Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 1:4

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

4. every prayer ] every request. The Greek word is narrower than that, e. g. Eph 1:16, which includes the whole action of worship. See below on Php 4:6.

for you all ] See, for the same phrase, or kindred words, Php 1:7-8; Php 1:25, Php 2:17; Php 2:26. We seem to see, in this emphasis on the word “ all,” a gentle reference to the danger of partizanship and divisions at Philippi. See Introduction, p. 19.

request ] Lit. and better, the request just mentioned.

with joy ] These words strike the key-note of a main strain of the Epistle. They are here the emphatic words of the sentence. He illustrates the assurance of his thankfulness for them by saying that every request for them is lighted up with happiness. For St Paul’s joy over his converts’ consistency cp. 2Co 2:3; 2Co 7:4 ; 2Co 7:13; below, Php 2:2, Php 4:1 ; 1Th 2:19-20; 1Th 3:9; Phm 1:7.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Always – There is much emphasis in the expressions which are used here. Paul labors to show them that he never forgot them; that he always remembered them in his prayers.

In every prayer of mine – This was a proof of particular and special affection, that while there were so many objects demanding his prayers, and so many other churches which he had founded, he never forgot them. The person or object that we remember in every prayer must be very dear to the heart.

For you all – Not for the church in general, but for the individual members. He industriously repeats the word all, that he might show that he loved them all equally well, and that he might the more successfully excite them to the manifestation of the same love and benevolence – Wetstein.

Making request with joy – With joy at your consistent walk and benevolent lives – mingling thanksgiving with my prayers in view of your holy walk.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Php 1:4-5

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy

I.

The quality of the apostles prayer.

1. Prayer may be varied according to the spiritual mood of the suppliant. In some instances prayer may hardly rise beyond a mere duty; in other cases it may become the supreme joy of the heart.

2. The mood need not impair the sincerity. You may pursue the same journey through a thick and troubled atmosphere, as well as through the brightness and calm of the summer light; the path is the same, the goal is the same, the purpose is the same, yet in the one case the soul may sit as a bird with folded wings, and in the other it may be soaring and singing through the streaming glory.

II. Its object. Fellowship in the gospel I take to mean unanimity, entireness of accord, and I see no reason why the apostle himself should not be included in that fellowship.

1. The centralizing influence of Gods redeeming and sanctifying idea. No agent, principle, doctrine, has done, or can do, so much in the education and consolidation of heart power as the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul thanks God for their mutual accord, and this may exhaust the grammatical significance of his language; but the fact that he is joyfully thankful for this unanimity brings us into the presence of the sublime idea–

2. That Christianity is the most influential of all heart-uniting forces.

(1) Men who are one in Christ are united in the highest ranges of their nature. They are not one necessarily in the lower and temporary appetences of their manhood, but in the vitalities of their being.

(2) Death cannot break the seal that binds the friendships of the good.

(3) Distance cannot divide the sympathetic. Paul is in Rome; his friends are at Philippi; but in the great globe heart of the apostle Rome and Philippi are but different names of the same place. The union of the Church is guaranteed by the immortality of the principles on which it is founded. The moral is the immortal. (J. Parker, D. D.)

The joy of the faithful minister over the progress of the gospel

I. Joy always.

II. Joy is every prayer.

III. Joy overall. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Pure joy

I. Springs from Divine communication.

II. Succeeds a previous sorrow.

III. Is superior to human surroundings.

IV. Is sustained by answered prayer. (G. C. Ballard.)

Intercession for others

I. An exalted privilege.

II. A holy duty.

III. A happy employment. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Present rewards of Christian work

I. Work done creates grateful remembrances.

II. Grateful remembrances create a zest for prayer.

III. Prayer deepens joy. (G. G. Ballard.)

Fellowship and progress

I. Fellowship.

1. The bond of union–Christ. The attraction was irresistible to all who had come near enough to feel the force of the magnet of Divine love. This power directed all faculties, possessions, desires, in the same course. As He had not lived for Himself neither did they. The result was brotherly union. As all the rivers flow to find one common rest in the sea, so their melted hearts ran into the one fellowship–the Church. Here they found protection from the chill of the world and the storm of persecution. Weak faith was strengthened; the timid heart emboldened; unity begat strength and numbers, and augmented influence. The communal life brought together a vast capital to be invested in the cause which was so dear to their own heart.

2. Concerted action. The Christian communities existed as much, if not more, for external labour as for internal edification. As no Christian lived to himself, the whole Church could not possibly confine its wealth of power and influence within its Own circle. They lived one for another that all might live for the salvation of the world. The idea generally attached to a community is that it exists exclusively for the benefit of its own order, but the Christian society is built on the principle of give in order to receive. The Christians at Philippi met for prayer and for general improvement, in order to give the light of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus to the world.

3. The transmission of moral influence is only possible through sympathetic media. The best cable chain would not convey an electric message any distance, but a small copper wire would do so round the globe. Divine truth must proceed from the heart of the Church, and be anointed with the unction of pure motives and tender sympathies, to accomplish its mission among men. The experimental expression of the truth is the most powerful and successful.

II. Perseverance–from the first day until now. The converts had not relapsed into idolatry, nor were any idolatrous practices incorporated in their worship. They had resisted all worldly influences. The converts held on their way, progressing in knowledge and the Christian graces. When the apostle looked towards this Church, he saw signs of growth and increased vigour.

1. True Christian fellowship absorbs the whole man, thought, desire, association, and progression. It is the family of God, with ample room for the development of human nature. Of all fruitfulness, true manhood is the greatest. The consummation of fellowship is found in the man Christ Jesus.

2. Christian fellowship absorbs all time and service. From the first day to the last, and from the last day on through eternity its bonds are unrelaxed. It is not a temporary engagement, but an everlasting covenant. Some of its forms must undergo changes, but its essence is the same, even fellowship with the Father and the Son, and communion with the saints. (Weekly Pulpit.)

Our fellowship in the gospel

I. How originated.

II. What it implies.

III. What it requires. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

True gospel fellowship

1. Lives which adorn it.

2. Hearts which beat for it.

3. Lips which testify for it.

4. Hands which work for it.

5. Gifts which extend it. (G. G. Ballard.)

Pauls activity and prayerfulness

While his life was one of unexampled activity, it was also one of continual prayerfulness. These two aspects of his life are mutually explanatory. His activity was unwearied, just because his prayerfulness was unceasing. His religion was a life, and the heart of that life was prayer. The risen and exalted Saviours words uttered regarding him at his conversion held good ever afterwards: Behold, he prayeth. As a good soldier of Jesus Christ, he had all prayer as the weapon of his warfare. (J. Hutchinson, D. D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 4. Always in every prayer] I pray often for you, and have great pleasure in doing it, seeing what God has already wrought among you.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

As in praising of God, the Author of all that grace they had received, in every solemn prayer, so in continuing his fervent and assiduous requests unto God always, 1Th 5:17, for them all: the term all being used three times emphatically: compare Luk 2:37; Rom 1:9.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

4. making requestTranslate,”making my request.”

for you allThefrequent repetition in this Epistle of “all” with “you,”marks that Paul desires to declare his love for all alike, andwill not recognize any divisions among them.

with joythecharacteristic feature in this Epistle, as love is in that tothe Ephesians (compare Phi 1:18;Phi 2:2; Phi 2:19;Phi 2:28; Phi 3:1;Phi 4:1; Phi 4:4).Love and joy are the two first-fruits of the Spirit.Joy gives especial animation to prayers. It marked his highopinion of them, that there was almost everything in them to give himjoy, and almost nothing to give him pain.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Always in every prayer of mine for you all,…. The apostle was a praying believer, and a praying minister: notwithstanding all his gifts, and graces, and high attainments, he was not above the work and duty of prayer, and in which he was sensible he stood in need of the assistance and direction of the Spirit of God, As soon as he was converted he prayed, and continued to do so without ceasing, as he himself directs; he was constant and assiduous at the throne of grace, and was concerned for others, as well as himself, for all the churches, and for this church, and all the saints in it.

Making request with joy; for what God had done for them, and continued with them. Requests are to be made known to God with thanksgiving. When we request a favour of him, it becomes us to return thanks for what we have received from him. Thanksgiving is a branch of prayer; as we have always mercies to ask for, we have always mercies to be thankful for.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

With joy ( ). Keynote of the Epistle. Paul is a happy prisoner as in Philippi when he and Silas sang praises at midnight though in prison (Ac 16:25).

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

1) “Always in every prayer of mine” (pantote en pase deesel mou) “Always in every petition of mine.” Paul petitioned, stormed the throne of grace often on behalf of the Philippian church and bishops and deacons in colleague with them, Heb 4:15-16.

2) “For you all” (huper panton humon) “On behalf of you all.” Note Paul believed that prayers of saints to God, on behalf of other saints, would be granted, 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:16.

3) “Making request with joy” (meta charas ten deesin poioumenos) “Continually making the petition with joy or gladness,” so much like the church began its witnessing ministry and fellowship, Act 2:42; Act 2:46-47.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

4 Always in every prayer. Connect the words in this manner: “ Always presenting prayer for you all in every prayer of mine. ” For as he had said before, that the remembrance of them was an occasion of joy to him, so he now subjoins, that they come into his mind as often as he prays. He afterwards adds, that it is with joy that he presents prayer in their behalf. Joy refers to the past; prayer to the future. For he rejoiced in their auspicious beginnings, and was desirous of their perfection. Thus it becomes us always to rejoice in the blessings received from God in such a manner, as to remember to ask from him those things that we are still in need of.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

Devout recognition of the richness of Philemon’s Christian character, Php 1:4-7.

From this point all are forgotten but Philemon, who is addressed in the second person singular. And preparatory to the great request of Php 1:10 Paul testifies the high tone of Philemon’s Christianity, grounding the request in his Christian fellowship.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

4. Prayer and request are the same word in the Greek: in every prayer making prayer for you.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments