(Tap footnote to read it. Old Testament quotations are underlined. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.1"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings – agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. )
Stand Firm in the Lord
- So then my beloved and longed-for brothers – my joy and crown – stand firm in the Lord this way beloved.
- I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to have the same mind in the Lord.
- Yes, I also ask you my true colleague:1“colleague” is more literally “yokefellow”, which refers to people who are bound together (yoked together) in marriage, business, office, or other endeavor. This word is only used here in the Bible, and could possibly be a proper name. help reconcile these women who labored together in the gospel with me, and with Clement, and with the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!
- Let your gentle fairness2“gentle fairness” is one word in Greek. It refers to a sense of justice and fairness that isn’t strict in the sense of the letter of the law, but it conforms to the spirit of the law instead. Thus, it’s “gentle” in its application. be known by all men. The Lord is near.
- Be anxious about nothing; but let your requests be made known to God in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
- and the peace of God surpassing all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus the Anointed.
- Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is venerable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if anything is morally upright and if anything is praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
- What you also learned, and received, and heard, and saw in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you.
The Philippians’ Gift
- Now, I greatly rejoiced in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. And you were being concerned about that, but were lacking an opportunity to show it.
- Not that I speak from needful poverty, for I learned to be content3“content” is literally “self-sufficient”, in the sense of being internally self-sufficient by not allowing external forces to shake the internal disposition. in whatever situation I am in.
- I also have known how to be humble, and I have known how to overflow. In everything and in all things, I also have been instructed in the secret to be full and to hunger; and to overflow and to be in need;
- I have strength in all things through the One strengthening me.
- Nevertheless, you did well by having partnered in my affliction.
- And also, you Philippians *know that in the beginning of the gospel (when I departed from Macedonia) not one church partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
- For even in Thessalonica, both once and even twice you sent provisions for my need.
- Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit multiplying into your account.
- But I have all things and overflow. I have been filled, having welcomed from Epaphroditus the gifts from you: a sweet, fragrant smell; an acceptable sacrifice which is pleasing to God.
- And my God will supply everything you need according to His richness in glory through Jesus the Anointed.
- Now, to our God and Father be the glory through the ages of the ages,4“through the ages of the ages” is literal, often translated “forever and ever”. However, the traditional interpretation lacks the past element of a more literal translation. Further, the Greek word often translated “forever” here (αἰών, “aion”) literally means “age”, meaning a time span with a beginning and an end. It’s also used in Matthew 24:3 “what are the signs of your coming and the culmination (end) of the age?” Amen.
- Greet every saint in Jesus the Anointed. The brothers with me greet you.
- All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.
- The grace of the Anointed Lord Jesus be with your spirit. [Amen]
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