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Philippians 4

Paul brings church unity, prayer, and generous partnership together under the strength and provision found in Christ.

Paul asks Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord and calls on a fellow worker to help them. He then addresses the Philippian church about joy, prayer, and the thoughts and conduct that belong with faith. Turning to their gift, delivered by Epaphroditus, Paul thanks them for sharing in his hardship. He describes learning contentment through both hunger and abundance, affirms God’s provision, and closes with greetings and a blessing of grace.

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1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Philippians 4:6Paul directs anxious concerns toward God through prayer with thanksgiving, followed by the promise of peace guarding hearts and thoughts.
Philippians 4:13Christ’s strength sustains Paul through hunger and abundance, grounding his claim in the contentment he has learned.
Philippians 4:19Paul answers the Philippians’ generous care with confidence that God will supply their needs through Christ.
Where this chapter reaches

Matthew shares the teaching that God’s care for human needs grounds freedom from anxious worry, while prayer brings requests to him. 2 Corinthians shares Paul’s account of strength amid weakness and his treatment of generous giving as service that honors God.

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After reading the whole chapter

What stands out about Paul asking someone to help Euodia and Syntyche agree in the Lord?

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How does Paul’s experience of hunger and abundance shape your understanding of contentment?

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Questions people ask about Philippians 4

What does Philippians 4:13 mean?

Paul has just described learning contentment when hungry or filled, in need or in abundance. His statement about doing all things through Christ concerns strength to live faithfully across those circumstances. The surrounding verses give no promise of success in every ambition; they describe dependence on Christ through hardship and plenty.

Does Philippians 4:19 promise wealth?

Paul promises that God will supply the Philippians’ needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. He says this while thanking them for supporting him. The same passage includes hunger, need, and learned contentment, so the promise gives no guarantee of wealth or exemption from hardship.

Who were Euodia and Syntyche?

Euodia and Syntyche were women who had worked alongside Paul in the Good News. Paul urges both to agree in the Lord and asks a true partner to help them. He does not explain their disagreement or identify that partner by name, and he honors both women as fellow workers.

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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).