1
Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοὶ καὶ ἐπιπόθητοι, χαρὰ καὶ στέφανός μου, οὕτως στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ, ἀγαπητοί.
Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, beloved.
An inferential 'therefore' gathering the contrast of 3:17–21 (heavenly citizenship over against the enemies of the cross) to a hortatory head: stand firm. The piled-up affectionate address frames the imperative.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Ὥστεthereforeinferential conjunctionὥστε: 'so then, therefore'; here drawing a practical consequence from the preceding hope of the resurrection body.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the plural addresses the whole congregation as kin in Christ.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀγαπητοὶbelovedVocativeattributive adj. (vocative)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved, dear'; verbal adj. of ἀγαπάω, marking the objects of settled affection.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιπόθητοιlonged forVocativeattributive adj. (vocative)ἐπιπόθητος: 'longed for, yearned after'; a NT hapax built on ἐπιποθέω (1:8), conveying Paul's ardent desire for them.
χαρὰjoyNominativenominative in apposition (to the address)χαρά: 'joy'; the Philippians themselves are Paul's joy — a leading motif of the letter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στέφανόςcrownNominativenominative in apposition (to the address)στέφανος: the victor's or festal wreath (not the royal διάδημα); the congregation is Paul's eschatological reward (cf. 1 Thess 2:19).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (anaphoric)οὕτως: 'in this way'; pointing back to the example of 3:17–21 — stand firm 'in this manner.'
στήκετεstand firmPres Act Impv 2 Pl · στήκωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (settled posture)στήκω: 'stand fast' — a Koine present formed from the perfect ἕστηκα of ἵστημι; a military/athletic image of holding one's ground.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (locus of the standing)κύριος: 'Lord'; 'in the Lord' names the realm in which firmness is possible.
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativevocative of address (resumptive)ἀγαπητός: repeated to close the verse — an emphatic inclusio of affection around the command.
2
Εὐοδίαν παρακαλῶ καὶ Συντύχην παρακαλῶ τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν κυρίῳ.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
The general 'stand firm' is now particularized: two named women are each, individually, urged (the verb repeated) to share one mind — the letter's recurring φρονέω applied to a concrete rupture.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ΕὐοδίανEuodiaAccusativeaccusative (object of παρακαλῶ)Εὐοδία: a woman's name, 'good journey/prosperity'; a prominent co-worker at Philippi.
παρακαλῶI urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ iterative/customary presentπαρακαλέω: 'call alongside' — to exhort, appeal, comfort; the repetition with each name presses the appeal even-handedly on both.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣυντύχηνSyntycheAccusativeaccusative (object of παρακαλῶ)Συντύχη: a woman's name, 'fortunate/happy meeting'; the second of the two co-workers at odds.
παρακαλῶI urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (repeated)→ iterative/customary presentπαρακαλέω: the deliberate repetition addresses each woman separately, assigning blame to neither.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with αὐτό)
αὐτὸsameAccusativeobject of φρονεῖν (the same thing)αὐτός (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν): 'to think the same'; a fixed idiom for concord (cf. 2:2; Rom 12:16).
φρονεῖνto be mindedPres Act Inf · φρονέωinfinitive of indirect command (content of the urging)→ progressive present (ongoing disposition)φρονέω: 'set the mind on, be disposed'; the keynote verb of Philippians (1:7; 2:2,5; 3:15,19; 4:10) — not bare agreement but a shared orientation in Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphereκύριος: the unity sought is 'in the Lord' — grounded not in temperament but in shared allegiance to Christ.
3
ναὶ ἐρωτῶ καὶ σέ, γνήσιε σύζυγε, συλλαμβάνου αὐταῖς, αἵτινες ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ συνήθλησάν μοι μετὰ καὶ Κλήμεντος καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν συνεργῶν μου, ὧν τὰ ὀνόματα ἐν βίβλῳ ζωῆς.
Yes, I ask you also, true yokefellow, help these women, who labored side by side with me in the gospel, along with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
An affirming 'yes' enlists a third party — the 'true yokefellow' — to aid the reconciliation. A relative clause dignifies the two women as gospel co-strivers, listed with Clement and the rest whose names stand in the book of life.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ναὶyesaffirmative particleναί: 'yes, indeed'; an emphatic assent that adds urgency to the fresh request.
ἐρωτῶI askPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb→ progressive presentἐρωτάω: 'ask, request'; in Koine often a request between near-equals, softer than a command.
καὶalsoadverbial (adjunctive 'also')καί: here adjunctive, 'you too' — extending the appeal beyond the two women to a third.
σέyouAccusativeaccusative (object of ἐρωτῶ)
γνήσιεtrueVocativeattributive adj. (vocative)γνήσιος: 'genuine, true-born' (lit. of legitimate birth); marks the addressee as an authentic partner.
σύζυγεyokefellowVocativevocative of addressσύζυγος: 'yoked together,' a comrade sharing the same yoke; possibly a proper name ('Syzygus'), with γνήσιε then a pun — 'truly a Syzygus.'
συλλαμβάνουhelpPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · συλλαμβάνωmain verb (imperative)→ progressive present (sustained aid)συλλαμβάνω: 'take hold together with, assist' (σύν + λαμβάνω); the middle, 'lend a hand to them.'
