and grace of our Lord Jesus, who inclined your hearts to repeat your affectionate and generous supplies to me in my imprisonment, even after ye seemed to have forgotten me; but I understand that was owing, not to your want of care, but of ability to give it, or opportunity to convey it safely

Philippians 4:11

I do not mention these things as if I were reduced to insupportable wants, or were uneasy under what I suffer, or as lifted up that I am now supplied by your bounty; for through the frequent changes of my condition, and the sanctified use thereof, I have, by the Spirit of God, been taught to exercise Christian contentment in every condition into which providence brings me, as being ordered for me by my heavenly Father, who never leaves me nor forsakes me; and as well calculated to promote my spiritual and eternal advantage

Philippians 4:12

In this manner I have been taught how to possess my soul in peace and patience when I am thrown into dejecting and humbling circumstances, and how to behave with proper humility and weanedness from the world when providence smiles on me. Wherever I am, and in whatever circumstances I am, whether I have plenty or scarcity, of the good things of this life, I am thoroughly taught to exercise the graces, and perform the duties, answerably to my diversified stations

Philippians 4:13

And, not indeed of myself, or even by the grace which I have already received, but by the continual influence and assistance of Jesus Christ, with whom I am united, and on whom I depend, and who is ever with me, to animate, excite, and strengthen me, I find myself enabled to perform these, and every other duty to which I am called, as a Christian and apostle

Philippians 4:14

My contentment in pressing straits does not however in the least lessen your kindness to me, or the reasonableness of it. No. In your sympathy with me in my tribulation, and your sending me a liberal supply for my relief, ye have acted a truly Christian part, acceptable to me, and even to God himself through Jesus Christ

Philippians 4:15

To your honour, I must also with pleasure remark that, when I departed from your province of Macedonia to preach the gospel in other places, ye returned me temporal benefits, as the grateful reward of my spiritual instructions, which no other church did

Philippians 4:16

Nay, when I was in Thessalonica, a far richer place, persecuted by the Jews and neglected by the Christians, ye more than once sent me your generous supplies

Philippians 4:17

I do not thus gratefully acknowledge your kindness as if I desired any more of it, but to encourage you to Christian benevolence in all other cases for promoting the cause of Christ, which, as the fruit of your faith and love to him and to his people, may turn out to his honour and your own rich advantage in the world to come

Philippians 4:18

What ye have sent to me by Epaphroditus has sufficiently supplied my wants, and has filled my soul with abundant gratitude to God and to you for the same, for it is at once a repeated testimony of your love to me, and spiritual sacrifice of acknowledgment to God, acceptable through Jesus Christ