Chapter IV.
(Vers. 1.)
(Verse 1) Therefore, my beloved and deeply longed-for brothers, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, beloved. I urge you to persevere in the same faith, for their steadfastness is currently his joy and will be his crown in the future. For the disciples who are victorious in the battle, the teacher will be worthy of a crown.
(Vers. 2, 3.)
(Verse 2, 3) I urge Evodia and I plead with Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord. And I also ask you, my true companion, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. He encourages Evodia and Syntyche to increase in wisdom, with the help of those he mentions, so that they may progress in their knowledge and understanding of God, as they have already done in the work of the gospel. He declares that all of them, who have been faithful, are recorded in the book of life.
(Vers. 4.)
(Verse 4.) Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice. The joyful Apostle, in their works and faith, desires that they increase their zeal in this pursuit, always rejoicing in the Lord. This is what he repeats, to show that he rejoices in them with true affection.
(Vers. 5, 6, 7.)
(Verses 5, 6, 7.) Let your moderation be known to all men: the Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Now others may seek to gain from their example; for when their modesty is made known, that is, their reasonable conduct, their works will shine, and there will be those who imitate their goodness; so that not only the progress of their own deeds, but also the increase of others may be attained; that as it is said (Psalms 127:2), they may enjoy the fruits of their labors. For when the fruit of their works is acquired for the good work, their labors, which have been acquired, will be of benefit to those who have begun to imitate good works by their example. The Lord, He says, is near. Be solicitous in nothing: that is, it is necessary to be prepared and to be vigilant in prayer and supplication, giving thanks to God, having set aside the solicitude of the world, hoping in and keeping in front of one's eyes what the Lord has promised, and for which reason He teaches that thanks should be given to Him; for as the Lord approaches, the solicitude of the world ceases. Why then are you anxious about things that will quickly perish? And by this, your requests, he says, should be made known to God. This knowledge is acquired through constant diligence and vigilant prayer. Only then will the defenses of His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts in Christ Jesus. He said this for the reason that one who has the peace of God does not fear any opposing thoughts; for anyone who loves God and is in Christ Jesus is secure in God's peace. For who does not fear him, whom he knows to be a friend of God?
(Vers. 8, 9.)
(Verse 8, 9.) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. In conclusion, whatever is left, he explains as an imitation of perfection, so that those things which not only do not fall into condemnation but are also worthy of praise, when contemplated and practiced, may have the peace of God, following the example of the Apostle. Our God is truly the God of peace, who, not asked, as if mighty, not fearful, as if weak, exhorts to peace, to such an extent that He even forgives sins committed against Himself; when He could indeed, with the terror of His manifest power, and the ineffable magnitude of His own, not force even the unwilling to peace, but to subjection. But this kind of peace is of the world, not of God, whose very nature is peace.
(Vers. 10.)
(Verse 10.) But I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that you have finally flourished again in this matter, so that you have concern for me, in which you were also aware; for you were occupied. Now he has shown an even greater zeal, because in the matter where they had become careless, they have acted with diligence and repeated their previous work, mindful of the example of their Apostle; to send their fruits to be stored with him in the heavenly storehouse, where neither moth nor rust destroy (Matthew 6:19).
(Vers. 11, 12, 13.)
(Verse 11, 12, 13.) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He does not rejoice in the work for his own sake, but declares himself satisfied primarily in their progress, with God's help, so that he may not be saddened by lack or rejoice excessively in abundance, knowing that abundance often leads to pride, while endured shortage acquires heavenly riches. However, their work shows kindness; it has benefited the needs of many.
(Vers. 15, 16, 17.)
(Vers. 15, 16, 17.) Now you, Philippian, also know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent aid for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Therefore, I mention this, so that when you hear it, you may remember and give praise for his work, and have no doubt that it is accepted by God, but rather, may you apply yourselves to the study of faith.
(Vers. 18.)
(Verse 18.) However, I have received everything and I abound; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that were sent from you, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. He does not mention in vain that it should be done, nor does he exhort from elsewhere, what he admits has been done; except that it seemed that it was done either more negligently or less abundantly, as it was accustomed to be done by them; so that, remembering their previous works, they would know that they have done less than they had begun. For even though he does not disapprove of the act, but rather signifies that those who were more devout in their works were present before this; nevertheless, it is pleasing and acceptable to God, as if it were a pleasing sacrifice. Finally, the Lord says: Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you (Luke 11:41). How pleasing, therefore, is the work, that it may cleanse every stain of man and every filth!
(Vers. 19.)
(Verse 19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Therefore he divided, saying: My God; that according to the things he bestowed by his merits, help would be present, and that their desires would be fulfilled in the abundance of his goodness in the glory of Christ Jesus. The glory of Christ Jesus is fulfilled, with the approval of God, when the desires of Christians are fulfilled according to the discipline of the gospel.
(Vers. 20.)
(Verse 20) But to God and our Father be glory forever and ever, amen. Here he does not make a distinction, but generally says: to God and our Father be glory. God is for the sake of fear, but the Father is for the sake of honor, and because from him is all origin; for he himself said through the prophet Malachi: If I am God, where is my fear? And if I am Father, where is my honor? (Malachi 1:6)
(Vers. 21.)
(Verse 21) Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Greet this one in Christ Jesus, who sanctifies himself; so that he may be worthy of Christ, who said: Be holy; for I am holy, the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:2).
(Vers. 22.)
(Verse 22) The brothers who are with me greet you. The greeting of brothers provides comfort to one another, as it shows the images of those who have been separated. All the saints greet you, especially those from Caesar's household. This indicates a more favorable affection towards those who are from Caesar's household and shows them to be more important than the aforementioned brothers, because he calls them both holy and preferred.
(Vers. 23.)
(Verse 23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, amen. Because questions arise regarding the person of the Savior, here he desires to confirm the solidity of his divinity in him and the guardianship of his grace to our spirit.