Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Philippians
Chapter 4: The Peace of God
Philippians 4 brings Paul's letter of joy to its radiant close. He urges two disagreeing believers to be 'of the same mind in the Lord,' and calls the whole church to a settled gladness: 'Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.' Against anxiety he sets prayer: 'Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,' with a matchless promise, 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' He directs the mind toward 'whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely.' He testifies of a hard-won contentment, 'I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,' resting in the strength of Christ: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' He thanks the Philippians for their gift, promises that 'my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,' and closes in grace. This chapter shows us joy, peace, contentment, and provision, all found in the Lord.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Philippians chapter 4, the final chapter of the epistle. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here Paul calls the church to rejoice, to pray instead of worry, to think on what is good, and to rest content in the strength of Christ, closing with thanks and grace. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Rejoice in the Lord Alway
A settled gladness that circumstances cannot touch.
Which Passeth Understanding
Prayer instead of anxiety, and God's guarding peace.
In Whatsoever State
Content in plenty or want, strong in Christ.
My God Shall Supply
All your need according to His riches in glory.
The Peace of God Shall Keep Your Hearts (Philippians 4:1-9)
Paul calls for unity and unshakable joy, replaces anxiety with prayer, and points the mind toward all that is true and lovely.
The Peace of God, Which Passeth All Understanding
"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 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. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. 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."
Word Study
"shall keep," Greek phroureo (φρουρέω). The word is a military term meaning to guard, to stand sentry, to garrison a city with soldiers; it pictures a protecting force posted at the gate. "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Paul has just told anxious believers what to do with their worries: not to carry them, but to hand them to God, "in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving." And here is the promise that follows: God's own peace will mount guard over the heart. The word does not say the peace of God will explain everything or remove every trouble; it says it will garrison the soul, standing sentinel over "your hearts and minds" like an armed watch over a besieged city, keeping the anxious thoughts out and the trusting heart secure. And this peace "passeth all understanding", it makes no sense to the watching world, for it stands firm when circumstances give no reason for calm. It comes not from figuring things out but from God Himself, and it guards us "through Christ Jesus." So the believer who prays instead of frets finds a supernatural peace posted at the door of the heart, holding the line no matter what presses against the walls.
Explanation
The letter's joy turns intensely practical. Paul names two quarreling women, Euodias and Syntyche, and pleads with them to "be of the same mind in the Lord" — unity is worth naming names. Then come the famous commands: "Rejoice in the Lord alway," "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer... let your requests be made known unto God," and the promise that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts." Anxiety is answered not by trying harder but by praying. And the renewed mind is to be filled deliberately: "whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... think on these things."
Gospel Focus
Paul draws his beloved church toward the finish with tender words, "my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown," and a first practical concern: unity. Two women, "Euodias" and "Syntyche," faithful laborers in the gospel, had fallen into disagreement, and Paul pleads that they "be of the same mind in the Lord," asking a "true yokefellow" to help reconcile them. Then comes the keynote of the whole letter: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." This joy is not in circumstances, which for Paul meant prison, but "in the Lord," and so it can be commanded "alway." "Let your moderation be known unto all men," a gentle, gracious forbearance, "for the Lord is at hand." Then Paul gives the great antidote to anxiety: "Be careful for nothing", be anxious about nothing, "but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Worry is to be turned, item by item, into prayer, and prayer offered "with thanksgiving," trusting the God who hears. The promise is glorious: "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." A peace beyond explanation stands guard over the praying heart. Then Paul turns to the mind: what we dwell on shapes us, so we are to fill our thoughts with "whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... of good report", with virtue and praise. And thought must become practice: "those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do." Where the "peace of God" guards the heart of the one who prays, "the God of peace" Himself walks with the one who obeys. Joy in the Lord, peace through prayer, a mind fixed on what is good, and a life of obedience, this is the Spirit-filled walk, and it rests wholly on the Lord who is near.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ (Philippians 4:10-23)
Paul testifies of learned contentment and Christ's strengthening, thanks the Philippians for their gift, and closes in the grace of the Lord Jesus.
