Unity, Rejoicing, Prayer, and Right Thinking
Philippians 4:2-9
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Phil.4.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ευοδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παρακαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- Συντυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παρακαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- φρονειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:2 (verbal): Uses the same phrase (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν / το αὐτό φρονείν) — an explicit, verbal appeal to be of one mind as in Phil 4:2.
- Philippians 1:27 (structural): Within the same letter Paul exhorts the community to 'stand fast in one spirit, with one mind' — a parallel structural appeal to corporate unity and concord.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 (thematic): Paul's plea for the Corinthians to 'be united, that there be no divisions among you' parallels the underlying concern in Phil 4:2 for agreement and harmony among believers.
- Romans 16:17 (thematic): A related theme: Paul warns against those who cause divisions and obstacles to the teaching, which provides a complementary perspective to his urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree.
Alternative generated candidates
- I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
- I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Phil.4.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ναι: PART
- ερωτω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- γνησιε: ADJ,voc,sg,m
- συζυγε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- συλλαμβανου: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- αυταις: PRON,dat,pl,f
- αιτινες: PRON,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ευαγγελιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- συνηθλησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- μετα: PREP
- και: CONJ
- Κλημεντος: PROPN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- λοιπων: ADJ,gen,pl,nt
- συνεργων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ονοματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- βιβλω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 16:3-4 (verbal): Paul calls Priscilla and Aquila 'my fellow workers' (συνεργοι) who risked their lives for him—uses the same terminology and idea of co-workers who labored with Paul.
- Philippians 2:25-30 (verbal): Epaphroditus is described as 'my fellow worker' (συνεργον) and companion in ministry—parallel language and role to Clement and Paul's other partners.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9 (verbal): 'We are God's fellow workers' (συνεργοι Θεοῦ) — the Pauline concept of ministry partners echoes the designation of those who labored with Paul in the gospel.
- Luke 10:20 (verbal): Jesus tells the disciples to rejoice because 'your names are written in heaven'—a close verbal/thematic parallel to 'their names are in the book of life.'
- Revelation 3:5 (allusion): The image of the 'book of life' appears explicitly ('I will not blot his name out of the book of life'), reflecting the same eschatological register invoked in Philippians 4:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yes—I ask you also, my true companion—help these women who have labored with me in the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- Yes—I ask you also, true companion—help these women who labored alongside me in the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phil.4.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Χαιρετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- παντοτε·παλιν: ADV
- ερω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- χαιρετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Philippians 3:1 (structural): Within the same letter Paul issues the same exhortation, 'Rejoice in the Lord,' showing a repeated, programmatic theme (internal verbal/structural parallel).
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (verbal): 'Rejoice always' is a near-identical, concise exhortation to continual joy, echoing Paul's imperative to perpetual rejoicing.
- Romans 12:12 (thematic): Pairs rejoicing with other virtues ('rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulation; be constant in prayer'), reflecting the ethical-theological context for Christian rejoicing.
- James 1:2 (thematic): 'Count it all joy...when you meet trials of various kinds' connects to the motif of joy amid trials and the Christian call to rejoice beyond favorable circumstances.
- Luke 10:20 (allusion): Jesus tells the disciples to 'rejoice' (specifically about their standing in heaven); echoes the New Testament pattern of an imperative to joy rooted in the Lord and covenantal assurance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice.
Phil.4.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- επιεικες: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- γνωσθητω: VERB,aor,pass,imp,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγγυς·: ADV
Parallels
- Galatians 6:1 (verbal): Commands restoring a brother 'in a spirit of gentleness' (πνεύματι πραότητος), using the same vocabulary and stressing gentleness as the mode of interpersonal correction.
- Titus 3:2 (verbal): Exhorts believers to 'be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable and gentle' (πραεῖς)—close lexical and ethical affinity with 'let your gentleness be known to all.'
- Colossians 4:5-6 (thematic): Both verses instruct how Christians should comport themselves toward outsiders—wise, gracious speech and conduct that make the believer's character evident to all, paralleling Paul’s appeal that gentleness be publicly known.
