Philippians 4
Rejoice, don't worry, and "I can do all things"
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul urges two women in the church to agree, and tells the church to rejoice always and to bring every worry to God with thanks, so God's peace will guard their hearts. He thanks them for their gift and says he has learned to be content in any situation, because he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength. He ends with greetings and grace.
Where it is in the Bible: Philippians 4
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Stand Firm, and Help Them Agree | 4:1-3 | Stand firm, and two women are asked to agree |
| 2. Rejoice, and Don't Worry | 4:4-9 | Bring every worry to God, and his peace will guard you |
| 3. Content in Every Situation | 4:10-20 | Paul thanks them and says Christ gives him strength |
| 4. Final Greetings | 4:21-23 | Greetings, and grace |
Before You Read
Where we are. This is part 4, the last part of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. Paul is in chains, waiting for a trial that could end in his death (1:13, 1:20).
What came before. In chapter 3, Paul said everything he once was proud of is loss next to knowing Christ. He is pressing on toward the goal, and he reminded them that their true home is in heaven (3:20).
Why he wrote. The church sent Paul a gift by Epaphroditus (4:18). In this chapter, Paul finally thanks them for it.
How to read it. This chapter holds some of the best-known lines in the Bible: "Rejoice in the Lord always," "Be anxious for nothing," and "I can do all things." Remember that a man in chains wrote them.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4Stand Firm, and Help Them Agree
Chapter 4 opens with "Therefore" (4:1). It points back to the end of chapter 3. Their true home is in heaven, and Jesus is coming. So, Paul says, stand firm in the Lord.
He calls them the people he loves and longs to see, "my joy and crown" (4:1). A crown here is like a winner's prize.
Now Paul names two women, Euodia and Syntyche. He urges them "to agree with each other in the Lord" (4:2).
The Bible doesn't say what they disagreed about. But remember what Paul does say. These women "labored with me for the gospel" (4:3). They worked beside Paul. One likely meaning: they were leaders in the church.
Paul doesn't take a side. He asks a trusted friend to help them. He calls this friend his "true yokefellow" (4:3). A yoke joined two animals so they could pull together.
Their names, and the names of Clement and Paul's other coworkers, are in "the Book of Life" (4:3). This is a picture of God's list of everyone who belongs to him.
Section 2 of 4Rejoice, and Don't Worry
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (4:4).
Let everyone see how gentle you are. "The Lord is near" (4:5).
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (4:6). A petition is a request.
Notice what Paul says to do with worry. He doesn't say to push it down or hide it. He says to bring it to God, with thanks.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (4:7).
"Guard" is a soldier's word. Remember, Paul is under Roman guard as he writes. God's peace stands guard over his people.
"Finally" again, Paul says. Think about whatever is true, honorable, and right. Think about whatever is pure, lovely, and admirable. If anything is excellent or worth praise, "think on these things" (4:8).
Whatever they learned from Paul, or saw him do, they should put into practice. "And the God of peace will be with you" (4:9).
Section 3 of 4Content in Every Situation
Now Paul thanks them for their gift. He rejoices in the Lord that they have shown their care for him again. They always cared, he says. They just didn't have a chance to show it.
Paul isn't saying this because he is in need. "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances" (4:11). Content means at peace with what you have.
He knows how to live with little, and he knows how to live with plenty. He has been full, and he has been hungry. He has had more than enough, and he has gone without.
Then: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (4:13).
Here, "all things" means all the situations he just listed: hungry or full, having plenty or having nothing. Christ gives him strength to face any of them, even chains.
Still, Paul says, it was good of them to share in his troubles.
He remembers the early days. When he left their region, their church was the only one that shared in giving to his work. Even when he was in the city of Thessalonica, they sent help again and again.
Paul isn't looking for a gift, he says. He is looking for what their giving does for them. He calls it "fruit that may be credited to your account" (4:17). This is a picture from keeping money records. Their giving is like a deposit God remembers.
Paul now has more than enough, because of what Epaphroditus brought. Their gift is "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God" (4:18). This is a comparison. Their gift to Paul was a gift to God.
"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (4:19). They met Paul's needs. God will meet theirs.
Then Paul praises God. "To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen" (4:20).
Section 4 of 4Final Greetings
Paul sends greetings to every believer there. The believers with him send greetings too.
All God's people where Paul is send greetings, "especially those from the household of Caesar" (4:22).
Caesar was the Roman emperor. His household included the servants and workers of his government. Even there, some people had come to believe in Jesus.
Paul ends the letter the way he began it, with grace: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" (4:23).
