New Testament Commentary - Philippians 4

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
                 CHAPTER 4

Stand fast in the Lord—We believe in being honest, true, and chaste.

Paul joys in the fruits of his labors—He directs them to stand fast in the Lord—He admonishes them to be honest, true, chaste, etc. "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hop to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." ~ Articles of Faith #13
  1 THEREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crowna, so astand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
  2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
  3 And I intreat thee also, true ayokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the bbook of life.
 1a my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown Paul joys in the fruit of his labor of the harvest of souls unto God. Those saints true of Philippi are dearly beloved of Paul in the gospel. They are the fruit of his missionary efforts. He longs to be with then in Christ. They are his joy and his crown of glory in the kingdom of God, being those whom he has brought unto Christ. Consider the joy of Paul in such many souls whom he brought unto Christ (See D&C 18:15-16).
  4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
  5 Let your amoderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
  6 aBe bcareful for nothing; but in every thing by cprayer and supplication with dthanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
  7 And the apeace of God, which passeth all bunderstanding, shall ckeep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
  8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are atrue, whatsoever things are bhonest, whatsoever things are cjust, whatsoever things are dpure, whatsoever things are elovely, fwhatsoever things are of good report; if there be any gvirtue, and if there be any praise, hthink on these things.
  9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and areceived, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
  10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your acare of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye blacked opportunity.
  11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be acontent.
  12 I know both how to be aabased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
  13 I can do all things through aChrist which bstrengtheneth me.
  14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did acommunicate with my affliction.
  15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
  16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
  17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire afruit that may abound to your account.
  18 But I have all, and aabound: I am full, having received of bEpaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
  19 But my God shall supply all your aneed according to his briches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
  21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
  22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of aCaesar's household.
  23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ¶ It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.