Philippians 1:4
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In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
making request--Translate, "making my request." for you all--The frequent repetition in this Epistle of "all" with "you," marks that Paul desires to declare his love for all alike, and will not recognize any divisions among them. with joy--the characteristic feature in this Epistle, as love is in that to the Ephesians (compare Phi 1:18; Phi 2:2, Phi 2:19, Phi 2:28; Phi 3:1; Phi 4:1, Phi 4:4). Love and joy are the two first-fruits of the Spirit. Joy gives especial animation to prayers. It marked his high opinion of them, that there was almost everything in them to give him joy, and almost nothing to give him pain.
Open source ↗He begins with the inscription and benediction (Phi 1:1, Phi 1:2). He gives thanks for the saints at Philippi (Phi 1:3-6). He speaks of his great affection and concern for their spiritual welfare (Phi 1:7, Phi 1:8), his prayers for them (Phi 1:9-11), his care to prevent their offence at his sufferings (Phi 1:12-20), his readiness to glorify Christ by life or death (Phi 1:21-26), and then concludes with a double exhortation to strictness and constancy (Phi 1:27-30).
Open source ↗1:4-6 Paul’s joy derived from how the Philippians had joined him as partners in spreading the Good News and from his confidence that God would continue his good work in them.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”