Philippians 4:11

Majority Text:
οὐχ ὅτι καθ' ὑστέρησιν λέγω ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι

KJV:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Comments:
Not that I speak in respect of want: Paul distinguishes between the good done by the Philippians and the need experienced by him. That is, the rightness of what believers do is not defined by the state or quality of the recipient of their action, but presumably by the motivation of it. That distinction has huge ethical implications. For instance, believers have an obligation to provide forgiveness, although the recipient of the forgiveness by definition does not have a right to it. Similarly, Christian benevolence cannot be overcome by the occasional or even common malevolence of the needy.

content: Paul’s contentment corresponds with serenity, the highest goal of the then extremely popular Epicurean philosophers. For them, finding serenity was all about moderating desire so that want was never an issue. Here, for Paul, contentment comes not only because he eschews excessive desire, but also because he is satisfied by the one thing he always has as a Christian, Christ. The next two verses make it obvious that Christ is the source of contentment for Paul, which also explains why the joy of verse four is in the Lord.

Expanded Paraphrase:
I am not rejoicing simply because my needs have been met. No, as a disciple I have learned that satisfaction and contentment are mine regardless of my material circumstance.

Philippians 4:10

Majority Text:
ἐχάρην δὲ ἐν κυρίῳ μεγάλως ὅτι ἤδη ποτὲ ἀνεθάλετε τὸ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ φρονεῖν ἐφ' ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ

KJV:
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.

Comments:
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly: Paul’s joy is in the Lord as a result of the Philippians’ actions, just as his thanks was to the Lord on account of the Philippians’ faithfulness in chapter 1:3-5.

wherein ye were also careful: The first line of the verse has Paul rejoicing because the Philippians have met his material needs in prison. But he wants them to know that he is aware they were thinking of him all along—they just did not have the occasion to meet his needs in this manner. The point is that what believers do materially is only an expression of what is (or was) already true in their hearts. The teaching matches both Matthew 12:34 and a precise reading of John 15:13 (in which the greatest love has a purpose which may result in a man laying down his life for his friends—not, as is often supposed, that the greatest love is equivalent to laying down that life).

Expanded Paraphrase:
As I see your benevolence toward me recently refreshed, my peace and confidence in the Lord is also recently refreshed. Of course, I know you were always caring and thinking about me. But then you had no occasion to demonstrate it as you have now, with this generous provision of things I needed.

Philippians 4:9

Majority Text:
ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί ταῦτα πράσσετε καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν

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.

Comments:
both learned, and received, and heard, and seen: Using "kai" repeatedly between terms as it is in this verse gives the force of "not only, but also" included in the KJV as "both". The point is that as the list progresses, it is accumulating force. Learning and receiving from Paul are important, but as he intends it here, not nearly as important as hearing and seeing in him the things earlier learned and received. Paul is demonstrating the kind of leadership valued in Hebrews 13:7.

and the God of peace shall be with you: Of course, since the Philippians received this letter from an imprisoned man, it makes sense that Paul would remind them that if they follow his testimony, even into material loss, they will still have what gives him satisfaction, which is the point to which he turns in the following verses.

Expanded Paraphrase:
You learned from me how you ought to think and live. And you embraced what I taught you. But you have also heard the testimony of my life, and have seen the fact that I practice what I have taught you. You practice it too. And as you make that commitment, remember as well that the same God who has given me purpose and peace even in my incarceration will be with you as well.

Philippians 4:8

Majority Text:
Το λοιπόν, αδελφοί, ὅσα εστιν αληθη, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα αγνά, ὅσα προσφιλη, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις αρετη και εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταυτα λογίζεσθε·

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.

Comments:
true…honest…just…pure…lovely…good report: Paul uses a similar (but not identical) list mingled with some contrasting characteristics in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. The first four terms are fairly common in the New Testament. "Honest" is from the word sometimes translated "grave." "Lovely" only shows up in this passage (conveying something like "desirable"), and "good report" only here and in 2 Corinthians 6:8.

virtue…praise: It seems likely that the contrast between these two more general characteristics is between that which is intrinsic to some specific quality (virtue) and what is publicly appreciable in it (praise). Interestingly, the only other uses of "virtue" in the New Testament are in Peter's epistles. The distinction between the two and value for both and each is important, since believers are to be committed to good things both for the value of the things themselves and for the impact goodness has on those who observe it.

Expanded Paraphrase:
The rest of what I need to say to you regards the things you ought to value. Say of what is that it is and of what is not that it is not, and praise those who do so. Similarly prize straightforwardness, righteousness, chasteness. Hold what is desirable over what is offensive and speak of that worth speaking well of. In short, the things you ought to prize are the things that are virtuous in themselves, and those that have value for conveying your transformation in Christ to the observing world.

Philippians 4:7

Majority Text:
και η ειρήνη του Θεου η υπερέχουσα πάντα νουν φρουρήσει τας καρδίας υμων και τα νοήματα υμων εν Χριστω ᾿Ιησου.

KJV:
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Comments:
the peace of God: Interestingly, Paul mentions the God of peace only two verses below, in verse 9. His point there is not really very distinct from the point here--with the exception that he changes the emphasis from peace to God. That is, the point in this verse is that when believers trust God, He blesses them with a certain kind of peace. In that verse, when believers are living obediently they are blessed with the presence of God (who happens to bring peace with Him).

which passeth all understanding: When turmoil ends there is peace. When a problem finds resolution there is peace. But this peace is more than that. The peace God provides is not simply a resolution of the conflict. It has the added dimension of confidence and hope that comes from realizing that the resolution came from One who is faithful to provide in all circumstances--the point of the peace leading also through tribulation to hope in Romans 5:1-5.

Expanded Paraphrase:
When you learn to depend on God for the things about which you would otherwise worry, you put yourself in a position to receive both real resolution to your conflicts and the attendant comfort and confidence that come with that resolution. But you receive from God a peace outside the bounds of human provision, because neither you nor any other fallible man provided it. God addresses your need. And because God addresses your need you find permanent peace in your growing awareness of His faithfulness--a peace no one unaware of God's provision comprehends.