Philippians 1:4 kjv
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Philippians 1:4 nkjv
always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
Philippians 1:4 niv
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
Philippians 1:4 esv
always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
Philippians 1:4 nlt
Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,
Philippians 1 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 1:16 | "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers," | Paul's continual prayer and thankfulness for other believers. |
| Col 1:9 | "we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you..." | Constant prayer and petition for spiritual growth of others. |
| 1 Thess 5:17 | "pray without ceasing," | General admonition to maintain an attitude of persistent prayer. |
| Rom 12:12 | "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." | Perseverance in prayer linked with joy and patience. |
| Lk 18:1 | "He told them a parable to show them that they should always pray..." | Jesus' teaching on the necessity of persistent prayer and not giving up. |
| Eph 6:18 | "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication..." | Emphasis on comprehensive and constant prayer. |
| Col 4:2 | "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." | Steadfast, watchful prayer accompanied by thankfulness. |
| Rom 1:9 | "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel... how constantly I remember you in my prayers," | Paul's unceasing remembrance of fellow believers in prayer. |
| 2 Tim 1:3 | "I thank God whom I serve, as did my forefathers, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day." | Paul's ceaseless prayer for Timothy, full of thankfulness. |
| 2 Cor 13:9 | "For we rejoice when you are weak and we are strong... And we pray for your restoration." | Joy for spiritual well-being of others and prayer for their restoration. |
| 3 Jn 1:4 | "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." | Joy derived from the spiritual faithfulness of others. |
| Neh 8:10 | "The joy of the LORD is your strength." | The Lord as the source of true spiritual joy. |
| Phil 2:2 | "complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love..." | Paul's joy linked to the unity and love among believers. |
| Phil 4:4 | "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." | Repeated command to find joy in the Lord. |
| Rom 15:13 | "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing..." | God as the source of filling believers with joy and peace. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory," | Inexpressible joy experienced by believers in Christ. |
| Phil 1:3 | "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you," | Paul's thanksgiving to God directly precedes his joyful prayer. |
| Phil 1:5 | "because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." | The source of Paul's joy: their active participation in the gospel. |
| Jn 15:11 | "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." | Christ desires His followers to experience full joy. |
| Acts 20:24 | "But I do not account my life of any value... if only I may finish my course with joy..." | Paul's pursuit of his calling characterized by joy. |
| Col 3:15 | "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... And be thankful." | Thanksgiving in the heart, akin to the disposition for prayer. |
| Ps 100:2 | "Serve the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing!" | Coming before God's presence, even in prayer, with joy and gladness. |
Philippians 1 verses
Philippians 1 4 Meaning
Philippians 1:4 conveys the essence of Paul's consistent, comprehensive, and joyous prayer for the believers in Philippi. It reveals that in every specific request he makes to God, his petitions on behalf of all the Philippians are presented with deep joy, forming a habitual and heartfelt practice. This joy is a defining characteristic of his intercession for them, demonstrating his profound affection and spiritual contentment concerning their walk with God.
Philippians 1 4 Context
Philippians 1:4 is part of Paul's customary opening of his letters, where he typically includes a prayer or thanksgiving. This specific letter, written during his imprisonment (likely in Rome), radiates joy despite his difficult circumstances. The Philippian church held a special place in Paul's heart; they were his earliest converts in Europe and unique in their consistent financial support for his ministry (Phil 4:15-16). This verse, immediately following his declaration of thankfulness (v. 3), establishes the deep personal bond and shared spiritual life between Paul and the Philippians. It sets a tone of spiritual communion and affectionate regard that permeates the entire epistle, laying the groundwork for later exhortations regarding unity and joy in the Lord, despite opposition and internal disagreements. Paul's emphasis on "all" the Philippians also subtly anticipates his later call for unity and harmonious thinking among them.
Philippians 1 4 Word analysis
- always (πάντοτε - pantote): This Greek adverb denotes unceasing continuity, indicating that Paul’s remembrance and prayer for the Philippians was a perpetual, habitual state. It’s not sporadic but persistent, highlighting his deep commitment and the ongoing nature of his intercession. This word also shows the depth of his spiritual bond with them.