αὐταῖςthemDativedat. of association (object of συλλαμβάνου)
αἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject of συνήθλησαν)ὅστις: the indefinite/qualitative relative — 'women of the sort who'; it characterizes them as proven co-laborers.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
εὐαγγελίῳgospelDativedat. of sphere (arena of their labor)εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; the cause for which they contended at Paul's side.
συνήθλησάνlabored togetherAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συναθλέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist (summing their service)συναθλέω: 'strive together,' as athletes in a contest (σύν + ἀθλέω); cf. 1:27 — the women were front-line strivers, not bystanders.
μοιwith meDativedat. of association
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
καὶalsoadverbial (adjunctive)
ΚλήμεντοςClementGenitivegenitive (object of μετά)Κλήμης: 'Clement,' a Latin name (Clemens); a co-worker at Philippi, otherwise unidentified here.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
λοιπῶνrestGenitiveattributive adj. (substantival)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the unnamed others who shared the work.
συνεργῶνfellow workersGenitivegenitive (object of μετά)συνεργός: 'co-worker, collaborator' (σύν + ἔργον); a favorite Pauline term for ministry partners.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὧνwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (possessive genitive)
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ὀνόματα)
ὀνόματαnamesNominativesubject (of implied ἐστίν)ὄνομα: 'name'; verbless clause — 'whose names [are] in the book of life.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
βίβλῳthe bookDativedat. of place (location)βίβλος: 'book, scroll'; the 'book of life' is the divine register of the elect (Exod 32:32; Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1; Rev 3:5).
ζωῆςof lifeGenitivegenitive of content/qualityζωή: '(eternal) life'; the book that records those destined for it.
4
Χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
The opening of the closing triad of imperatives (joy, gentleness, prayerfulness). The command to rejoice is doubled for emphasis — joy 'in the Lord' is not mood-dependent but Lord-dependent, hence 'always.'
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ΧαίρετεrejoicePres Act Impv 2 Pl · χαίρωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (habitual joy)χαίρω: 'rejoice, be glad'; the verb (with the noun χαρά) saturates the letter — joy is its dominant note even from prison.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (ground of the joy)κύριος: the joy is located 'in the Lord' — its object and source, which is why it can be unceasing.
πάντοτεalwaysadverb of timeπάντοτε: 'always, at all times'; the joy admits no exception of circumstance.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; the explicit repetition underscores the command's weight.
ἐρῶI will sayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ futuristic (the very next word)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'I will say'; the future here is rhetorical immediacy — Paul says it again on the spot.
χαίρετεrejoicePres Act Impv 2 Pl · χαίρωmain verb (imperative, repeated)→ customary presentχαίρω: the second imperative drives the point home — joy is commanded, not merely commended.
5
τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς.
Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near.
The second imperative of the triad. The terse 'the Lord is near' supplies the motive — whether spatially (he is at hand to help) or temporally (his coming is imminent); both readings nourish gentleness.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizing the adjective)
ἐπιεικὲςgentlenessNominativesubject (substantival adjective)ἐπιεικής: 'forbearing, yielding, equitable'; the neutral substantive denotes the disposition that does not insist on the letter of its rights — gracious reasonableness.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
γνωσθήτωlet be knownAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ ingressive aorist (let it become evident)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the passive imperative — let it be perceived by all — makes the virtue publicly visible.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adj. (dat. of reference)πᾶς: 'all, every'; the gentleness is to reach beyond the church to outsiders.
ἀνθρώποιςpeopleDativedat. of reference (those to whom it is known)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the plural with πᾶς = 'everyone.'
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (of implied ἐστίν)κύριος: 'the Lord'; echoing the Aramaic Marana tha ('our Lord, come!') — the nearness that grounds the command.
ἐγγύςis nearadverb (predicate of implied ἐστίν)ἐγγύς: 'near'; temporally (the parousia) or spatially (present help) — the ambiguity is fruitful, both senses motivating forbearance.
6
μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν·
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God;
The third imperative, cast as antithesis: not anxiety (μηδέν … μεριμνᾶτε) but prayer (ἀλλά). The cure for anxiety is the comprehensive, thankful presentation of requests to God.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
μηδὲνnothingAccusativeaccusative of respect (object of μεριμνᾶτε)μηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the negation fronted for emphasis — 'about not one thing be anxious.'
μεριμνᾶτεbe anxiousPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μεριμνάωmain verb (prohibition)→ customary present (cease/refrain from anxiety)μεριμνάω: 'be anxious, worried'; lit. 'be pulled apart' in mind (cf. Matt 6:25–34) — not the same as godly concern (cf. 2:20).
ἀλλ’butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but'; replacing anxiety with its opposite remedy.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
παντὶeverythingDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of sphere/circumstance)πᾶς: 'every(thing)'; the deliberate counterpart to 'nothing' — in every situation, prayer.
τῇtheDativearticle
προσευχῇprayerDativedat. of means/mannerπροσευχή: 'prayer' — the general word for address to God, worship and petition together.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
δεήσειsupplicationDativedat. of means/mannerδέησις: 'petition, entreaty' for a specific need; the more particular term beside the general προσευχή.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
εὐχαριστίαςthanksgivingGenitivegenitive (object of μετά; manner)εὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving, gratitude'; the indispensable accompaniment that turns petition from anxious demand to grateful trust.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with αἰτήματα)
αἰτήματαrequestsNominativesubject (of γνωριζέσθω)αἴτημα: 'thing asked, request'; the concrete petitions, to be laid out before God.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
γνωριζέσθωlet be made knownPres Pass Impv 3 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary present (habitual disclosure)γνωρίζω: 'make known, disclose'; not informing an ignorant God but the act of entrusting needs to him.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward)πρός: 'toward, to'; expressing the personal, face-to-face direction of the requests.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of πρόςθεός: God; the one to whom every request is addressed.