- Matthew 5:5 (thematic): The beatitude 'Blessed are the meek' (οἱ πραεῖς) parallels the virtue of gentleness/meekness Paul urges as characteristic of the Christian life.
- James 5:8 (allusion): James's admonition to be patient because 'the coming of the Lord is near' echoes Phil 4:5's terse 'The Lord is near,' linking the Lord's nearness to ethical readiness and conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
- Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Phil.4.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- μεριμνατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- προσευχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δεησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μετ᾽ευχαριστιας: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αιτηματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- γνωριζεσθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 6:25-34 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'do not be anxious' about bodily needs parallels Paul's command not to worry and to trust God rather than fretting about provision.
- Ephesians 6:18 (verbal): Paul's phrase 'prayer and supplication' closely matches Philippians' language about approaching God with requests, linking forms of petitionary prayer.
- Colossians 4:2 (structural): Call to 'devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful' echoes Philippians' coupling of prayer/supplication with thanksgiving.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (thematic): 'Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you' parallels the exhortation to replace anxiety with bringing requests to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil.4.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- υπερεχουσα: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- νουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φρουρησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- νοηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Colossians 3:15 (verbal): Both texts speak of the ‘peace’ of Christ/God and locate it in the heart (Col 3:15: “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”), paralleling Paul’s language of God’s peace guarding your hearts.
- Isaiah 26:3 (allusion): Isaiah: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast” (Heb. text); Philippians echoes this promise language—God ‘will guard’ hearts and minds—drawing on the OT motif of God preserving the mind in peace.
- John 14:27 (thematic): Jesus’ gift of peace—“Peace I leave with you... let not your hearts be troubled”—provides an NT background for Paul’s assurance that God’s peace will guard believers’ hearts and minds.
- Romans 8:6 (thematic): Romans links the disposition of the mind with life and peace (“to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace”), echoing Philippians’ concern with the mind/heart being held in peace by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil.4.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Το: ART,nom,sg,n
- λοιπον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αληθη: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- σεμνα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- δικαια: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- αγνα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- προσφιλη: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ευφημα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- αρετη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- επαινος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- λογιζεσθε·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Philippians 4:9 (structural): Immediate context — Paul follows 4:8 by urging the Philippians to put into practice what they have learned, received and seen in him, applying the call to dwell on virtuous things.
- Romans 12:2 (thematic): Both verses emphasize the renewal and discipline of the mind — Paul urges transformation by renewing the mind so that one may discern God’s will, resonating with the command to 'think about' what is true and excellent.
- Colossians 3:2 (thematic): Call to set the mind on higher/holy things parallels Phil 4:8’s injunction to focus thought on what is pure, righteous, and lovely (a positive ethic of mental focus).
- 2 Peter 1:5-7 (thematic): A Pauline-like catalogue of virtues (add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, etc.) parallels Phil 4:8’s list of moral qualities and the emphasis on cultivating excellence and praise-worthy character.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (thematic): The 'fruit of the Spirit' (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) overlaps in content and purpose with Phil 4:8’s virtues as normative Christian character traits to be embraced and manifested.
Alternative generated candidates
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise—think on these things.
- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious—if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise—think on these things.
Phil.4.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εμαθετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- παρελαβετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ειδετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- πρασσετε·και: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- μεθ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Philippians 3:17 (thematic): Paul again urges the Philippians to imitate his example—here he tells them to follow his pattern of life, echoing 4:9’s call to do what they learned and saw in him.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 (verbal): Paul’s explicit injunction “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” parallels 4:9’s appeal to practice what they received and observed in him (the ethic of imitation).
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (verbal): Uses the title/role of God (or Lord) as the source of peace—“May the Lord of peace give you peace”—paralleling 4:9’s closing promise that the God of peace will be with them.
- Hebrews 13:20-21 (allusion): Refers to the same divine character (God of peace) in relation to enabling and sustaining believers—Hebrews prays that the God of peace will equip and work in you, echoing 4:9’s assurance of God’s presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
- What you learned and received and heard and saw in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Yes—I ask you also, my true companion—help these women who have labored side by side with me in the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any excellence and if anything is praiseworthy—think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—put these into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.