SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:8

Paragraph 4:8–9

In this paragraph, Paul told the believers another way that they could achieve peace among themselves: they should keep their minds on things that are good and follow the example that Paul had already set for them.

4:8a

Finally: With this Greek phrase in 4:8–9, Paul was finishing this part of his letter, in which he was exhorting his readers to do certain things. This was not the end of the whole letter. Paul used the same expression in 3:1a. See note there.

brothers: The term brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:1, 3:13, 3:17, 4:1. See the note on 1:12a.

In the rest of this verse, Paul listed the sort of things that he wanted the Philippians to think about, meditate on, concentrate on in their thoughts.

4:8b

whatever is true: This refers to things that are real or genuine. Because they are true, they are dependable. These things fit with the nature of God, who represents all that is true.

whatever is honorable: This refers to things that are noble, things that deserve to be respected.

4:8c

whatever is right: This phrase refers to things that God considers right and good, things that God approves. This is the Greek word often translated “righteous.”

whatever is pure: This refers to things that are free from sin.

4:8d

whatever is lovely: This phrase refers to things that people can easily love, things that are worthy for people to love. It means things that are pleasing to people, things that are agreeable.

whatever is admirable: This refers to things that people like and admire, things that have a good name or reputation.

4:8e

if anything is excellent: This means “whatever is very good.” Paul used the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as excellent in a moral sense, meaning something that is free from sin. In this sentence the word if does not mean that Paul did not know whether there was anything excellent or not. He knew there were many very good things in the world.

praiseworthy: This refers to things that deserve to be praised. People speak well of things they admire and approve.

General Comment on 4:8a–e

In some languages it may be hard to know how some of these eight things are different from one another, and so it may be necessary to combine some. For example, it may be possible to translate the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “honorable” and “admirable” together as “things that people respect.”

4:8f

think on these things: Paul concluded his list by saying that he wanted the Philippians to keep focusing on the things he had mentioned and thinking about them.

things: This does not refer to objects that a person can touch. It refers to what people say, what they do, what people think and how they act toward other people.

General Comments on 4:8

In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the verse in some way.

One possible reordering is to put 4:8f at the beginning of the verse as an introduction. For example:

Finally, brothers and sisters, these are the things you should think about: things that are true, things that are noble….

Another possibility is also to reorder the list itself. The last two qualities (4:8e), “excellent” and “praiseworthy,” are a sort of summary of the first six qualities. So in some languages it may be helpful to begin the list with these qualities. The Good News Translation has done this:

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. (Good News Translation)

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:7

4:7a

And: 4:7 is the result of 4:6.

the peace of God: This refers to the peace that God gives his people. See note on 1:2. See also peace, section A3c in Key Biblical Terms.

surpasses all understanding: The peace that God gives is much greater than people can ever imagine or understand.

4:7b

will guard your hearts and your minds: When God’s people pray to him and trust and depend on him, he gives them peace, which protects them and helps them not to worry or be afraid.

guard: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as guard is a military term which was used to describe soldiers guarding a city. Paul used it as a metaphor—God’s peace is like a soldier or sentinel which watches over believers and keeps them safe.

your hearts and your minds: The words hearts and minds refer to the inward part of a person. Commentators do not agree on how the two terms are different, but the term “heart” may refer to feelings and the term “mind” to thoughts.

in Christ Jesus: God gives his people this peace because they trust in Christ and belong to him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:6

4:6a

Be anxious for nothing: Paul was saying, “Do not worry about anything.” He did not mean the believers should not be concerned about serious problems or important things. But he did not want them to worry habitually as unbelievers did because they did not trust in God to help them.

