Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
What does Philippians 4:4 mean?
Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. As the apostle had found the benefit of their assistance, he knew how comfortable it would be to his fellow-labourers to have the help of others.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Philippians 4:4-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Philippians 4:4
It is the privilege of Christians to do this, not at certain periods and at distant intervals, but at all times they may rejoice that there is a God and Saviour; they may rejoice in the character, law, and government of God - in his promises, and in communion with him. The Christian, therefore, may be, and should be, always a happy man. If everything else changes, yet the Lord does not change; if the sources of all other joy are dried up, yet this is not; and there is not a moment of a Christian's life in which he may not find joy in the character, law, and promises of God.
Context in Philippians 4
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Philippians 4 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as final exhortations and gratitude. Philippians is a joyful prison letter centered on Christ’s humility, resurrection-minded hope, and steadfast partnership in the gospel. Read this chapter with the wider themes of joy, humility, and partnership in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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