New Testament · Letter

Philippians 4

The Peace That Guards

Paul writes from a prison cell about joy. His prescription for anxiety: bring everything to God, and a peace beyond understanding will guard your heart.

King James Version BSB KJV

Tap any verse number for what that verse means.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Understand This

Philippians 4, explained

What Philippians 4 is saying

Paul addresses a specific conflict between Euodia and Syntyche, women who labored alongside him in the gospel, urging reconciliation. He then delivers his famous exhortation to rejoice always, presenting prayer with thanksgiving as the antidote to anxiety, which produces the ‘peace of God’ (eirene tou theou) that surpasses rational comprehension. His contentment declaration—‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’—is framed not as triumphalism but as autarkeia (self-sufficiency) learned through deprivation and abundance alike. He closes with gratitude for the Philippians’ generous financial partnership.

The background behind it

The mention of Euodia and Syntyche confirms women’s active leadership roles in the Pauline churches. Paul’s language of giving and receiving uses Greco-Roman financial terminology, framing the Philippians’ gift as a sacrificial offering (osmē euōdias, a fragrant aroma) acceptable to God.

Themes running underneath

Christian contentment (autarkeia) is distinguished from Stoic self-sufficiency: it depends not on internal discipline alone but on the empowering Christ. The integration of prayer, cognitive discipline (the virtue list of v. 8), and communal generosity presents a holistic vision of the flourishing life.

Why it still matters

The oft-quoted verse 13 gains proper meaning only in context—it speaks to contentment across all circumstances, not the power to accomplish any personal ambition. This reframing challenges popular misappropriations of the text.

This is one chapter. BibleKey does all 1,189.

Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.

Get BibleKey

All 4 chapters of Philippians · Every book of the Bible · Browse by topic

Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.