The Secret of Contentment & My Thanks For Your Support
In conclusion4, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don’t mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it. And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles. You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me—and it has been more than enough! I have all I need now that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. Greetings to each one of God’s people who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers here with me send you their greetings. All God’s people here send greetings, especially those who belong to the Emperor’s palace. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Phil 4:8-23
Those of you who are regular Gem readers and who follow each Gem will remember this segment from Gem 1960, where I sectioned Philippians Chapter 4 into segments according to Paul’s markers. Now we are left with the final segment of his letter to the saints in Philippi. I commented in Gem 1959 about splitters and joiners and gave you an extensive summary of the way many published Bibles have divided Paul’s letter to the Philippians in different ways over the years.
When we come to the remainder of Philippians Four you can see from the tables in Gem 1959 that there are variations as to how to divide the chapter.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:1-9 | Think Of Excellence |
Phil 4:10-23 | God’s Provision |
New International Version (NIV)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:2-9 | Exhortations |
Phil 4:10-20 | Thanks For The Gifts |
Phil 4:21-23 | Final Greetings |
New Living Translation 1 (NLT)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:1 | [This verse is left hanging] |
Phil 4:2-9 | Exhortation, Encouragement, Prayer |
Phil 4:10-20 | God’s Provision |
Phil 4:21-23 | Final Close |
New Living Translation 2 (NLT)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:2-9 | Paul’s Final Thoughts |
Phil 4:10-20 | Paul’s Thanks For Their Gifts |
Phil 4:21-23 | Paul’s Final Greetings |
Today’s English Version (TEV)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:1-9 | Instructions |
Phil 4:10-20 | Thanks For The Gift |
Phil 4:21-23 | Final Greetings |
The Message (MSG)
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:2-10 | Pray About Everything |
Phil 4:11-23 | Content Whatever The Circumstances |
J B Phillips’ Translation
Verse References | Title |
---|---|
Phil 4:2-9 | Be United, Joyful And At Peace |
Phil 4:10-20 | The Memory of Your Generosity Brings Joy |
Phil 4:21-23 | Farewell Messages |
You can see in the tables above I have pruned the original tables to include the divisions of Philippians 4 only. Verse 4:1 does not appear in some of the tables above. The reason for that is the translators or the publishers have decided 4:1 belongs at the end of final segment of Chapter 3. It all depends on where they made the cut for sectioning the continuous text stream. I have given you what I believe to be the divisions according to Paul’s section markers – the concluding particles and the references to friends.
- Τὸ λοιπόν:- In conclusion, finally, for the rest, and now, now then, so then, it remains, for the rest, that’s about it, whatever happens, Dear friends
- Συμμιμηταί μου:- Imitate me, follow me. follow my example, stick with me, be like me, pattern your lives after me, imitate my walk with God, Dear friends
- Ωστε:- Therefore, so, so then, so that, so as, wherefore, Dear friends
- Τὸ λοιπόν:- In conclusion, finally, for the rest, summing it all up, and now one final thing, Dear friends
On the basis of all of the above I have divided the remaining portion of Robert Estienne’s Chapter Four as follows:
The Secret of Contentment
In conclusion4, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. I don’t mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it. And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.
Phil 4:8-13
My Thanks For Your Support
But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles. You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me—and it has been more than enough! I have all I need now that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. Greetings to each one of God’s people who belong to Christ Jesus. The believers here with me send you their greetings. All God’s people here send greetings, especially those who belong to the Emperor’s palace. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Phil 4:14-23
I have further split Paul’s final segment into two based on the principle of splitters or joiners. There are two distinct topics left in Paul’s closing comments. So I have split the block into two. It could be further divided to separate the closing comments at the end, but I chose to be a joiner in that case rather than a splitter.
We will investigate them in these two sections. Take the time now to look at what I have given you and my reasons. Read them through and make your comments, ask your questions or feel free to challenge my reasoning if you wish. But more importantly, read over these two segments a number of times in order to let Paul’s words, recorded in this letter close to 2,000 years ago, sink in. [Any document handed down and faithfully translated over and over for 2,000 years must have good things to say.] Let his final words wash over you and try to gain a sense of the flow of his thoughts. Notice what he begins with immediately after the break.
We have seen in what we have covered so far that Paul has given us some wonderful insights. There are still some great insights to come. Take your time to find what stands out to you and ponder them in the light of what we have discovered already in this letter. I will begin to look in detail at the first of these two remaining segments in the next Gem. In the interim, take some time to ponder what Paul has written in this next segment – The Secret of Contentment. You might find the secret of contentment for yourself.
contentment is something that comes from faith, fulfillment and trust in Jesus Christ.