4:12a

I know how to live humbly: Paul knew what it was like not to have the things he needed. He was capable of living with very little.

I know how: This has two possible meanings:

(1) “I know how…”; that is, this means the same as “I have learned to be content” in 4:11b. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) “I know by experience” or “I have experienced [need]”. (New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version).

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was expanding what he has said in 4:11. In this verse he was giving specific examples.

to live humbly: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to live humbly can be understood as referring to two things:

(1) It refers to a lack of physical resources such as food, clothes and money. (New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) It refers to a mental state and means that Paul was humbled or humiliated. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

4:12b

I know how to abound: Paul had experienced times when he had lacked things he needed, but he had also had times when he had had enough. And he had learned ho to be satisfied or content in both sets of circumstances.

I know: This has the same two possible meanings as in 4:12a and you should interpret it in the same way in both parts of the verse.

4:12c

I am accustomed to any and every situation: Here Paul repeated the main idea of what he had said in 4:11b. He had learned to be happy no matter what happened to him.

I am accustomed to: Paul was not talking here about learning something “secret,” something unknown to other people. He just meant that he had learned “how to…”

any and every situation: The Greek phrase here can be literally translated as “in every and in all.” This can be interpreted in different ways.

(1) “Every” and “all” both refer to circumstances or situations. Together they mean “all sorts of situations”. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(2) “Every” and “all” refer to different things. For example:

anywhere, at any time (Good News Translation) (New Century Version, King James Version, Good News Translation)

It is recommend that you follow interpretation (1).

4:12d

to being filled and being hungry: Paul had learned to be satisfied whether he had plenty of food or not enough food. Consider whether it would be a more natural order in your language to reverse the order and say “…whether hungry or filled.”

4:12e

to having plenty and having need: Paul was content whether he had all he needed or less than he needed. He was repeating the main idea of what he said in 4:12a–b.

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 2:1–4

Since Christ has shown the Philippians how much he loves them, they should love one other, agree with one another and be humble.

2:1–4 is one long sentence in the Greek. In your translation you may need to divide this into several shorter sentences.

2:1

There is no verb in 2:1 in the Greek text. Berean Standard Bible has supplied “have” in the first phrase, but you may need to supply a verb for each of the four parts of the verse. Paul used these four conditional or “if” clauses (or phrases) to make his appeal to the Philippians very strong. What he was asking them to do is in 2:2a: “make my joy complete.”

Paul used the Greek word ei in each of the four parts of 2:1. It literally means “if.” But in this context Paul was not expressing any doubt that these things were true. He was assuming that they were true. If your word for “if” is only used in a conditional sense, you will need to use another connecting word here, for example, “since.” See the first Meaning Line in the Display for 2:1a, 2:1b, 2:1c, and 2:1d.

These four phrases have a strong emotional effect, and Paul’s basic aim in writing them was to motivate the readers to follow his instructions in 2:2–4. Look for a way in your language to express the emotional appeal and the strong feeling that Paul showed here. Try not to lose the emotional force by making long sentences in an attempt to explain the exact meaning. One possibility is to use rhetorical questions. For example, in 2:1a:

Does being united to Christ encourage you? ⌊Of course it does!⌋

If you use rhetorical questions, you will need to use them in each part of this verse. See the second Meaning Line in the Display for 2:1a, 2:1b, 2:1c, and 2:1d.

Another way to translate 2:1 is to use short statements. For example:

1 You are united to Christ and this encourages you. Christ loves you and this gives you comfort. You have fellowship with the Spirit. And there is tenderness and compassion.

If you do this, you will need to begin 2:2 with a phrase to connect it with all these statements in 2:1. For example:

2 Since all these things are true, make my joy complete….

2:1a

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Therefore indicates that what follows is the result of what preceded. Some English versions do not use a connector here. Use the expression that is most natural in your language.

if you have any encouragement in Christ: A literal translation of the Greek here is “If any encouragement in Christ…” But in many languages, a verb will be needed (as it is in English). The context implies you have (as the Berean Standard Bible uses) or “you receive” here.

encouragement: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as encouragement comes from a verb that means “to comfort, encourage, cheer up.” It is not possible to translate encouragement as a noun in every language. If you need to translate it with a verb, you could say:

if you are encouraged/comforted because you are united with Christ
-or-
if being united with Christ encourages/comforts you
-or-
if Christ has encouraged you by uniting you with himself

in Christ: The Berean Standard Bible translates the Greek phrase literally as in Christ. People who are joined with Christ because they trust him are in Christ. They belong to him, they let him have control of their lives.

2:1b

comfort from His love: In Greek, the noun love has no possessive pronoun (His). This means that commentators disagree about what love Paul was talking about here. There are four main possibilities:

(1) Christ’s love for the Philippians.

(2) Paul’s love for the Philippians.