7
καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The καί links the promised result to the command of v.6: where anxiety is exchanged for thankful prayer, God's own peace stands sentry. The future indicative (φρουρήσει) is assurance, not exhortation.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (consecutive)καί: here near-consecutive — 'and [as a result].'
ἡtheNominativearticle
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (of φρουρήσει)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; with the Hebraic resonance of שָׁלוֹם — wholeness and well-being, here God's gift of inner calm.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/authorθεός: God; the peace originates with him (cf. 'the God of peace,' v.9).
ἡthe (which)Nominativearticle (with attributive ptc.)
ὑπερέχουσαsurpassingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ὑπερέχωattributive participle (modifying εἰρήνη)→ progressive present (continuous superiority)ὑπερέχω: 'surpass, excel, be superior' (ὑπέρ + ἔχω); the peace transcends every human power of calculation or comprehension.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adj. (with νοῦν)πᾶς: 'all, every'; no mind can fully grasp this peace.
νοῦνunderstandingAccusativeobject of ὑπερέχουσανοῦς: 'mind, understanding, intellect'; the faculty of comprehension that this peace exceeds.
φρουρήσειwill guardFut Act Indic 3 Sg · φρουρέωmain verb→ predictive future (assured promise)φρουρέω: 'guard, garrison, keep under watch'; a military term (φρουρά, a guard-post) — God's peace mounts sentry over the believer (cf. 2 Cor 11:32).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativeobject of φρουρήσεικαρδία: 'heart'; in biblical idiom the seat of will, emotion, and thought — the inner person.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle
νοήματαmindsAccusativeobject of φρουρήσεινόημα: 'thought, mental product, design'; the plural here ≈ 'thoughts/minds' — the cognitive life also kept by God's peace.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (locus of the guarding)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the guarding takes place 'in Christ Jesus' — within union with him.
ἸησοῦJesusDativedat. in apposition to Χριστῷ
8
Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε·
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any excellence and if anything praiseworthy — reckon on these things;
'As for the rest' opens the closing exhortations. A sixfold catalogue of virtues, governed by the relative ὅσα and capped by a double conditional, all gathered into the single imperative λογίζεσθε — let the mind dwell on and take account of such things.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ΤὸtheAccusativearticle (adverbial accusative)
λοιπόνfinallyAccusativeadverbial accusative (transition)λοιπός (τὸ λοιπόν): 'for the rest, finally, henceforth'; a transitional marker, not strictly 'lastly' (cf. 3:1).
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm direct address signaling a new movement.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject; correlative)ὅσος: 'as many as, whatever'; the anaphoric repetition (six times) builds a rhetorical crescendo.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (rel. clause)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'is'; the single copula serves all six relative clauses.
ἀληθῆtrueNominativepredicate adj. (neuter plural)ἀληθής: 'true, truthful, real'; conformable to reality and to God's truth.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
σεμνάhonorableNominativepredicate adj.σεμνός: 'dignified, honorable, worthy of reverence'; that which commands respect (cf. 1 Tim 3:8,11).
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
δίκαιαjustNominativepredicate adj.δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; conformed to what is right toward God and neighbor.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἁγνάpureNominativepredicate adj.ἁγνός: 'pure, holy, chaste'; untainted, morally undefiled.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
προσφιλῆlovelyNominativepredicate adj.προσφιλής: 'pleasing, agreeable, lovable' (πρός + φιλέω); a NT hapax — that which draws affection.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
εὔφημαcommendableNominativepredicate adj.εὔφημος: 'well-sounding, of good report, commendable' (εὖ + φήμη); a NT hapax — that which is admirable to speak of.
εἴifconditional conjunction (first class)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, assuming reality for argument's sake — 'if (as is so).'
τιςanyNominativeindefinite adj. (with ἀρετή)τις: 'any, some'; indefinite — 'any excellence at all.'
ἀρετὴexcellenceNominativesubject (of implied ἐστίν)ἀρετή: 'moral excellence, virtue'; the central word of Greek ethics, rare in Paul (only here), embracing the whole catalogue.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴifconditional conjunction (first class)
τιςanyNominativeindefinite adj. (with ἔπαινος)τις: 'any, some'; pairing with ἀρετή to round off the list.
ἔπαινοςpraiseworthy thingNominativesubject (of implied ἐστίν)ἔπαινος: 'praise, that which is praiseworthy'; the fitting object of commendation.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of λογίζεσθε (resumptive)οὗτος: 'these'; gathering the whole list as the object of the mind's reckoning.
λογίζεσθεreckon onPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · λογίζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (habitual reflection)λογίζομαι: 'reckon, calculate, take into account, ponder'; an accounting term — let the mind weigh and dwell upon these things.
9
ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ’ ὑμῶν.
what you also learned and received and heard and saw in me — practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you.
From contemplation (λογίζεσθε) to action (πράσσετε). A fourfold relative clause grounds the command in Paul's modeled teaching, and a promise of God's presence — 'the God of peace,' answering 'the peace of God' (v.7) — crowns it.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of the four verbs)ὅς: relative pronoun; the antecedent is Paul's whole pattern of teaching and life.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καί … καί)καί: in the καί … καί series, 'both … and'; piling up the modes of transmission.