My God Shall Supply All Your Need
"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. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 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. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 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. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Word Study
"content," Greek autarkes (αὐτάρκης). The word means self-sufficient, needing nothing from outside, satisfied with what one has. In the philosophy of Paul's day it named a proud independence, the man who claimed to need nothing and no one. Paul seizes the word but transforms it. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." His contentment is not the cold self-reliance of the philosopher; it is a learned satisfaction that rests not in himself but in Christ. Notice he says he "learned" it, and learned it in the hard school of "whatsoever state", "abased" and "abound," "full" and "hungry," "to abound and to suffer need." Contentment is not a temperament some are born with; it is a lesson taught by God through the ups and downs of life. And its secret is disclosed in the very next verse: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The apostle is not self-sufficient at all; he is Christ-sufficient. The independence the world sought in itself, Paul found in his Lord: a heart so anchored in Christ that it can be full or empty, honored or abased, and remain at rest. True contentment is not having everything, but having Christ, and finding Him enough in every state.
Explanation
Paul thanks the Philippians for their gift, but not before making clear where his sufficiency lies: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Contentment is not natural but learned, in both abundance and want, and its secret is a Person: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." He receives their generosity as "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable" to God, and answers it with a promise as wide as God's riches: "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The self-sufficient apostle points them to the all-sufficient God.
Gospel Focus
Paul closes by thanking the Philippians for their gift, and does so with rare grace. He "rejoiced in the Lord greatly" that "your care of me hath flourished again", they had renewed their support, sent through Epaphroditus. But he is quick to guard his motive: "not that I speak in respect of want," as though he were begging. For he has learned a deep secret: "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." He knows "how to be abased" and "how to abound," how "to be full and to be hungry", and through it all he is at peace. Then comes one of the most beloved verses in all of Scripture, and it must be read in its setting: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul is not claiming limitless ability to achieve whatever he wishes; he is testifying that in every circumstance, plenty or poverty, Christ supplies the strength to endure and be content. The strength is not his own but Christ's, poured into him. Still, he warmly commends their generosity: "ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction," recalling how, from "the beginning of the gospel," they alone had partnered with him "as concerning giving and receiving." His joy is not in the gift itself but in what it means for them: "I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Their gift is worship, "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." And to the givers Paul makes a promise as wide as God's wealth: "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Those who give to God's work will never out-give their God, who supplies "according to his riches", not merely out of them. So the letter of joy ends where it should, in glory to God, "now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen," in greetings among the saints, even reaching "them that are of Caesar's household," and in the grace that carries it all: "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Joy, peace, contentment, provision, and grace, every one of them found in the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour.
Chapter 4 in Review
Philippians 4 crowns the letter of joy. Paul urges disagreeing believers to "be of the same mind in the Lord," and sounds the keynote once more: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Against worry he sets prayer, "be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God," with the promise that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." He turns the mind toward "whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely." He testifies of a learned contentment, "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," resting in the strength of Christ, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." He thanks the Philippians for their gift, promises that "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," and ends in glory to God and "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."
For the Apostolic reader this closing chapter gathers up the fruit of the whole gospel and lays it in the believer's hands: joy that rests "in the Lord" and so cannot be stolen; peace that comes not from understanding but from prayer, and stands sentry over the heart "through Christ Jesus"; contentment learned in the school of plenty and want, whose secret is "Christ which strengtheneth me"; and provision from a God who supplies "according to his riches in glory." Every one of these gifts is found not in circumstances, not in self, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God our Saviour. So rejoice always, pray about everything, think on what is good, learn contentment in Christ, give generously to His work, and rest in His grace, for the peace of God will guard you, and the God of peace will be with you.
- "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (4:4).
- Turn anxiety into prayer "with thanksgiving," and God's peace will guard your heart (4:6-7).
- Fill the mind with "whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely" (4:8).
- Contentment is learned "in whatsoever state," resting in Christ's strength (4:11-13).
- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (4:13).
- "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (4:19).
Questions for Reflection
- Is your joy anchored "in the Lord," where circumstances cannot reach it?
- Do you carry your worries, or turn them "by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" over to God?
- What are you filling your mind with, and does it pass the test of verse 8?
- Have you learned that your sufficiency is not in yourself but in "Christ which strengtheneth me"?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. Unity, joy, and the peace of God through prayer: Philippians 4:1-7; John 16:33; Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 5:7. Thinking on what is good; the God of peace: Philippians 4:8-9; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:2. Learned contentment and strength in Christ: Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. God's supply and the closing grace: Philippians 4:14-23; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- Rejoice always; peace of God through prayer: Philippians 4:1-7; Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 5:7.
- Think on these things; the God of peace: Philippians 4:8-9; Romans 12:2.
- Contentment and strength in Christ: Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-8.
- My God shall supply all your need; the grace of the Lord Jesus: Philippians 4:14-23; 2 Corinthians 9:8.