1My brothers and sisters, in this way remain strong in the Lord. I love you and long for you. Dear friends, you are my joy and my crown.2Here is what I’m asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I’m asking them to work together in the Lord. That’s because they both belong to the Lord.3My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help these women, because they have served at my side. They have worked with me to spread the good news. So have Clement and the rest of those who have worked together with me. Their names are all written in the book of life.
Final commands
4Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!5Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon.6Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him.7Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.8Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.9Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.
Paul gives thanks for the Philippians’ gifts
10At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you were concerned. But you had no chance to show it.11I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.12I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.13I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.14But it was good of you to share in my troubles.15And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news.16Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. And you did it more than once.17It is not that I want your gifts. What I really want is what is best for you.18I have received my full pay and have more than enough. I have everything I need. That’s because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet-smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it.19My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.20Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever. Amen.
Final greetings
21Greet all God’s people. They belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.22All God’s people here send you greetings. Most of all, those who live in the palace of Caesar send you greetings.23May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. (Php 2:2)3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[2] help these women, who have labored[3] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Lu 10:20)4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Php 3:1)5Let your reasonableness[4] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; (Jas 5:8)6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Pr 16:3; Mt 6:25; Ro 1:8)7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Isa 26:3; Joh 14:27; Eph 3:19; Php 4:9; Col 3:15)8Finally, 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.9What you have learned[5] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Ro 15:33; Php 3:17; Php 4:7; 1Th 4:1)
God’s Provision
10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. (2Co 11:9; Php 2:30)11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (2Co 9:8; 1Ti 6:6; 1Ti 6:8; Heb 13:5)12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (1Co 4:11; 2Co 11:9; 2Co 11:27)13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (2Co 12:9; Eph 3:16; 1Ti 1:12)14Yet it was kind of you to share[6] my trouble. (Php 1:7; Re 1:9)15And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. (2Co 11:8; Php 1:5)16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.[7] (Ro 1:13; 2Co 9:5; Tit 3:14)18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Ge 8:21; Php 2:25; Heb 13:16)19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Ps 23:1; Ro 2:4; 2Co 9:8)20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Ro 11:36; Ga 1:4; Ga 1:5; 1Th 1:3; 1Th 3:11; 1Th 3:13)
Final Greetings
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. (Ga 1:2)22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. (2Co 13:13)23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Ro 16:20)