ἐμάθετεyou learnedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · μανθάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristμανθάνω: 'learn'; the disciple's word (μαθητής) — instruction received.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρελάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · παραλαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'receive, take over' (of tradition handed on); the technical word for receiving authoritative teaching (cf. 1 Cor 15:3).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἠκούσατεyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; what they heard from Paul (and reports of him).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴδετεyou sawAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the lived example observed in Paul — teaching embodied.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reference)
ἐμοίmeDativedat. of reference (in my case)ἐγώ: emphatic 'me'; Paul presents his own conduct as the pattern (cf. 3:17).
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of πράσσετε (resumptive)οὗτος: 'these'; resuming the relative clause as the object of practice.
πράσσετεpracticePres Act Impv 2 Pl · πράσσωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (continual practice)πράσσω: 'do, practice, carry out'; habitual doing, not a single act.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (consecutive)
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of ἔσται)θεός: God; titled 'the God of peace' — the source from whom v.7's peace flows.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitivegenitive of quality/attributeεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the genitive characterizes God as the one who gives and embodies peace.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive future (assured promise)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'will be'; the promise of accompanying presence to those who obey.
μεθ’withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά: 'with'; God's covenant presence (cf. Immanuel).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive (object of μετά)
10
Ἐχάρην δὲ ἐν κυρίῳ μεγάλως ὅτι ἤδη ποτὲ ἀνεθάλετε τὸ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ φρονεῖν, ἐφ’ ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me — for which indeed you were concerned, but you had no opportunity.
A developmental δέ turns to the occasion of the letter: their gift. Paul's joy is 'in the Lord'; the horticultural verb ἀνεθάλετε ('blossomed again') pictures their care reawakening, with a gracious clause clearing them of any earlier neglect — they lacked occasion, not concern.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἘχάρηνI rejoicedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · χαίρωmain verb→ ingressive aorist (was filled with joy)χαίρω: 'rejoice'; the (deponent) aorist passive ἐχάρην — Paul's joy welled up on receiving their gift.
δὲbutdevelopmental conjunctionδέ: a mild transition, moving to a new topic.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphereκύριος: even gratitude for a gift is referred 'to the Lord' as its sphere.
μεγάλωςgreatlyadverb of degreeμεγάλως: 'greatly, exceedingly'; a NT hapax intensifying the joy.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of the joy)ὅτι: 'that'; introducing the cause/content of his rejoicing.
ἤδηnowadverb of timeἤδη: 'already, now'; with ποτέ, 'now at last.'
ποτὲat lastadverb (indefinite time)ποτέ: 'at some time'; with ἤδη conveys 'finally, at long last' — without reproach.
ἀνεθάλετεyou revivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναθάλλωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ ingressive aorist (came into bloom)ἀναθάλλω: 'bloom/sprout again, revive' (ἀνά + θάλλω, of plants); a vivid LXX word (cf. Sir 11:22) — their care flowered afresh like a plant in season.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with articular infinitive)
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, for the sake of.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (object of ὑπέρ)
φρονεῖνto be concernedPres Act Inf · φρονέωarticular infinitive (object of ἀνεθάλετε)→ progressive present (ongoing concern)φρονέω: 'set the mind on, care for'; the letter's keynote verb again — here their practical thoughtfulness for Paul.
ἐφ’for whichpreposition + dative (reference; ἐπὶ + relative)ἐπί: with the relative ᾧ, 'for which, with respect to which' — referring back to their concern for Paul.
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπί)
καὶindeedadverbial (ascensive/emphatic)καί: 'indeed, also'; emphasizing that the concern was real all along.
ἐφρονεῖτεyou were concernedImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · φρονέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary imperfect (ongoing in the past)φρονέω: the imperfect marks their concern as continuous though unexpressed — they always cared.
ἠκαιρεῖσθεyou had no opportunityImpf Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀκαιρέομαιmain verb→ customary imperfectἀκαιρέομαι: 'lack opportunity, have no fitting time' (ἀ- + καιρός); a NT hapax — they wanted the means or moment, not the will.
δέbutadversative conjunction (postpositive)δέ: 'but'; the gentle contrast that exonerates them.
11
οὐχ ὅτι καθ’ ὑστέρησιν λέγω, ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι.
Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Paul forestalls misunderstanding: his joy is not relief from want. A γάρ grounds the disclaimer — he has learned (a settled lesson) the secret of self-sufficiency, αὐτάρκεια, redefined in Christ rather than in Stoic detachment.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
οὐχnotnegative particleοὐ: 'not'; negating the clause 'that I speak from need.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (elliptical: 'not that…')ὅτι: 'that'; the idiom οὐχ ὅτι = 'not that, I do not mean that.'
καθ’frompreposition + accusative (according to/because of)κατά: with the accusative, 'according to, out of'; here 'on account of want.'
ὑστέρησινneedAccusativeobject of κατάὑστέρησις: 'lack, want, poverty' (cf. ὑστερέω); a rare word (Mark 12:44) — not material shortage prompting his words.
λέγωI speakPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ progressive presentλέγω: 'say, speak'; 'I am not saying this out of want.'
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)ἐγώ: emphatic 'I (for my part)'; foregrounding Paul's own experience.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (postpositive)γάρ: 'for'; grounding the disclaimer in his learned contentment.