The letter began with grace (1:2) and ends with grace. The joy, the peace, and the strength in between all come from it.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "My joy and crown" (4:1) | The church is Paul's joy, and like a winner's prize to him. |
| "True yokefellow" (4:3) | A trusted partner. A yoke joined two animals so they could pull together. |
| "The Book of Life" (4:3) | A picture of God's list of everyone who belongs to him. |
| "The Lord is near" (4:5) | Jesus is close, and he is coming. |
| "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (4:7) | A peace from God that goes deeper than we can explain. |
| "I can do all things through Christ" (4:13) | Christ gives Paul strength for any situation, hungry or full, in need or with plenty. |
| "A fragrant offering" (4:18) | This is a comparison. Their gift to Paul was a gift to God, and it pleased him. |
| "The household of Caesar" (4:22) | People who served the Roman emperor. Some of them now believed in Jesus. |
Back Then
Paul's first visit. When Paul first came to Philippi, a businesswoman named Lydia opened her home to him (Acts 16:14-15). Paul and Silas were later beaten and jailed there (Acts 16:22-24). This church had known Paul, and his chains, from the start. Read it as a story in Paul and Silas in Prison.
Thessalonica. After Paul left Philippi, he went on to the city of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). The Philippians sent him help there more than once (4:16).
Caesar's household. This means people in the service of the Roman emperor, often servants and officials, not only his family. (Easton's Bible Dictionary, "Caesar's household")
Literal Reader Alert
Does "Be anxious for nothing" mean worry is a sin? No. Paul is inviting them to bring their worries to God. He isn't scolding them. Paul himself says he'll be "less anxious" once Epaphroditus is home (2:28), and he speaks of "sorrow upon sorrow" (2:27). Anxiety that won't go away can also need a doctor or counselor. Getting help is not a lack of faith.
Does "My God will supply all your needs" mean I'll never be poor? No. Paul had just said he knows what it's like to be hungry and in need (4:12). The promise is that God will care for his people, not that life will always be comfortable.
Is Paul asking for money? No. He says, "Not that I am seeking a gift" (4:17). He is thanking them, and telling them what their giving means to God.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Euodia and Syntyche | At odds | Paul urges them "to agree with each other in the Lord" (4:2) |
| Paul | Joyful | "I rejoice greatly in the Lord" (4:10) |
| Paul | Content | "I have learned to be content" (4:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What are you carrying today? Tap one.
I'm worried
Paul says to bring it to God, with thanks, and God's peace will stand guard over your heart (4:6-7). Paul felt anxious too (2:28). You aren't failing.
I'm in a conflict with someone
Paul didn't take sides with Euodia and Syntyche. He asked them to agree in the Lord, and he asked a friend to help (4:2-3). Maybe you need a helper too.
I don't have enough
Paul knew hunger and need too (4:12). "My God will supply all your needs" (4:19).
I'm thankful
Tell God, and maybe tell the people involved too. Paul's thank-you note is part of the Bible.
It's really bad right now
Please tell someone you trust today. In the U.S., call or text 988. If you are in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Outside the U.S., findahelpline.com lists free helplines.
You Might Have Heard
"Philippians 4:13 means I can do anything I set my mind to, like win the big game."
What's true: Christ really does give strength. And God cares about everything you do, games included.
What the passage is mainly about: Paul is in chains. The verse right before says he has learned to be content hungry or full, with plenty or in need (4:12). "All things" means facing any situation, even losing, even prison, with Christ's strength.
Where Jesus is: Jesus is the strength. He went through need, and even death on a cross (2:8). He is with you in whatever you're facing.
Good News
Paul was in chains when he wrote, "Rejoice." His joy didn't come from things being fine. It came from the Lord, who is near (4:4-5).
You can bring God everything, every worry, every need. And his peace will stand guard over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (4:7). Then the God of peace himself is with you (4:9).
The letter began with grace, and it ends with grace: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" (4:23).
The Lord is near. He hears every worry, guards you with his peace, and gives you strength for whatever comes.
Big Idea
The Lord is near, and he guards his people with his peace and gives them strength for any situation.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism (1529), Luther explains the prayer for daily bread. God gives daily bread even without our prayer, he says. But we pray so that God will lead us to see this and to receive our daily bread with thanks. That fits Paul's words: bring your requests to God "with thanksgiving" (4:6).
In Church
Many churches follow a reading plan called the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Philippians 4:4-7 on the Third Sunday of Advent in Year C. It reads Philippians 4:1-9 on a Sunday in the fall of Year A, and Philippians 4:4-9 on Thanksgiving Day in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
How did that feel?