Philippians 4:4 kjv
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 nkjv
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 niv
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 esv
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 nlt
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again ? rejoice!
Philippians 4 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thes 5:16 | Rejoice always, | Direct parallel, emphasis on continuous joy. |
| Rom 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, | God as the source of joy through faith. |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, | Joy as a divine fruit in believers. |
| Ps 16:11 | In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. | Joy found in God's presence. |
| Neh 8:10 | The joy of the Lord is your strength. | The Lord as the source of strength and joy. |
| Jam 1:2-3 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, | Joy possible even amidst trials. |
| 1 Pet 4:13 | Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, | Joy found in sharing Christ's suffering. |
| Matt 5:12 | Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, | Joy promised in persecution for Christ's sake. |
| Rom 5:3 | We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, | Joy in suffering's transformative power. |
| Hab 3:17-18 | Though the fig tree should not blossom...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; | Joy independent of material blessings. |
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Finding delight (joy) in the Lord. |
| Isa 12:3 | With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. | Joy as a consequence of salvation. |
| Jn 15:11 | These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, | Christ's desire for His joy to be in us. |
| Rom 14:17 | The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | Joy as an attribute of God's kingdom. |
| Acts 5:41 | Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. | Disciples rejoiced in suffering for Christ. |
| Ps 97:12 | Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! | Call to the righteous to rejoice. |
| 2 Cor 13:11 | Finally, brothers, rejoice. | Paul's direct exhortation to rejoice. |
| Ps 32:11 | Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, | Another command for the righteous to rejoice. |
| Ps 68:3 | But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; | The righteous find joy in God's presence. |
| Luke 10:20 | Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. | Ground for true joy (heavenly citizenship). |
| Zeph 3:17 | The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. | God himself rejoices over His people. |
| Jn 16:22 | So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. | Joy given by Christ, which is eternal. |
Philippians 4 verses
Philippians 4 4 Meaning
Philippians 4:4 is a command from the Apostle Paul to believers to maintain a disposition of joy, not dependent on external circumstances but rooted in their union with the Lord Jesus Christ. This joy is to be constant and consistent, reiterated by Paul for emphatic instruction, underscoring its vital importance in Christian living.
Philippians 4 4 Context
Philippians 4:4 serves as a capstone command in the final chapter of Paul's letter, often referred to as an "Epistle of Joy." Though imprisoned and facing uncertain future, Paul consistently encourages the Philippian believers to joy. This specific verse immediately follows Paul's appeal for unity within the church (Euodia and Syntyche, v. 2-3) and a call to stand firm in the Lord. It sets the tone for the subsequent instructions on gentleness (v. 5), prayer and thanksgiving (v. 6), and a mind fixed on virtue (v. 8). Historically, Philippi was a Roman colony proud of its citizenship. Paul subtly challenges this by emphasizing "in the Lord" and a heavenly citizenship (Phil 3:20), indicating that the ultimate source of their identity and joy should not be earthly allegiance but divine union. The instruction also contrasted with popular philosophies like Stoicism which sought peace through detachment and emotional suppression, as Christian joy is active and rooted in a personal relationship.
Philippians 4 4 Word analysis
Rejoice (Greek: χαίρετε, chairēte): This is an imperative verb, a command, not a suggestion or a passive feeling. It is in the present tense, implying continuous action. The plural form signifies it is addressed to the entire church. This joy is not merely fleeting happiness based on favorable circumstances, but a deep-seated spiritual gladness that persists despite outward struggles, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). It represents a confident assurance in God's sovereignty and goodness.
in (Greek: ἐν, en): This preposition signifies the sphere, basis, source, or grounds for the rejoicing. It denotes union and intimate relationship.
the Lord (Greek: κυρίῳ, Kyriō): Refers specifically to Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate source and object of this joy. It is not joy about circumstances, but joy within and because of one's relationship with and standing in Christ. His person, power, redemptive work, and promised presence provide the immovable foundation for constant rejoicing.
always (Greek: πάντοτε, pantote): This adverb emphasizes the continual nature of the command. It means "at all times," "without exception," "in every situation"—good or bad, easy or hard. It demands a cultivated spiritual discipline. This differentiates Christian joy from mere temporal happiness, as it must transcend trials and tribulations.
again I will say, Rejoice!: Paul reiterates the command, using a future active indicative of erō (I will say), signaling a firm and intentional restatement. This repetition ("πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε") serves to underscore the profound importance and non-negotiable nature of this instruction. It reflects Paul's earnest desire and pastoral heart for the Philippians to grasp and live this truth, much like a teacher repeats a crucial lesson. It is not just an emphasis on the verb "rejoice" but on the entire concept of finding this joy in the Lord always.
Philippians 4 4 Bonus section
The concept of "rejoicing in the Lord" also subtly challenges the prevailing Roman cultural values of honor, status, and self-reliance, which often led to despair when those things were lost. For a Roman citizen, self-worth was often tied to public approval and military prowess. Paul directs the Philippians away from such transient sources of affirmation towards an immutable divine source. This command to rejoice, therefore, serves as a counter-cultural testimony, demonstrating a joy derived from an internal, spiritual reality rather than external validation. This joy is ultimately a characteristic of God's Kingdom (Rom 14:17) and an experience shared by Christ Himself (Jn 15:11).
Philippians 4 4 Commentary
Philippians 4:4 encapsulates a cornerstone of Christian experience: joy independent of circumstances, firmly anchored in Christ. This is not a superficial cheerfulness but a deep, abiding contentment that stems from union with God. Paul commands the church to rejoice, making it an active choice and spiritual discipline rather than a passive emotion. The crucial phrase "in the Lord" defines the nature and source of this joy—it emanates from His person, His power, His unwavering promises, and our secure identity in Him, not from the fleeting pleasures or stable conditions of the world. "Always" stresses its unceasing quality, meaning this joy is to persist through trials, anxieties, and periods of hardship, just as Paul himself demonstrated from prison. The Apostle’s emphatic repetition, "again I will say, Rejoice!", underscores the profound importance of this truth. It suggests that this command might be challenging to fulfill in human strength, thus implying a reliance on divine grace to maintain such an attitude. Practically, this verse calls believers to shift their focus from the temporal to the eternal, from personal difficulties to God's unchanging faithfulness, allowing Christ to be the constant ground of their rejoicing.