4:6b

but in everything: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as in everything :

(1) It refers to every situation or problem. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, God’s Word)

(2) It refers to every prayer and petition. (Good News Translation, NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1), which is supported by the great majority of commentaries and translations. Whatever problem the believers were having, they should pray to God and not worry.

by prayer: This refers to praying to God in a general sense.

and petition: This refers to a specific kind of prayer: when a person asks God for something.

with thanksgiving: This also is how believers should pray—thanking God. It implies that whenever the believer prays to God, he should thank God. Paul did not say what the Philippians should thank God for, but it could include his goodness and love to them, previous prayers he had answered and many other things.

present your requests to God: This means:

ask God for what you need (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:5

4:5a

Let your gentleness be apparent to all: That is, Paul wanted the Philippians to display a gentle attitude, to act in a patient way as they related to everyone, including unbelievers.

gentleness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentleness has a wide meaning. A gentle person means someone who is calm and moderate, who considers what others need and not just what he himself needs. It means someone who does not insist on his own rights or his own way of doing things. It also means someone who is reasonable and fair-minded, and patient when others misunderstand him.

be apparent: In languages with no passives it will be necessary to translate this with an active verb. Some ways to do this are:

Show all people that you are gentle.
-or-
Let everyone see that you are gentle.

to all: This means to all human beings, not just to all believers.

4:5b

The Lord is near: There are two ways to interpret this expression:

(1) It refers to time, that is, Paul expected the Lord to return to earth soon. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) It refers to location. The Lord is close to all his people.

Most English versions are ambiguous, as is the Greek. If it is possible in your language, you could choose a word or phrase that can mean both close in space and close in time. However, if you must make a choice, choose interpretation (1). Paul probably meant that believers should continue to expect the Lord to return at any time. This should cause all believers to act properly as his true disciples.

The Lord: This refers to the Lord Jesus.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:4

Paragraph 4:4–7

This paragraph contrasts with 4:2–3 where Paul talked about arguing. In 4:4–7 he encouraged the Philippian believers to be happy and gentle, to pray and not to worry. He wanted them to experience the peace of God in their hearts and in their Christian community.

4:4

Rejoice in the Lord: This is the same Greek phrase as Paul used in 3:1a. See the note on that verse.

always: Here Paul made the expression “Rejoice in the Lord” stronger. He added the idea of always. He meant for the believers to continue rejoicing as they obeyed the Lord Jesus. They express their joy all the time as they thought about the Lord and all that he had done for them. Even when others persecuted them because they believed in Jesus, they could still be happy because they belonged to God.

I will say it again: Rejoice!: Paul was repeating what he had just said to give it emphasis and to show that it was very important.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:3

4:3a

Yes: This particle here is used to strengthen or emphasize Paul’s request. It is not necessary to translate it with the same word you use to indicate agreement (the normal use of the English word Yes). Other English versions have used “indeed” or “moreover.”

you: The word you is singular here. This is the only time in the letter to Philippians that Paul addressed just one person.

my true: This refers to what is true or genuine. Paul was referring to a person who was not false but true to his claim of being a faithful disciple of Christ. People could depend on him.

yokefellow: The Greek word suzugos here means “fellow worker” or “partner.” There are two ways to interpret this term:

(1) It is a common noun, not a name. Paul very likely was referring to someone in the church who could help the two women agree. But Paul did not say who that person was. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, Good News Translation, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is a name. The person Paul was talking to was a member of the church at Philippi and his name was Syzygos. Paul was using both the name and its meaning, as he did with the name “Onesimus” in Philemon 11. (New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)

Interpretation (1) has strong commentary support. Also the name Syzygos is not known elsewhere in Greek literature. So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

to help these women: In some languages it may be necessary to say explicitly what Paul wanted this man to help the women to do. If you need to do this in your language, you could say “help these women to live in peace with each other” or “…to agree with one another.”

4:3b

who have labored with me for the gospel: Paul reminded his “yokefellow” that Euodia and Syntyche had worked hard with Paul to defend the gospel and to tell people about Christ.

who: The Greek term that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who has been understood in several ways:

(1) It introduces a reason: “for they, since they…” (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It defines the women: “[the women] who…” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(3) It begins a new clause that comments on the women’s work: “they [contended]…” (NET Bible, God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

The first interpretation has the strongest commentary support and is recommended (1).

labored with me: The Greek word that Berean Standard Bible translates as labored is the same word that Paul used in 1:27 (see note on 1:27c–d). It means to join someone else in a struggle to do something. It means to work hard together to overcome something.

for the gospel: This is literally “in the gospel.” You may need to supply a verb such as “spreading” or “defending.”