- in every prayer (ἐν πάσῃ δεήσει - en pasē deēsei):
πᾶς(pasē) means "all" or "every," emphasizing the inclusiveness and comprehensiveness of his prayer. It signifies that there was never an instance of prayer in which the Philippians were absent from his mind and petitions.δέησις(deēsei) refers specifically to a supplication or a request made to God for something needed. Whileπροσευχή(proseuchē) is a general term for prayer, deēsis points to specific petitions, often with a sense of urgency or particularity, suggesting Paul's intercessions for them were concrete and focused. - of mine (μου - mou): A simple possessive pronoun affirming the personal and genuine nature of Paul's prayers. These are his earnest, personal supplications.
- for you all (ὑπὲρ πάντων ὑμῶν - hyper pantōn hymōn):
ὑπέρ(hyper) means "on behalf of" or "for the benefit of."πάντων(pantōn) again signifies "all" or "every one." This inclusive phrasing is significant, showing Paul's pastoral heart embraced the entire community without exception or favoritism. This inclusion of "all" is particularly poignant given later calls for unity within the Philippian church (e.g., Phil 2:2-4, 4:2). It expresses Paul’s universal love for the whole body of believers, reinforcing the concept of corporate spiritual well-being. - making request (τὴν δέησιν ποιούμενος - tēn deēsin poioumenos): This is a participle construction ("doing the petition") which indicates the action of prayer. It is active and ongoing, rather than a mere mental state. It reinforces that his remembrance of them immediately leads to an act of prayer, rather than just a fleeting thought. This construction connects directly back to deēsis ("prayer/request"), emphasizing that it is the act of petitioning that he performs.
- with joy (μετὰ χαρᾶς - meta charas):
χαρὰ(charas) denotes profound gladness, often rooted in spiritual experience and divine revelation, rather than fleeting happiness based on circumstances. The phraseμετὰ χαρᾶς("with joy") describes the manner or disposition with which Paul offered his requests. This is a profound statement, as Paul himself was imprisoned while writing, yet his prayers for the Philippians were characterized by joy. This joy flows from their faithfulness and their partnership in the gospel (mentioned in v. 5). It contrasts sharply with what one might expect from a prisoner and is a testament to the Holy Spirit's work and Paul's Christ-centered perspective.
Philippians 1 4 Bonus section
The active and persistent nature of Paul's prayer in Phil 1:4 suggests that Christian prayer is not a passive mental exercise but an engaged, purposeful spiritual discipline. The combination of "always," "every prayer," and "making request" speaks to an unbroken communion with God, consistently bringing the needs and spiritual growth of fellow believers before Him. Paul’s joy in this act, despite his chains, implicitly highlights that genuine spiritual joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is sourced from an internal spiritual reality and God’s work in the lives of others. This is a significant Christological and theological point that resonates throughout Philippians: joy is rooted in the Lord and the advancement of His Kingdom, rather than personal comfort or freedom. The inclusive nature "for you all" further undergirds Paul's later appeal for unity within the Philippian church, demonstrating that his pastoral love encompasses every member, anticipating the challenges that might arise.
Philippians 1 4 Commentary
Philippians 1:4 presents a profound model of Spirit-led intercessory prayer. Paul's commitment to the Philippians is evident in the always and every prayer, signifying his unwavering devotion and a discipline of comprehensive petition. His petitions are not merely routine; they are heartfelt, specific requests (δεήσει) made for the all of them, demonstrating his genuine, unbiased care for the entire Christian community there. Crucially, this consistent intercession is accompanied with joy. This joy is particularly striking because Paul is writing from prison, yet his personal circumstances do not diminish his spiritual gladness concerning the Philippians. His joy isn't born of comfort but stems from his conviction regarding their sincere fellowship in the gospel (as elaborated in v. 5), their growth in faith, and the certainty of God completing His good work in them (v. 6). This verse serves as a foundational declaration of Paul’s spiritual delight and positive expectation concerning the Philippian believers, setting the optimistic and joyful tone for the rest of the letter. It is an enduring testament to Christian love, where the well-being and spiritual flourishing of others become a source of profound, Spirit-generated joy, even amidst personal tribulation.