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 |
|---|---|---|
| Php 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. | Exhortation to joy |
| Ps 32:11 | Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. | Rejoice in God's presence |
| Ps 5:11 | But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. | Joy in divine protection |
| Ps 97:1 | The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. | God's sovereignty leads to joy |
| Isa 61:10 | I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. | Joy from salvation and righteousness |
| Luke 10:20 | Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. | True joy is in spiritual status |
| Neh 8:10 | ...for the joy of the LORD is your strength. | Joy as spiritual strength |
| 1 Thess 5:16 | Rejoice evermore. | Constant rejoicing |
| Rom 12:12 | Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; | Rejoicing amidst tribulation |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, | Joy as a fruit of the Spirit |
| Ps 16:8 | I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. | God's presence ensures stability |
| Hab 3:17-18 | Though the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; and the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. | Rejoicing despite adverse conditions |
| John 16:22 | And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. | Joy that is permanent and inimitable |
| Acts 16:25 | And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. | Singing and praise in suffering |
| Phil 3:1 | Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. It is doubtless good for you to be reminded of these things. | Reiterating the exhortation |
| Ps 84:4 | Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they shall be still praising thee. Selah. | Dwelling with God leads to praise |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. | God's plans bring hope and future joy |
| Ps 149:2 | Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. | Joy in the Creator and King |
| Matt 5:12 | Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. | Joy amidst persecution for heavenly reward |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God. | All actions to be done in the Lord |
| Col 3:17 | And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him. | Actions done in the Lord's name bring thanks and joy |
Philippians 4 verses
Philippians 4 4 Meaning
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. This is a foundational call to continuous gladness rooted in one's relationship with God, not in external circumstances. It emphasizes an enduring joy that persists through all life's seasons, reiterating the imperative for the sake of certainty and emphasis.
Philippians 4 4 Context
This verse is found in the closing chapter of Philippians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. Paul is in prison, yet his message is overwhelmingly positive and focused on joy. The church at Philippi had supported Paul in his ministry, and he expresses deep affection for them. He addresses issues within the church, encourages them to stand firm in their faith, and models how to live joyfully regardless of circumstances. The emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord stems from the believers' identity in Christ and the assurance of God's presence and promises.
Philippians 4 4 Word analysis
- Rejoice (Greek: chairete)
- This is a present imperative verb.
- It is a general greeting like "greetings" or "hail."
- Here, it's an active command to "be glad," "rejoice," or "exult."
- The command is in the plural, addressing the entire church community.
- It signifies a deep, active gladness that is outward and demonstrable.
- in the Lord (Greek: en Kyrio)
- This prepositional phrase indicates the source and sphere of the rejoicing.
- It means "in union with the Lord" or "within the sphere of the Lord's influence."
- The joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on one's relationship with Christ.
- always (Greek: panta chronon)
- Literally "all the time," "every moment."
- It signifies a continuous, unbroken state of rejoicing.
- This does not mean suppressing sadness but finding a deeper, abiding joy in God irrespective of temporary feelings.
- again I will say (Greek: palin lego)
- This repetition emphasizes the importance of the instruction.
- It conveys Paul's earnestness and the non-negotiable nature of this command.
- It acts as a rhetorical device to ensure the message is heard and heeded.
- rejoice (Greek: chairete)
- The repetition of the verb for "rejoice" reinforces the absolute necessity of this attitude.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- Rejoice in the Lord: This encapsulates the essence of Christian joy—it is Christ-centered. It's not a manufactured happiness but a God-given gladness derived from being "in Christ."
- Always rejoice: This highlights the persistent, perpetual nature of this command. It suggests an underlying spiritual discipline and reliance on God's faithfulness that sustains joy even in trials. The repetition underscores that this isn't optional or situational.
Philippians 4 4 Bonus Section
The emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord distinguishes Christian joy from mere happiness. Happiness is fleeting and dependent on circumstances, while joy in the Lord is abiding, rooted in God's unchanging nature and the secure position believers have in Him. Paul himself models this, writing joyous letters from prison, demonstrating that his inner spirit remained untouched by his outward suffering because his joy was "in the Lord." This posture of perpetual rejoicing also serves as a spiritual counter-measure against despair and anxiety, as elaborated in the subsequent verses of Philippians 4.
Philippians 4 4 Commentary
This verse is a cornerstone of Christian joy. Paul commands believers to maintain a state of gladness, not based on the circumstances they face, but rooted in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not about emotional highs but a deep-seated contentment and rejoicing that flows from God's presence and promises. The repetition of "rejoice" stresses the absolute imperative of this mindset, urging believers to continually center their lives on Christ, His work, and His character. This persistent rejoicing becomes a powerful testimony, a fruit of the Spirit, and a source of strength.
- Practical application: Even during difficulties, actively recall God's faithfulness and redemptive work. Practice thankfulness for specific blessings in Christ. Engage in worship and praise, shifting focus from problems to the Lord.