4:3c

along with Clement: These women were not the only people who had helped Paul to defend and spread the gospel of Christ. Clement and others had also helped Paul in this way.

Clement: This is a man’s name. We know nothing else about him except that he was a believer and a co-worker of Paul’s.

and the rest of my fellow workers: Other believers had also worked with Paul to help people know what was true about Jesus Christ.

So in 4:3, Paul mentioned three groups of people who had helped him spread the gospel: the two women (Euodia and Syntyche), Clement and the rest of his fellow workers.

4:3d

whose names are in the Book of Life: Although this may appear to relate only to the phrase “the rest of my fellow workers,” it does not exclude the other people mentioned in 4:3. The names of Euodia, Syntyche and Clement are also in the book of life.

the Book of Life: The phrase the Book of Life refers to God’s record of true believers who will live forever.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:2

Section 4:2–9

Paul taught the Philippians how to find peace

Paul asked the believers in Philippi to behave peaceably toward one another. This was important, especially in the context of suffering for their faith. As a way to help them do that, he encouraged them to help one another, to be happy, to pray rather than worry, and to focus on thinking about good things.

Paragraph 4:2–3

Paul pleaded with two of the women among the Philippian believers to be at peace with one another. And he asked another believer to help them agree together.

4:2

I urge: This means “to ask strongly, to plead, to beg someone to do something.”

Euodia and Syntyche: These were two female members of the church in Philippi. They were obviously strongly disagreeing with each other about something.

agree with each other: Paul was asking these women to stop arguing and to agree with one another. He wanted them to be at peace with each other.

In 2:1–2 Paul had already pleaded with the whole church to agree with each other. This is the same expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “being like-minded” in 2:2. In this verse, Paul was pleading with two of the church members by name to do the same thing.

in the Lord: In this context Paul used this expression to mean “because you belong to the Lord Jesus.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:1

Paragraph 4:1

Paul encouraged the believers to be faithful to the Lord.

4:1 is a summary of what Paul talked about in 3:12–21.

4:1a

Therefore: This connecting word indicates that what Paul had been saying in chapter 3, especially in the latter part, was the reason why he then said what he did in 4:1.

my brothers: The term brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:1, 3:13, 3:17, 4:8. See the note on 1:12a.

whom I love and long for: Once again Paul told the Philippians how much he loved them. The phrase long for means to wish strongly to see someone because you love him very much. See note on “I long for all of you” in 1:8, where the same Greek word is used.

4:1b

my joy: When Paul called the Philippians his joy in this verse, he meant that they caused Paul to be happy. Some possible ways to translate this are:

you give me joy
-or-
you make me happy

and crown: When Paul called the Philippians his crown, he meant they were his reward for the work he had done. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crown refers to the ring of leaves that was placed on the head of someone who had just won a race or competition. It was his reward/prize for winning. Therefore, it is possible that Paul was thinking of the reward that he would get in heaven because of how he had discipled the Philippians. They were like his reward because they had believed in Christ and were following him. Here is an idea for translating the word crown :

you are the reward for my work

Paul also used the ideas of “joy” and crown together in 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

4:1c

that is how: The Greek word houtōs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that is how can also be translated as “in this way” or “so.” Paul encouraged the Philippians to stand firm in the way he had just been describing in the previous verses.

stand firm in the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stand firm is also used in 1:27c–d. It literally just means “stand,” but Paul used it figuratively to mean “be steadfast.” Paul wanted the Philippians to be strong in their faith no matter what happened to them. A possible rendering for the phrase stand firm in the Lord in this context is:

remain loyal to the Lord

my beloved: The Berean Standard Bible translates this phrase from the same Greek word from which it translates the phrase “whom I love” in 4:1a. Think about whether it is better in your language to repeat the same idea or to use a different expression here in your translation. See also the note on “my beloved” in 2:12a.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002