Philippians 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6

The cure for anxiety. I. THE DISEASE . We must, of course, be careful for many things, in the sense of taking thought about them or taking pains in working on them. Christianity does not favor indolent improvidence; for it teaches, "If a man will not work neither let him eat." Nor does it encourage reckless carelessness; for it everywhere instils a thoughtful, conscientious sense of responsibility. What it does discourage is anxiety. 1 . This is painful. How painful most of us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

A cure for care. The apostle forbids harassing anxiety and enjoins prayerfulness as the sure way to peace. "Be anxious for nothing." Mark— I. THE WISE COUNSEL OF THE APOSTLE . 1 . This does not mean that we are not to be anxious about duty. We ought to have a deep concern for every interest of God's kingdom. A certain measure of anxious thought is necessary to the efficient performance of every duty of life. 2 . It means that we are not to be anxious about the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace. I. WHAT IT IS . God's own peace; that which he himself possesses. It is the peace which our Lord had and which he promised to his disciples: "My peace I give unto you." It is, therefore, no mere superficial freedom from external troubles, but a deep-seated harmony with God the Source of all peace. Thus it transcends human understanding and human expression. II. WHAT PREVENTS OUR POSSESSING IT ? Over-anxiety and worry. These are a kind of practical atheism,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing - That is, be not anxious or solicitous about the things of the present life. The word used here - μεριμνᾶτε merimnate - does not mean that we are to exercise no care about worldly matters - no care to preserve our property, or to provide for our families (compare 1 Timothy 5:8); but that there is to be such confidence in God as to free the mind from anxiety, and such a sense of dependence on him as to keep it calm; see the subject explained in the notes on Matthew... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4-7. Rejoice in the Lord alway For, as believers in Christ, as children and heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ of the heavenly, incorruptible inheritance, and as persons assured that all things, even those that are the most distressing in appearance, shall work together for your good, you have sufficient reason for rejoicing always. And again I say, Rejoice The apostle repeats the exhortation, because the honour of Christ, and the comfort of his followers, greatly... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:1-9

4:1-23 ENCOURAGEMENT AND THANKSConcerning thoughts and conduct (4:1-9)With words of warmest friendship, Paul encourages the Philippians to stand firm and not be shaken by problems that arise, whether inside the church or outside. He appeals to two women who had quarrelled to become friends again. The women had once worked with Paul, and no doubt they would be a help to the church if they were united. He asks a close friend in the church to do all he can to help these women forget their... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 4:6

careful = anxious. First occurance: Matthew 6:25 , nothing . Greek. medeis prayer . supplication. App-134 .:3 requests . App-134 . made known . Greek. gnorizo , See Philippians 1:22 . unto . App-104 . God . App-98 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 4:6

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.In nothing be anxious ... In Matthew 6:25-34, our Lord gave extensive admonition on the subject of anxiety; and reference is here made to the comment on those passages in my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 6:25ff. In order to avoid anxiety here, Paul followed exactly the instruction given by the Lord during his ministry.We must agree with Hendriksen that Paul's... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6. With thanksgiving,— When St. Paul directs them to join thanksgiving with prayer and supplication, in their suffering condition, he appears to have the same design before noticed; namely, to divert them from the frightful view of persecution, and to put them in mind, as he does ch. Php 1:29-30 that their being called hereunto was a gracious gift, for which they ought to be thankful. Instead of, be careful for nothing, it would be more proper to read, with Dr. Heylin, be... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 4:6

6. 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 :-). thanksgiving—for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when... read more

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