ἔμαθονI have learnedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · μανθάνωmain verb→ consummative aorist (a lesson now mastered)μανθάνω: 'learn'; contentment was not native but acquired through experience.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
οἷςwhatever circumstancesDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)ὅς: relative; ἐν οἷς εἰμι = 'in the circumstances in which I [find myself].'
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'I am'; 'in whatever state I am.'
αὐτάρκηςcontentNominativepredicate adj. (with εἶναι)αὐτάρκης: 'self-sufficient, content' (αὐτός + ἀρκέω); a Stoic ideal of inner independence — but Paul's sufficiency rests in Christ (v.13), not in himself.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (object/content of ἔμαθον)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'to be'; the content of what he learned — 'to be content.'
12
οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι, οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν· ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν, καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι·
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being well-fed and going hungry, of abounding and being in need.
Paul unfolds the learned secret in balanced antitheses: low/abound, full/hungry, plenty/want. The verb μεμύημαι ('I have been initiated') borrows the language of the mystery cults — he has been let into the secret of contentment across the whole spectrum.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
οἶδαI know howPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ intensive perfect (present-state knowing)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect with present force — with the infinitive, 'I know how to.'
καὶbothcorrelative conjunctionκαί: in the paired clauses, 'both … and.'
ταπεινοῦσθαιto be brought lowPres Pass Inf · ταπεινόωinfinitive (complement of οἶδα)→ progressive presentταπεινόω: 'humble, bring low'; here of being reduced to lowly, straitened circumstances.
οἶδαI know howPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (repeated)→ intensive perfectοἶδα: the repetition balances the two extremes.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
περισσεύεινto aboundPres Act Inf · περισσεύωinfinitive (complement of οἶδα)→ progressive presentπερισσεύω: 'abound, have in abundance, overflow'; the opposite pole — prosperity.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
παντὶany [circumstance]Dativesubstantival adj. (dat. of sphere)πᾶς: 'each, any'; ἐν παντί = 'in each particular circumstance.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
πᾶσινevery [circumstance]Dativesubstantival adj. (dat. of sphere)πᾶς: plural, 'all things together'; ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν = 'in any and all situations.'
μεμύημαιI have learned the secretPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · μυέωmain verb→ intensive perfect (initiated and remaining so)μυέω: 'initiate (into mysteries)'; a NT hapax from the mystery religions — Paul has been let into the 'secret' of contentment, a settled initiation.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction
χορτάζεσθαιto be well-fedPres Pass Inf · χορτάζωinfinitive (content of μεμύημαι)→ progressive presentχορτάζω: 'feed full, satisfy with food' (orig. of fattening animals on χόρτος, fodder); 'to be sated.'
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
πεινᾶνto go hungryPres Act Inf · πεινάωinfinitive (content of μεμύημαι)→ progressive presentπεινάω: 'hunger, be hungry'; the antithesis to being filled.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
περισσεύεινto aboundPres Act Inf · περισσεύωinfinitive (content of μεμύημαι)→ progressive presentπερισσεύω: 'abound, have plenty'; restated to complete the symmetry.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
ὑστερεῖσθαιto be in needPres Pass Inf · ὑστερέωinfinitive (content of μεμύημαι)→ progressive presentὑστερέω: 'lack, fall short, be in want'; the final pole, answering περισσεύειν.
13
πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
The famous summary, asyndetic for force. 'All things' (πάντα) means the whole range of vv.11–12 — abundance and want alike. The articular participle τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντι is the secret of αὐτάρκεια: not self-sufficiency but Christ-sufficiency (later witnesses make 'Christ' explicit).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
πάνταall thingsAccusativeaccusative of respect (object of ἰσχύω)πᾶς: 'all things'; bounded by context — all the circumstances just named, not an unlimited boast.
ἰσχύωI can doPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἰσχύωmain verb→ customary present (settled capacity)ἰσχύω: 'be strong, be able, have power'; 'I have strength for all things.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)ἐν: instrumental or local — 'in/through the one who.' The whole strength is located in Christ.
τῷthe oneDativearticle (with substantival ptc.)
ἐνδυναμοῦντίwho strengthensPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ἐνδυναμόωsubstantival participle (object of ἐν)→ progressive present (continual empowering)ἐνδυναμόω: 'empower, make strong, infuse with strength' (ἐν + δύναμις); the present tense — ongoing, not a one-time endowment. The unnamed agent is Christ (so the later gloss 'in Christ').
μεmeAccusativeaccusative (object of ἐνδυναμοῦντι)
14
πλὴν καλῶς ἐποιήσατε συγκοινωνήσαντές μου τῇ θλίψει.
Yet you did well to share with me in my affliction.
Having insisted he did not need the gift (vv.11–13), Paul guards against ingratitude: πλήν ('nevertheless') turns to commend them. The aorist participle expresses the manner — by partnering in his trouble they 'did beautifully.'
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
πλὴνyetadversative conjunctionπλήν: 'nevertheless, however'; breaking off the qualification to affirm their kindness.
καλῶςwelladverb of mannerκαλῶς: 'well, beautifully, rightly'; καλῶς ποιέω = 'do well, do a good deed.'
ἐποιήσατεyou didAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make'; with καλῶς, a warm commendation of their act.
