PHP 4:1-9

Rejoice in the Lord

1So then, my brothers — beloved and longed for, my joy and crown — stand firm thus in the Lord, beloved.

2Euodia I urge and Syntyche I urge to be of the same mind in the Lord.

3Yes, I ask you also, true yokefellow, assist these women who contended alongside me in the gospel, with Clement also and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say: rejoice.

5Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever righteous, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever well-spoken-of — if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — reckon on these things.

9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

In the world it was spoken into

In Philippi, a Roman colony, the audience would have understood Paul’s exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche to 'be of the same mind in the Lord' within the framework of Greco-Roman civic harmony (homonoia). Public disputes among prominent women, who often held significant roles in household and community leadership, could disrupt the social fabric. Paul’s appeal to a 'true yokefellow' to mediate reflects the cultural expectation of resolving conflicts through trusted intermediaries, a common practice in Roman patronage networks. The call to gentleness would resonate in a society valuing moderation and reasonableness, particularly in public conduct. Paul’s assurance that 'the Lord is near' would evoke both eschatological hope and the Roman imperial ideology of the emperor’s presence as a source of security. His command to 'rejoice always' and 'not worry' contrasts with Stoic ideals of emotional detachment, emphasizing instead a trust in divine provision through prayer and supplication, rooted in Jewish piety.

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How other translations render this

PHP 4:1

KJV: Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
BSB: Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Koinōnos: So then, my brothers — beloved and longed for, my joy and crown — stand firm thus in the Lord, beloved.

PHP 4:2

KJV: I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
BSB: I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
Koinōnos: Euodia I urge and Syntyche I urge to be of the same mind in the Lord.

PHP 4:3

KJV: 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.
BSB: Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Koinōnos: Yes, I ask you also, true yokefellow, assist these women who contended alongside me in the gospel, with Clement also and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

PHP 4:4

KJV: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
BSB: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Koinōnos: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say: rejoice.

PHP 4:5

KJV: Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
BSB: Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
Koinōnos: Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near.

PHP 4:6

KJV: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
BSB: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Koinōnos: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

PHP 4:7

KJV: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
BSB: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Koinōnos: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

PHP 4:8

KJV: 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.
BSB: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Koinōnos: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever righteous, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever well-spoken-of — if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — reckon on these things.

PHP 4:9

KJV: 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.
BSB: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Koinōnos: The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

PHP 4:2

to be of mind:The word translated 'to be of mind' refers to having a particular mindset or attitude, indicating a shared purpose and unity in thought and outlook.

PHP 4:3

yokefellow:The term 'yokefellow' suggests someone bound together with another, often in shared labor or marriage, implying a close partnership and mutual responsibility.

PHP 4:5

gentleness:The word translated 'gentleness' carried a sense of fairness, reasonableness, and appropriateness, often implying a willingness to yield or be considerate rather than strictly insisting on one's rights.

PHP 4:7

will guard:The word translated 'will guard' implies a military watch or a protective garrison, suggesting a strong, active defense and preservation.