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Bible chapter guide
Philippians 4
Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 'Rejoice in the Lord alway'; do not be anxious, but in everything make your requests known to God, and his peace will guard your hearts. He thanks them for their gift: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'
Summary written for the Labs; read the chapter itself for the full text.
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The letter: who wrote it, where and when
These questions are debated; the views are shown side by side with how sure each is, as in Paul's Roads.
- Textually stated
Philippians was written from prison, but which prison is debated.
Paul writes in chains (1:7, 13). Rome is the traditional answer; Ephesus and Caesarea are serious alternatives. The lab sets the three side by side.
- Plausible
Philippians written from Rome
The traditional view: Acts 28:30–31 has Paul two years under guard in Rome, free to receive visitors, and the letters mention Caesar's household and the praetorian guard (Philippians 1:13; 4:22).
- Plausible
Philippians written from Ephesus
Paul speaks of many imprisonments and of deadly peril in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8; 11:23), and Ephesus lies close to Colossae and Philippi for the many journeys the letters assume; but Acts records no imprisonment at Ephesus.
- Plausible
Philippians written from Caesarea
Paul was held two years at Caesarea (Acts 24:27) with friends allowed to visit him (24:23); a minority reading places some prison letters there.
How sure can we be?
- Plausible
Ephesians written from Rome
The traditional view: Acts 28:30–31 has Paul two years under guard in Rome, free to receive visitors, and the letters mention Caesar's household and the praetorian guard (Philippians 1:13; 4:22).
- Plausible
Colossians written from Rome
The traditional view: Acts 28:30–31 has Paul two years under guard in Rome, free to receive visitors, and the letters mention Caesar's household and the praetorian guard (Philippians 1:13; 4:22).
- Plausible
Philemon written from Rome
The traditional view: Acts 28:30–31 has Paul two years under guard in Rome, free to receive visitors, and the letters mention Caesar's household and the praetorian guard (Philippians 1:13; 4:22).