συγκοινωνήσαντέςhaving sharedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συγκοινωνέωparticiple of manner (modifying the subject)→ constative aorist (coincident with main verb)συγκοινωνέω: 'share/partner together with' (σύν + κοινωνέω); the κοινωνία motif of the letter (1:5; 4:15) — they entered into his trouble with him.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of association (with τῇ θλίψει)
τῇtheDativearticle
θλίψειafflictionDativedat. of the thing shared (object of συγκοινωνήσαντες)θλῖψις: 'pressure, tribulation, distress'; here Paul's imprisonment and hardship, into which they entered by their gift.
15
οἴδατε δὲ καὶ ὑμεῖς, Φιλιππήσιοι, ὅτι ἐν ἀρχῇ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, ὅτε ἐξῆλθον ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας, οὐδεμία μοι ἐκκλησία ἐκοινώνησεν εἰς λόγον δόσεως καὶ λήμψεως εἰ μὴ ὑμεῖς μόνοι,
And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no church partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone;
A developmental δέ recalls their long-standing generosity. The commercial idiom 'giving and receiving' (a ledger of debits and credits) and 'no church but you alone' single out the Philippians' singular, founding partnership in his mission.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ intensive perfect (present-state knowing)οἶδα: 'know'; appealing to their own memory as witnesses.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunctionδέ: continuing the topic of their generosity.
καὶalsoadverbial (adjunctive)καί: 'also, indeed'; 'you yourselves too know.'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic)σύ: emphatic 'you yourselves'; addressing them directly as witnesses.
ΦιλιππήσιοιPhilippiansVocativevocative of addressΦιλιππήσιος: 'Philippian'; the only place Paul names a church by its civic name — a touch of warm directness.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of οἴδατε)ὅτι: 'that'; introducing what they know.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἀρχῇthe beginningDativedat. of time (when)ἀρχή: 'beginning'; the early days of the gospel's coming to them and Paul's first Macedonian mission.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελίουgospelGenitivegenitive (temporal reference)εὐαγγέλιον: 'gospel'; 'the beginning of the gospel' = the start of their evangelization.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunctionὅτε: 'when'; dating the partnership to his departure from Macedonia.
ἐξῆλθονI went outAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart' (ἐκ + ἔρχομαι); Paul's leaving Macedonia for Achaia (cf. Acts 17).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
ΜακεδονίαςMacedoniaGenitivegenitive (object of ἀπό)Μακεδονία: the Roman province in which Philippi lay.
οὐδεμίαnoNominativeattributive adj. (with ἐκκλησία)οὐδείς: 'no, none'; 'not a single church.'
μοιwith meDativedat. of association (with ἐκοινώνησεν)
ἐκκλησίαchurchNominativesubject (of ἐκοινώνησεν)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the local congregation.
ἐκοινώνησενpartneredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κοινωνέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristκοινωνέω: 'share, partner, have fellowship in'; the financial sense here — entered into a giving-and-receiving partnership.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (reference)εἰς: here 'with respect to, in the matter of.'
λόγονthe matterAccusativeobject of εἰς (commercial idiom)λόγος: here 'account, reckoning' — εἰς λόγον δόσεως καὶ λήμψεως is bookkeeping language, 'on the account of giving and receiving.'
δόσεωςof givingGenitivegenitive of content (the account)δόσις: 'a giving, gift'; the credit side of the ledger.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λήμψεωςand receivingGenitivegenitive of content (the account)λῆμψις: 'a receiving' (cf. λαμβάνω); the debit side — Paul reckons their gift as a mutual transaction.
εἰexceptconjunction (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ (with μή): the fixed exceptive idiom 'except, if not.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with εἰ)μή: completing εἰ μή, 'except.'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (in apposition; exception)σύ: 'you'; the sole exception to 'no church.'
μόνοιaloneNominativeattributive adj. (predicate position)μόνος: 'only, alone'; stressing the Philippians' singular faithfulness.
16
ὅτι καὶ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς εἰς τὴν χρείαν μοι ἐπέμψατε.
for even in Thessalonica you sent more than once for my need.
A causal ὅτι substantiates 'you alone': already in Thessalonica — very early, and repeatedly ('once and twice') — they supplied his need. The detail seals their record of generosity.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because, for'; grounding the claim of v.15.
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)καί: 'even'; emphasizing how early and how soon their giving began.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΘεσσαλονίκῃThessalonicaDativedat. of placeΘεσσαλονίκη: the Macedonian capital; Paul's next stop after Philippi, where they kept supporting him (cf. Acts 17).
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)καί: with the following δίς, 'both once and twice.'
ἅπαξonceadverb of numberἅπαξ: 'once'; with δίς, an idiom for 'more than once, repeatedly.'
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
δὶςtwiceadverb of numberδίς: 'twice'; ἅπαξ καὶ δίς = 'again and again.'
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)εἰς: 'for, toward'; expressing the purpose of the sending.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χρείανneedAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)χρεία: 'need, necessity'; the practical lack their gifts met.
μοιmyDativedat. of advantage (for me)
ἐπέμψατεyou sentAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πέμπωmain verb→ constative aoristπέμπω: 'send'; they dispatched aid to him (the object 'something/aid' is understood).
17
οὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα, ἀλλὰ ἐπιζητῶ τὸν καρπὸν τὸν πλεονάζοντα εἰς λόγον ὑμῶν.
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account.
A second 'not that' (cf. v.11) refines his motive: it is not the gift he is after but its 'fruit' — the spiritual profit credited to the givers. The ledger metaphor (εἰς λόγον) continues: their generosity accrues to their own account before God.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οὐχnotnegative particleοὐ: 'not'; with ὅτι, the idiom 'not that…'
ὅτιthatconjunction (elliptical 'not that…')ὅτι: 'that'; οὐχ ὅτι again qualifies, as in v.11.
