[Philippians 4]

 

             ^4:1 So-then my brethren, beloved and longed-for, my joy and crown, so stand-firm^° in the Lord, my beloved.

 

             ^4:2 I am encouraging Euodia, and I am encouraging Syntyche, both to be mindful of the same thing in the Lord. ^4:3 Yes, I am also requesting you, genuine colleague, help them, the women, who contended together-with me in the good-news, also with Clement, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

 

             ^4:4 Rejoice^° in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice^°. ^4:5 Let your^° gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near. ^4:6 Be^° anxious in nothing, but in everything, let your^° requests be made known to God by the prayer and the supplication with thanksgiving. ^4:7 And the peace of God, which is superior to all perception, will be guarding your^° hearts and your^° minds in Christ Jesus.

 

             ^4:8 Furthermore brethren, as many things as are true^*, as many as are dignified, as many as are righteous, as many as are pure, as many as are lovely, as many as have good-repute; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, reason^° on these things. ^4:9 The things which you^° both learned and received and heard and saw in me, practice^° these things, and the God of peace will be with you^°.

 

             ^4:10 But I greatly rejoiced in the Lord, that already as previously, you^° revived again the desire to be mindful of things on my behalf; in which, you^° were even mindful of me, but you^° had no opportunity. ^4:11 Not that I am speaking according-to my lack of things; for^* I have learned in which things I am to be content. ^4:12 I know how to be also humbled; I also know how to also abound. I have been initiated in everything, and in all things, both to be fully-fed and to be hungry, both to abound and to lack. ^4:13 I am strong in all things in Christ the one empowering me.

 

             ^4:14 However you^° did^* well, and have shared together-with my affliction. ^4:15 Now you^° also know, you^° Philippians, that in the beginning of the good-news, when I went forth from Macedonia, no congregation^* shared with me in the account {i.e., matter} of giving and receiving, except you^° only. ^4:16 Because even in Thessalonica, you^° sent once and then twice to my need. ^4:17 Not that I am seeking after the present, but I am seeking after the fruit which increases to your^° account. ^4:18 But I fully have all things, and I am abounding. I have been filled and accepted from Epaphroditus the things which came from you^°, an aroma of a sweet-fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ^4:19 Now my God will be filling every need of yours^° according-to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ^4:20 Now to our God and Father is the glory forevermore. Amen.

 

             ^4:21 Greet^° every holy-one in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are together-with me greet you^°. ^4:22 All the holy-ones greet you^°, but especially the ones from the house of Caesar.

 

             ^4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is with all of you^°. Amen.

 

             {NOTES: Please read the Preface and other non-bible sections. * is our universal footnoting for words contained in the ‘Definitions’ section. These words are NOT the same Greek word as the non-asterisk form; i.e., *FOR is different from FOR* is different from FOR. ^° (degree sign) denotes plural forms.}

 

 

 

{{ Introduction to Colossians 62-64 AD

 

            The Colossians had a ‘pastor’ problem, a one-man self-righteous false teacher, most likely a Jewish Christian with ‘persuasive speech’ who wanted the congregation to follow his teachings and not the teachings of the Christ given to them by Paul. There are reasons, as shown here, why God did not establish a democracy or a dictatorship in the congregation, but multiple shepherds (overseers, elders, etc. Philippians 1:1, Tim. 3, Titus 1). An inspired description of this man, without naming him and strong rebuke in Chapter 2:8-23. In this there is a teaching that immersion cleaned away their sins, trespasses, and killed the Old Testament Law ‘has nailed it to the cross.’ He uses the same type of example here as he did in Rom 6. In Chapter 3, now that you have been raised up from the dead do away with old sinful things and replace them with holy things. Do all in the name of Jesus. In Christian terms do only what is authorized. He also had a short encouragement to the married, children, bondservants (workers), and employers; some simple instruction to them and the plans to send others in his place to continue to help them grow.

            We can learn a valuable lesson from this letter to never exalt or follow any man, as well as how to live as a Christian. Hero worship has no place with Christians.}}