Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

the Holy Spirit; happiness is the practical application of this doctrine under the adversities and stress
of daily circumstances. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.) We try to produce joy in the church by external means.
We have a program and tell folks, “Come and you will enjoy it.” We have a banquet – people enjoy
a banquet – so we have joy, we say. Actually, joy does not depend upon outward circumstances.
Real joy depends on the inward condition of the individual. It depends on the proper attitude toward
life. If you are complaining and whining about your lot in life, certainly you will not be experiencing
joy. You may be able to go to a church banquet and have a little fun, but that will not be joy. When
you and I get to the place where we find ourselves in the center of the will of God and know we are
in His will regardless of our circumstances, then there will be joy in our lives. (J. McGee)
Philp. 1:4 [always (Adv. of Time) (remembering you) in every
(Loc. Time, during a point of time) prayer (Instr. Manner) of
mine (Gen. Poss.), while offering continual (poie,w, PMPtc.NSM,
Iterative, Temporal) prayer (Adv. Acc.) with inner happiness
(Gen. Attendant Circum.) on behalf of all of you (Dat.
Adv.)],
WHO
Philippians 1:4 pa,ntote evn pa,sh| deh,sei mou u`pe.r pa,ntwn u`mw/n meta. cara/j th.n de,hsin
poiou,menoj
VUL
Philippians 1:4 semper in cunctis orationibus meis pro omnibus vobis cum gaudio
deprecationem faciens
LWB Philp. 1:5 Because of your generous contribution [financial gift] towards the purpose of
furthering the Gospel, from that first day [prior contribution in Thessalonica] until
[including their 2 nd gift in Corinth] now [most recent contribution in Rome],
KW Philp. 1:5 For your joint participation [with me] in the furtherance of the good news from the
first day [when Lydia opened her home for the preaching of the Word] until this particular
moment [as characterized by the gift which you have sent],
KJV Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
One of the reasons for Paul’s continual prayers for the Philippians is to thank God for several
financial contributions they had sent to him. The first one he recalls was one he received in
Thessalonica; the most recent one they sent to Rome, which probably paid for his legal defense fees
and other necessities. The word “until” may be an allusion to money he received while in Corinth. In
other words, the Philippians were an example of a congregation of believers who knew about grace
giving and were able to do so. The demonstrative definite article points to the gift aspect rather than
mere fellowship.
Some commentators take a weak view of this verse, believing it refers to being Paul’s friend while