ἐπιζητῶI seekPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιζητέωmain verb→ progressive presentἐπιζητέω: 'seek after, strive for' (intensive ἐπί + ζητέω); 'I am not on the hunt for the gift.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
δόμαgiftAccusativeobject of ἐπιζητῶδόμα: 'gift, present' (cf. δίδωμι); the material donation itself.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but'; setting the true object over against the apparent one.
ἐπιζητῶI seekPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιζητέωmain verb (repeated)→ progressive presentἐπιζητέω: the repetition focuses on what he truly seeks — their good.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καρπὸνfruitAccusativeobject of ἐπιζητῶκαρπός: 'fruit'; metaphor for the spiritual return their giving yields — interest credited to them.
τὸνthe (that)Accusativearticle (with attributive ptc.)
πλεονάζονταincreasingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · πλεονάζωattributive participle (modifying καρπόν)→ progressive present (ongoing increase)πλεονάζω: 'increase, grow, abound' (cf. πλείων); the fruit keeps mounting to their credit — a growing balance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (reference)εἰς: 'to, toward'; again 'on the account of' (commercial).
λόγονaccountAccusativeobject of εἰς (ledger idiom)λόγος: 'account, reckoning'; the fruit is posted 'to your account' before God.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
18
ἀπέχω δὲ πάντα καὶ περισσεύω· πεπλήρωμαι δεξάμενος παρὰ Ἐπαφροδίτου τὰ παρ’ ὑμῶν, ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας, θυσίαν δεκτήν, εὐάρεστον τῷ θεῷ.
I have received everything in full, and I abound; I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Paul gives a formal receipt: ἀπέχω ('paid in full') was a commercial term for an acknowledged settlement. The gift is then transposed into cultic language — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice — so that their generosity is reckoned as worship pleasing to God.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἀπέχωI have in fullPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπέχωmain verb→ perfective present (settled receipt)ἀπέχω: 'have in full, receive payment in full' (ἀπό + ἔχω); a technical receipt-word in the papyri — 'paid in full, account closed.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunctionδέ: transitional, moving to the acknowledgment.
πάνταeverythingAccusativeobject of ἀπέχωπᾶς: 'all, everything'; the full sum of what they sent.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
περισσεύωI aboundPres Act Indic 1 Sg · περισσεύωmain verb→ stative presentπερισσεύω: 'abound, have more than enough'; not merely sufficient but overflowing.
πεπλήρωμαιI am fully suppliedPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · πληρόωmain verb→ intensive perfect (filled and remaining so)πληρόω: 'fill, fulfill, complete'; the perfect — 'I have been filled full,' a state now standing.
δεξάμενοςhaving receivedAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δέχομαιcausal/temporal participle→ constative aorist (antecedent)δέχομαι: 'receive, welcome, accept'; the means by which he is filled — receiving their gift via Epaphroditus.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source/agent)παρά: with the genitive, 'from (the side of)'; the human bearer.
ἘπαφροδίτουEpaphroditusGenitivegenitive (object of παρά)Ἐπαφρόδιτος: the Philippians' envoy who carried the gift and nearly died (2:25–30); the gift's courier.
τὰthe thingsAccusativesubstantival article (object of δεξάμενος)τά (παρ’ ὑμῶν): 'the things from you' — their gifts, named by a discreet circumlocution.
παρ’frompreposition + genitive (source)παρά: 'from'; identifying the gifts' origin — the Philippians.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive (object of παρά)
ὀσμὴνan aromaAccusativeaccusative in apposition (to τὰ παρ’ ὑμῶν)ὀσμή: 'smell, fragrance'; with εὐωδίας, the OT sacrificial 'pleasing aroma' (Gen 8:21; Lev 1:9 LXX).
εὐωδίαςfragrantGenitivegenitive of quality (attributive)εὐωδία: 'sweet smell, fragrance' (εὖ + ὄζω); the cultic phrase ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας marks an offering God delights in.
θυσίανa sacrificeAccusativeaccusative in appositionθυσία: 'sacrifice, offering'; the gift reckoned as an act of worship (cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 13:16).
δεκτήνacceptableAccusativeattributive adj. (with θυσίαν)δεκτός: 'acceptable, welcome' (cf. δέχομαι); the sacrifice God receives gladly.
εὐάρεστονwell-pleasingAccusativeattributive adj. (with θυσίαν)εὐάρεστος: 'pleasing, acceptable' (εὖ + ἀρέσκω); what gives God satisfaction.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of reference (to whom pleasing)θεός: God; the one to whom the sacrifice is offered and who is pleased by it.
19
ὁ δὲ θεός μου πληρώσει πᾶσαν χρείαν ὑμῶν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος αὐτοῦ ἐν δόξῃ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
And my God will supply your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The grand reciprocity: as they filled Paul's need (v.16, χρεία), so 'my God' will fill their every need. The measure is not their gift but God's inexhaustible riches in glory, channeled 'in Christ Jesus.'
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὁtheNominativearticle
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction (postpositive)δέ: linking God's supply to their giving as its counterpart.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (of πληρώσει)θεός: God; 'my God' — the personal warmth of Paul's confidence (cf. 1:3).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
πληρώσειwill supplyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πληρόωmain verb→ predictive future (assured promise)πληρόω: 'fill, fill up, supply fully'; echoing πεπλήρωμαι (v.18) — as Paul was filled, so will they be.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adj. (with χρείαν)πᾶς: 'every, all'; no need excluded.
