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4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

4:3 And 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.

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

4:8 Finally, 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.

4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

4:10 But 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.

4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

4:12 I 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.

4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

4:15 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.

4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

4:18 But 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.

4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

4:21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.



Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Philippians
Book: Philippians
Chapter: 4

Overview:
The Apostle exhorts the Philippians to stand Fast in the Lord.
(1) Gives directions to some, and to all in general. (2-9)
Expresses Contentment in every condition of Life. (10-19) He
concludes with Prayer to God the Father, and his usual blessing.
(20-23)

1 The believing Hope and prospect of eternal Life, should make
us steady and constant in our Christian course. There is
difference of Gifts and graces, yet, being renewed By the same
Spirit, we are brethren. To stand Fast in the Lord, is to stand
Fast in his strength, and By his Grace.

2-9 Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other.
As the Apostle had found the benefit of their assistance, he
knew how comfortable it would be to his fellow-labourers to have
the help of others. Let us seek to give Assurance that our names
are written in the Book of Life. Joy in God is of great
consequence in the Christian Life; and Christians need to be
again and again called to it. It more than outweighs all causes
for sorrow. Let their enemies perceive how moderate they were as
to outward things, and how composedly they suffered loss and
hardships. The Day of Judgment will soon arrive, with full
Redemption to believers, and Destruction to ungodly men. There
is a care of diligence which is our duty, and agrees with a Wise
forecast and due concern; but there is a care of fear and
distrust, which is Sin and folly, and only perplexes and
distracts the mind. As a remedy against perplexing care,
constant Prayer is recommended. Not only stated times for
Prayer, but in every thing By Prayer. We must join thanksgivings
with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good,
but own the mercies we have received. God needs not to be told
our wants or desires; he knows them better than we do; but he
will have us show that we value the Mercy, and feel our
dependence On him. The peace of God, the comfortable sense of
being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and
the Hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than
can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under
troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with
inward satisfaction. Believers are to get and to keep a good
name; a name for good things with God and good men. We should
walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; then, whether
our praise is of men or not, it will be of God. The Apostle is
for an Example. His doctrine and Life agreed together. The way
to have the God of peace with us, is to keep close to our duty.
All our privileges and Salvation arise in the free Mercy of God;
yet the enjoyment of them depends On our sincere and holy
conduct. These are Works of God, pertaining to God, and to him
only are they to be ascribed, and to No other, neither men,
words, nor deeds.

10-19 It is a good work to succour and help a good Minister in
trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to
feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what
we can to help them. The Apostle was often in bonds,
imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be
content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best
of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have
not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men
discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray
for patient submission and Hope when we are abased; for Humility
and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special Grace to have
an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose
our comfort in God, nor distrust his Providence, nor take any
wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not
to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than
the other; for the temptations of Fulness and prosperity are
more than those of affliction and want. The Apostle had No
design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness
as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have
Grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the
reward; and as we have all things By him, let us do all things
for him, and to his Glory.

20-23 The Apostle ends with praises to God. We should look upon
God, under all our weakness and fears, not as an enemy, but as a
Father, disposed to pity us and help us. We must give Glory to
God as a Father. God's Grace and favour, which reconciled souls
enjoy, with the whole of the graces in us, which flow from it,
are all purchased for us By Christ's merit, and applied By his
pleading for us; and therefore are justly called the Grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ.

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