(3) The Philippians’ love for Paul.

(4) The Philippians’ love for one another.

Many English versions do not make it clear what love is being referred to (for example, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible), but those which do make it clear, follow the first option—Christ’s love for the Philippians (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version). Since the exact meaning of the Greek is not clear, it may be preferable to leave it more general in your translation, if you can do so. However, if in your language you must provide a subject and an object for love, it is recommended that you also follow option (1). Believers do not have to worry even in difficult times because they know that Christ loves them.

2:1c

fellowship with the Spirit: The Greek is literally “fellowship of the spirit.” This may refer to

(1) the fellowship that believers have with the Spirit. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) the fellowship that the Spirit helps believers to have with each other. (Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

fellowship: The Greek word here is koinōnia, which means “sharing,” “participating,” “having a part in ⌊something⌋.” This Greek word has several related meanings. For example, it can refer to people sharing with one another or doing something with one another, or people joining together with others in some way. The sense in this verse has to do with participation in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells within and ministers to all believers.

the Spirit: Most commentators and versions agree that this refers to the Spirit of God. You may need to translate the phrase the Spirit as “the Holy Spirit” or “the Spirit of God” or “God’s Spirit” in order to make it clear to whom it is referring.

2:1d

affection and compassion: These two words can refer to two different feelings or to a way of expressing a single emotion. Most commentaries interpret the two words as two distinct but related ideas. The phrase affection and compassion has been understood as describing

(1) how Christ felt toward the Philippians (SSA, O’Brien);

(2) how the Philippians felt toward one another or toward Paul. (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

If you need to translate affection and compassion as verbs, you will probably need to give a subject. Interpretation (1) is the most likely to be what Paul meant, and it is recommended that you follow it. Christ loved the Philippians and pitied them. He demonstrated this when he died on the cross to save them.

affection: This is the same word as was used in 1:8. The Greek word literally refers to the “insides of the body.” It means the “affections,” “the feelings of the heart,” “the center of a person’s emotions.” In this verse it means to be tender toward someone, to be kind and gentle to them.

compassion: The Greek word here means “pity, mercy, sympathy.”

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Paragraph 3:12–16

Paul wanted the Philippians to have the same attitude as he did, the attitude he had as he earnestly tried to become all that God wanted him to be.

3:12a

Not that I have already obtained all this: This phrase means “I do not mean that I have already done all these things.”

obtained: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obtained means to achieve something or to accomplish something.

all this: In the Greek text there is no object for the verb “to obtain.” That is, Paul does not say explicitly what he wanted to obtain. However, in many languages including English it is necessary either to supply an object or to use a verb which does not require an object. So the Berean Standard Bible has used all this as object, whereas the Good News Translation has used the verb “succeed” which in English does not need an object:

I do not claim that I have already succeeded. (Good News Translation)

There are several possible ways to understand what Paul wanted to obtain.

(1) It refers to all the things about which Paul had been talking in 3:9–11. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers specifically to the words “know Christ” in 3:10. Paul did not yet know Christ as fully as he wanted to.

(3) It refers back to “the resurrection from the dead” in 3:11.

(4) It refers to the perfection Paul mentioned in 3:12b. (NET Bible, New Century Version)

Interpretation (1) is recommended. Paul was thinking about his life’s goal of knowing Christ and all that was involved in becoming like him.

One way you could translate 3:12a is:

I am not implying/saying that I have already achieved/accomplished all this.

3:12b

or have already been made perfect: The Greek word teleios that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perfect could have one of two meanings in this context:

(1) Paul had not yet become a perfect person. God’s work in him was not yet finished. He was not yet completely righteous. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(2) Paul had not yet reached the goal that he talked about in 3:14. (New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

3:12c

but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me: Paul was trying very hard to become more and more like Christ, because that is Christ’s purpose in choosing him.

press on: The Greek word here literally means “run after” or “go after” in the sense of pursuing something. Paul was using a metaphor here to say that he was trying hard to be like Christ, just as a runner tries hard to win a race and get the prize.

take hold of: This is from the same Greek root word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “obtained” in 3:12a. The form here means “to get something for yourself.”

that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me: There are two ways to understand the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that for which :

(1) It has its literal meaning “for which.” 3:12c can then be stated as Christ took hold of Paul in order that Paul would know him and become like him, as is discussed in 3:9–11. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It has an idiomatic meaning “because.” It gives the reason why Paul was pressing on, and it means “because Christ Jesus took hold of me”. This interpretation requires that an object be supplied after “I press on to take hold of…,” such as “the goal.” (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:23

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit: Paul ended many of his letters with a form of blessing or prayer. The form varied from letter to letter. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:28 and Philemon verse 25.

grace: The idea of grace here implies both physical and spiritual blessing. It refers to God being kind and favorable toward people.

be with your spirit: It seems that Paul used the phrase be with your spirit here as meaning simply “be with you” or “be with you all” (see 4:23 in Good News Translation). He was probably using the singular word translated spirit to refer to the group of believers in Philippi as a whole, as a unified group. But he also could have been using the singular form to apply his blessing to each individual in the group. See also Galatians 6:18; 2 Timothy 4:22 and Philemon verse 25.

(New International Version🙂 Amen: See note on 4:20. The word amēn is in some Greek manuscripts here and not in others. The King James Version, New American Bible, and New International Version include it, but the Berean Standard Bible and some other modern English versions omit it. You must decide whether you want to include this ending (Amen) in your translation. It is recommended that you follow the national language version in this.

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 2:12–18

Believers should obey God so that they show other people how God wants people to behave

Paul reminded the Philippian believers that when they obeyed God as Jesus did (2:6–8), God would help them to give the gospel to those in spiritual darkness. As long as they were faithful, Paul knew that his work and even his suffering would not be in vain.

Paragraph 2:12–13

The Philippian believers should follow the example of Christ by continuing to obey God and by acting as people whom God has saved. God would give them the power to do this.

In these verses Paul taught about what God does and what Christians do in relation to being saved and doing what is pleasing to him.

The wording in 2:12–13 in the Display is based partly on the SSA.

2:12a

Therefore: This connecting word seems to refer back to Christ’s example of obeying God and God exalting Christ (2:6–11). So it means: “In view of Christ obeying God and God exalting Christ, you also work out….”

my beloved: The Greek literally means “my beloved ⌊ones⌋.” This phrase shows Paul’s affection for the Philippians. There are three ways that Paul addressed the Philippian believers. In the Berean Standard Bible they are translated as “saints” (1:1), “brothers” (1:12, 3:1, 3:13, 3:17, 4:1, 4:8), and “my beloved,” and “whom I love” (2:12, 4:1). In some languages the translations of beloved and “brothers” are almost the same. You could translate the Greek phrase here as:

my dear friends
-or-
my dear fellow believers
-or-
brothers ⌊and sisters⌋ whom I love

In some languages a term of address such as this must come at the beginning of the sentence.

obeyed: It is not clear what the implied object of the verb obeyed is. There are three possible interpretations as to whom the Philippians had always obeyed: (1) God. This would mean that Paul was saying “you have always obeyed God”. (New Century Version)

(2) Paul. This would be translated as “you have always obeyed me” or “…my instructions”. (Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004))

(3) The gospel. This could be translated as “you have always obeyed the good news.”

Paul may have meant any (or all) of these. If your language requires an object to the verb, you will need to choose here. In this case it is recommended that you choose “God” as the object.

2:12b

not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence: In the Greek it is not clear how these two phrases connect to the rest of the verse. There are three possibilities:

(1) They relate only to the verb “work out” (2:12c). One way to translate this would be:

Therefore, my dear friends, since you have always obeyed ⌊God⌋, therefore continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. ⌊Do this working out⌋ not only when I am with you, but much more now that I am not with you. (Revised Standard Version)

(2) They relate only to the verb “obeyed” (2:12a). One way to translate this would be:

“So then, dear friends, since you always obeyed ⌊God⌋ when I was with you, it is even more important that you continue to obey now, while I am not with you. Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

(3) The first phrase relates to “obeyed” and the second to “work out.” One way to translate this would be, as Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English:

“So then, my dear friends, since you always obeyed ⌊God⌋ while I was with you, now in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English) (New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Interpretation (1) has stronger support from the commentaries and seems to be preferable in this context. It is therefore recommended that you follow it.

2:12c

continue to work out your salvation: There are two interpretations of this phrase:

(1) Each believer had an individual responsibility to work out the salvation that he had already received.

(2) The believers were responsible to work out their salvation as a community.

Interpretation (1) has stronger support. This does not mean that the Philippians should save themselves. They should live in a way that showed to others that God had already saved them.

Be sure you make the verb you use here a command and make it clear that it is the main verb in this verse. This is important because 2:13 relates back to this command.

your salvation: Three passages in Philippians (1:6; 2:12; 3:7–14) show how Paul understood the way God saves people and what their responsibility is. In this verse, salvation includes the whole process of salvation. It starts with God bringing people to repent and believe, continues with him making them holy, and will conclude when he brings them to heaven.

It may be possible to translate this whole phrase as “Work hard so your salvation will be complete.” But in some languages it may be necessary to translate salvation as a verb. The second Meaning Line in the Display shows a way to do this.

with fear and trembling: This phrase is not talking about two separate things. The trembling is a sign of the fear. Using trembling as a verb, the phrase could be translated as “trembling with/from fear.” This means that all believers should be afraid of sinning. They should fear that they might disobey God and fail him. This phrase also suggests that they should revere God and highly respect him.

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.