χρείανneedAccusativeobject of πληρώσειχρεία: 'need, want'; deliberately echoing v.16 — they met his χρεία, God will meet theirs.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (measure/standard)κατά: 'according to'; the standard of supply is God's riches, not merely 'out of' them.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῦτοςrichesAccusativeobject of κατάπλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; God's boundless resources — the measure of his giving.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)ἐν: 'in glory' — either where the riches reside or the manner ('gloriously') of the supply.
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of sphere/mannerδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the heavenly, glorious realm in which God's riches are stored and dispensed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (channel of supply)Χριστός: 'Christ'; all God's supply reaches them 'in Christ Jesus,' the locus of every blessing.
ἸησοῦJesusDativedat. in apposition to Χριστῷ
20
τῷ δὲ θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ ἡμῶν ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.
Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
The mention of God's riches in glory spills over into doxology. The articular ἡ δόξα ('the glory due') is ascribed to God forever; the 'amen' seals the praise that closes the body of the letter.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
τῷto theDativearticle
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction (postpositive)δέ: here transitional, introducing the doxology.
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient (to whom glory is ascribed)θεός: God; the recipient of the praise.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (hendiadys)καί: linking the two titles of the one God — 'God and Father.'
πατρὶFatherDativedat. in apposition to θεῷπατήρ: 'Father'; 'our God and Father' — one referent, two titles.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἡtheNominativearticle (with δόξα)
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (of implied optative/εἴη)δόξα: 'glory, honor, praise'; the article — 'the glory' rightfully his — ascribed in the doxology.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)εἰς: 'unto, for'; with the temporal phrase, 'forever.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent of time)αἰών: 'age, eon'; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων is a Semitic superlative — 'to the ages of the ages,' i.e. forever and ever.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive (intensifying)αἰών: the repeated noun in the genitive heightens to absolute perpetuity.
ἀμήνameninterjection (liturgical affirmation)ἀμήν: a transliterated Hebrew word, 'truly, so be it'; sealing the doxology.
21
Ἀσπάσασθε πάντα ἅγιον ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ σὺν ἐμοὶ ἀδελφοί.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
The closing greetings begin. An imperative to greet every individual saint, followed by the greeting of those with Paul — his immediate circle of co-workers — sending their own salutation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἈσπάσασθεgreetAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (a single act of greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute, embrace'; the standard letter-closing verb of greeting.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adj. (with ἅγιον)πᾶς: 'every'; the singular 'every saint' personalizes — each one individually.
ἅγιονsaintAccusativeobject of Ἀσπάσασθε (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; a standard term for believers as those set apart to God.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphereΧριστός: 'Christ'; the saints are holy 'in Christ Jesus' — their identity is union with him.
ἸησοῦJesusDativedat. in apposition to Χριστῷ
ἀσπάζονταιgreetPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ progressive present (epistolary)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; the epistolary present — 'send their greetings.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ἀσπάζονται
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)σύν: 'with, together with'; the attributive phrase 'who are with me.'
ἐμοὶmeDativeobject of σύνἐγώ: 'me'; Paul's immediate companions.
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativesubject (of ἀσπάζονται)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; his co-workers and fellow Christians where he is held.
22
ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι, μάλιστα δὲ οἱ ἐκ τῆς Καίσαρος οἰκίας.
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
The circle widens from the brothers to 'all the saints,' then narrows with a striking note — 'especially those of Caesar's household,' converts among the imperial slaves and freedmen, a quiet sign of the gospel's reach into the heart of empire.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἀσπάζονταιgreetPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ progressive present (epistolary)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; the epistolary present continued.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ἀσπάζονται
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adj. (with οἱ ἅγιοι)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of believers where Paul is.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἅγιοι)
ἅγιοιsaintsNominativesubject (of ἀσπάζονται)ἅγιος: 'holy ones, saints'; all the local believers join the greeting.
μάλισταespeciallyadverb (superlative of degree)μάλιστα: 'most of all, especially'; singling out a notable group.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction (postpositive)δέ: mild, 'and especially.'
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizing the prep. phrase)
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/membership)ἐκ: 'from, out of'; 'those from the household of Caesar.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ΚαίσαροςCaesar'sGenitivegenitive of possessionΚαῖσαρ: 'Caesar'; the emperor — 'Caesar's household' denotes the imperial staff (slaves, freedmen, officials).
οἰκίαςhouseholdGenitivegenitive (object of ἐκ)οἰκία: 'house, household'; the familia Caesaris — the vast body of imperial servants, some now believers.
23
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
The grace-benediction that closes Paul's letters. As the letter opened with grace (1:2), so it ends — 'the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit' (some witnesses, 'with all of you').
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἩtheNominativearticle (with χάρις)
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (of implied εἴη)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the unmerited favor of Christ, invoked upon them as the letter closes.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source (the grace's giver)κύριος: 'Lord'; the grace originates with the Lord Jesus Christ.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive in apposition to ἸησοῦΧριστός: 'Christ'; completing the full title of the Lord whose grace is invoked.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετά: 'with'; the grace 'be with' them.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςspiritGenitivegenitive (object of μετά)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; 'with your spirit' = with you at the core of your being (a personal, inward benediction).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession