Philippians 4:6

Commentary on Philippians 4:6

Text (KJV):
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

1. Exegetical Commentary

🌿 The Immediate Context: Philippians Chapter 4

Paul writes Philippians from imprisonment, yet the chapter overflows with joy, steadiness, and confidence in the Lord. Philippians 4[i] calls believers to stand firm, rejoice, pursue unity, think rightly, and practise faithful obedience. The exhortation in verse 6 sits within a pastoral call to a life shaped by the peace of God.

Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Joy is not grounded in circumstances but in the Lord Himself.

Philippians 4:5

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Gentleness flows from knowing the Lord is near—both in presence and in His promised return.

Into this context comes verse 6, a command that addresses the anxious heart.

2. Phrase-by-Phrase Exegesis of Philippians 4:6

“Be careful for nothing”

The word “careful” in the KJV means “anxious” or “full of care.” Paul is not dismissing legitimate concern or responsibility. He is forbidding the kind of inward fretting that distrusts God’s character and sovereignty.

This aligns with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25:
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life…”
Here “take no thought” means “do not be anxious.”

Paul’s command is pastoral, not harsh. He knows anxiety is a real human struggle, but he directs believers to a better way.

“But in every thing”

Nothing is too small or too large to bring before God. The Christian tradition emphasises God’s providence over all things, which means all things may be prayed about.

“By prayer and supplication”

Paul uses two words deliberately:

• Prayer: general communion with God, acknowledging His presence and power.
• Supplication: specific requests, earnest pleas for help.

Together they describe a life of dependent, humble trust.

“With thanksgiving”

Thanksgiving is not an optional extra. It is the posture of faith. Gratitude acknowledges God’s past faithfulness and His present goodness, even before the answer comes.

This echoes 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

“Let your requests be made known unto God”

God already knows our needs, yet He commands us to bring them to Him. Prayer is not informing God but entrusting ourselves to Him.

This is relational, not mechanical. The God who is “at hand” (Philippians 4:5) invites His children to speak openly and honestly.

---

3. Theological Insights

✝️ 1. God’s Sovereignty and Human Anxiety

Christian theology emphasises that God is sovereign over all things. Anxiety often arises when we forget this. Paul’s command assumes a God who rules, cares, and listens.

✝️ 2. Prayer as an Act of Faith

Prayer is not a technique but a confession:
“I cannot carry this, but God can.”

✝️ 3. Thanksgiving as Spiritual Warfare

Thanksgiving pushes back against fear, entitlement, and forgetfulness. It anchors the believer in God’s unchanging character.

✝️ 4. The Peace of God as the Fruit of Obedience

Philippians 4:7 follows immediately:
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Peace is not self-generated; it is God’s gift to those who pray.

---

4. Meditation Guide

🕊️ Step 1: Slow Reading

Read Philippians 4:6 aloud several times.
Let each phrase settle in your mind.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

🕊️ Step 2: Reflective Questions

• What anxieties am I carrying that I have not brought to God?
• Do I believe God cares about “every thing” in my life?
• Where has God shown faithfulness in the past that I can thank Him for today?

🕊️ Step 3: Prayer Practice

Use the structure Paul gives:

Prayer

Acknowledge who God is.
“Father, You are sovereign, wise, and good.”

Supplication

Name your concerns honestly.
“Lord, I am anxious about… I need Your help in…”

Thanksgiving

Recall God’s past mercies.
“Thank You for sustaining me, providing for me, and never leaving me.”

🕊️ Step 4: Rest in God’s Promise

Meditate on Philippians 4:7:
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Let this promise quiet your heart.

---

5. Application to Modern Christian Living

🌱 1. Anxiety is addressed through relationship, not self-reliance

Paul does not say, “Try harder not to worry.”
He says, “Bring everything to God.”

🌱 2. Prayer is a daily discipline

Modern life is fast, noisy, and anxious.
Paul’s instruction calls for intentional slowing and turning toward God.

🌱 3. Thanksgiving reshapes perspective

Gratitude is countercultural in an age of complaint and comparison.
It trains the heart to see God’s hand in all things.

🌱 4. God invites honesty

Believers do not need to sanitise their prayers.
God welcomes raw, real requests.

🌱 5. Peace is a divine gift

Christians are not promised a life free from trouble, but they are promised God’s guarding peace.

---

[i] Philippians 4

King James Version

4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.