This verse is sometimes regarded as parenthetical because Paul’s thanksgiving is not mentioned again until verse 5 (cf. Luther), but this conclusion is unnecessary, for the following reasons. First, there is no need to mention the object of thanksgiving in verse 5, since it is already implicit in the phrase “every time I think of you” (v. 3). Good News Translation makes the object explicit by supplying “for you,” thus “I thank my God for you every time I think of you.” Secondly, there is no evidence that verse 4 is a digression, since it connects rather naturally both with what precedes and with what follows. Both “thanksgiving” (v. 3) and “supplication” (v. 4; the word translated pray in Good News Translation) are essential components of prayer. Furthermore, verse 5 gives the reason for the “joy” mentioned in verse 4. Finally, the sense of “joy,” being the dominant tone in this letter (1.18, 25; 2.2, 17, 18, 28, 29; 3.1; 4.1, 4, 10), is not likely to be parenthetical in Paul’s thought.

The word translated pray (a noun in Greek) is not the usual word for prayer. Its essential component is “supplication” (American Standard Version [American Standard Version] “in every supplication of mine”). The supplication Paul continuously makes is for you all. One cannot fail to be impressed by the repeated use of “all,” “each,” or “every” in this letter, especially when the Philippian church is referred to (1.4, 7, 8, 25; 2.17; 4.21). The word seems to be related to Paul’s constant exhortations to unity (1.27; 2.1-4; 4.2, 3, 5, 7, 9). The repeated reference to all the members of the Philippian church is intended to remind them of the danger of divisions, which is the one negative element in Paul’s general feeling of satisfaction with respect to that group of believers. One should not conclude that the use of “all” is meaningless and may be left untranslated (cf. Phillips New American Bible).

In verse 3 the phrase for you must be understood in the sense of “because of you,” but in verse 4 for you all must be understood in the sense of “on behalf of you all.” I pray for you must be expressed in some instances as “I pray to God that he will help you” but in others it maybe sufficient simply to say “I speak to God about you.”

The semantic elements in the expression I pray with joy must be reversed in some languages, for example, “I am happy when I pray” or “I feel joy in my praying.” In some languages this joy may be expressed idiomatically as “my heart dances as I pray,” or “my abdomen is content as I talk with God.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .