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Philippians 4:7

4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

KJV

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And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

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

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

4:8 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. honest: or, venerable

What does Philippians 4:7 mean?

Paul promises that when anxiety is turned into prayer, God's own peace — beyond our understanding — will stand guard over heart and mind in Christ.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." This is the promise attached to the command of the previous verse.

Context

In Philippians 4:6 Paul tells believers not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer. Verse 7 is the result: not necessarily changed circumstances, but a guarding peace. It flows directly from prayer, not from getting what we asked.

Key words

"The peace of God" is God's own settledness given to us, distinct from mere calm. It "passeth all understanding" — it both surpasses our ability to comprehend it and outlasts our attempts to reason our way to calm. "Keep" (phroureo) is a military word: peace posts a garrison around "your hearts and minds."

How it has been read

Christians have treasured this as the companion to verse 6: we do the praying; God gives the peace. The guard is set "through Christ Jesus" — the peace is not a technique but a gift rooted in our union with him, who is himself "our peace" (Ephesians 2:14).

Greek interlinear

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Andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
the
peaceεἰρήνηeirene/i-ray'-nay/G1515probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
of
God,θεόςtheos/theh'-os/G2316of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
whichὁ ἡ τόhoG3588he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
passethὑπερέχωhuperecho/hoop-er-ekh'-o/G5242from 5228 and 2192; to hold oneself above, i.e. (figuratively) to excel; participle (as adjective, or neuter as noun) superior, superiority:--better, excellency, higher, pass, supreme.
allπᾶςpas/pas/G3956including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
understanding,νοῦςnous/nooce/G3563probably from the base of 1097; the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning:--mind, understanding. Compare 5590.
shall
keepφρουρέωphroureo/froo-reh'-o/G5432from a compound of 4253 and 3708; to be a watcher in advance, i.e. to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); figuratively, to hem in, protect:--keep (with a garrison). Compare 5083.
yourσύhumon/hoo-mone'/G5216genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
heartsκαρδίαkardia/kar-dee'-ah/G2588prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
mindsσύhumon/hoo-mone'/G5216genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
throughἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
ChristΧριστόςChristos/khris-tos'/G5547from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
Jesus.ἸησοῦςIesous/ee-ay-sooce'/G2424of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.

Commentary on Philippians 4:7

HENRY_FULL · Philippians 4:7
-p" In this chapter, I. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties of children and parents, and of servants and masters, ver. 1-9 . II. He exhorts and directs Christians how to behave themselves in the spiritual warfare with the enemies of their souls; and to the exercise of several Christian graces, which he proposes to them as so many pieces of spiritual armour, to preserve and defend them in the conflict, ver. 10-18 . III. We have here the conclusion of the epistle, in which he takes his leave of them, recommending himself to the prayers of the believing Ephesians, and praying for them, ver. 19-24 . Duties of

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 20:12

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 27:16

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Proverbs 20:20

Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. lamp: or, candle

Jeremiah 35:18

And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Ezekiel 22:7

In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow. oppression: or, deceit

Malachi 1:6

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Matthew 15:4

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Mark 7:9

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. reject: or, frustrate

Romans 13:7

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Topics

Care, WorldlyPeace, Spiritual

People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Philippians 4:7.

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 10:32

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Matthew 2:20

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Frequently asked questions

What does Philippians 4:7 say?

Philippians 4:7 (King James Version) reads: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Is Philippians 4:7 in the Old or New Testament?

Philippians 4:7 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Philippians.

Reflect

As you read Philippians 4:7, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Philippians 4:7
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