Stand Firm in the Lord
1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Think on These Things
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, 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. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15Now 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. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. {It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Rejoice in the Lord
1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, 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.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, 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 any praise, think about these things. 9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
The Generosity of the Philippians
(2 Corinthians 8:1–15)
10 But 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. 11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. 14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
15 You 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. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18 But 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. 19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Final Greetings
(Ephesians 6:21–24; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Rejoice in the Lord
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.
2 I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, a 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.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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. 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.
The Generosity of the Philippians
(2 Corinthians 8:1–15)
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. 11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. b
14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction. 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. 16 For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
17 Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account. 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.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
(Ephesians 6:21–24; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus.
The brothers who are with me send you greetings.
22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those from the household of Caesar.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. c
Footnotes:
3 a Or I ask you, loyal Syzygus
13 b NA, SBL, NE, and WH in the One who gives me strength. BYZ and TR in Christ who gives me strength.
23 c BYZ and TR include Amen.
Stand Firm in the Lord
1So then, my brethren, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand ye in the Lord, beloved.
2Euodia I exhort, and Syntyche I exhort, to be of the same mind in the Lord; 3and I ask also thee, genuine yoke-fellow, be assisting those women who in the good news did strive along with me, with Clement also, and the others, my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice; 5let your forbearance be known to all men; the Lord is near; 6for nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer, and by supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; 7and the peace of God, that is surpassing all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Think on These Things
8As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as are grave, as many as are righteous, as many as are pure, as many as are lovely, as many as are of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon; 9the things that also ye did learn, and receive, and hear, and saw in me, those do, and the God of the peace shall be with you.
Philippian Generosity
10And I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye flourished again in caring for me, for which also ye were caring, and lacked opportunity; 11not that in respect of want I say it, for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content; 12I have known both to be abased, and I have known to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. 13For all things I have strength, in Christ's strengthening me; 14but ye did well, having communicated with my tribulation;
15and ye have known, even ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news when I went forth from Macedonia, no assembly did communicate with me in regard to giving and receiving except ye only; 16because also in Thessalonica, both once and again to my need ye sent; 17not that I seek after the gift, but I seek after the fruit that is overflowing to your account; 18and I have all things, and abound; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you -- an odour of a sweet smell -- a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God: 19and my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus; 20and to God, even our Father, is the glory -- to the ages of the ages. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Salute ye every saint in Christ Jesus; there salute you the brethren with me; 22there salute you all the saints, and specially those of Caesar's house;
23the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you all. Amen.
The Favor of God paraphrase
Final Exhortations and Encouragements
¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 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.
Paul’s Gratitude for the Philippians’ Support
¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through Him who gives me strength!
¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. ²² All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Footnotes:
1.“Rejoice in the Lord always” (verse 4) underscores Paul’s emphasis on joy, despite his circumstances. He writes this letter from prison, yet his heart is full of joy in the Lord. The Greek verb chairo used here implies continual, habitual joy.
2.“The Lord is near” (verse 5) can refer to both Christ’s imminent return and His presence with believers through the Holy Spirit. Paul encourages the Philippians to live in a way that reflects this nearness.
3.“The peace of God” (verse 7) refers to a deep, transcendent peace that goes beyond human understanding. The Greek word eirene indicates a state of rest and wholeness, which comes from trusting in God, regardless of circumstances.
4.“Think about such things” (verse 8) calls believers to focus their minds on what is virtuous and praiseworthy. In a culture filled with distractions and corrupting influences, Paul exhorts them to cultivate a mindset rooted in truth and goodness.
5.“I have learned to be content” (verse 11) reflects Paul’s hard-earned experience of finding satisfaction and peace in God alone, regardless of external conditions. The Greek word autarkes denotes self-sufficiency, but Paul’s contentment comes from dependence on Christ.
6.“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (verse 13) is often cited as a verse of empowerment. However, Paul specifically refers to God’s strength enabling him to endure all circumstances, whether in abundance or in need.
7.“Fragrant offering” (verse 18) uses sacrificial imagery from the Old Testament. The gifts from the Philippians are described as a pleasing aroma to God, symbolizing their generosity and support of Paul’s ministry as an act of worship.
