Philippians 4:6
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL]. by prayer and supplication--Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term. Supplication, to avert ills; a special term, suppliant entreaty (see on Eph 6:18). thanksgiving--for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (Th1 5:18; Jam 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (Act 16:25). Thanksgiving gives effect to prayer (Ch2 20:21), and frees from anxious carefulness by making all God's dealings matter for praise, not merely for resignation, much less murmuring. "Peace" is the companion of "thanksgiving" (Phi 4:7; Col 3:15). let your requests be made known unto God--with generous, filial, unreserved confidence; not keeping aught back, as too great, or else too small, to bring before God, though you might feel so as to your fellow men. So Jacob, when fearing Esau (Gen 32:9-12); Hezekiah fearing Sennacherib (Kg2 19:14; Psa 37:5).
Open source ↗Exhortations to several Christian duties, as stedfastness, unanimity, joy, etc. (Phi 4:1-9). The apostle's grateful acknowledgments of the Philippians' kindness to him, with expressions of his own content, and desire of their good (Phi 4:10-19). He concludes the epistle with praise, salutations, and blessing (Phi 4:20-23).
Open source ↗4:6 Believers need not worry about anything because the heavenly Father loves his children and cares about their needs, and he has invited his children to pray about everything (see Matt 6:25-34; 7:9-11; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; 1 Thes 5:17; 1 Pet 5:7).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
From the web
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Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.