How does Saint Paul guide the Philippians toward supernatural peace, joyful contentment, and mutual charity in Philippians 4?

Addressing the Philippians with tender pastoral warmth as his beloved brethren, his cherished longing, and his crown of apostolic joy, Saint Paul implores them to stand resolute in the Lord. He specifically pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord, entreating his trusted companion to assist these devoted women who vigorously labored alongside him in the gospel mission, together with Clement and the rest of his fellow workers whose names are written in the book of life. Paul issues the joyful charge to rejoice in the Lord always, reiterating the call to rejoice. He commands them to make their gentle forbearance and modest moderation evident to all observers, conscious that the Lord is near. Believers must be nothing solicitous, bringing every petition, prayer, and supplication before God with genuine thanksgiving. When they do so, he asks that the peace of God, surpassing understanding, keep over their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Concluding his moral exhortation, the apostle directs their thoughts toward whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and admirable, urging them to contemplate and practice every virtue and praiseworthy discipline. By putting into active practice everything they learned, received, heard, and observed in Paul, they are assured that the God of peace will abide with them.

Paul expresses abundant joy in the Lord because the Philippians' practical concern for his welfare has blossomed anew. While acknowledging that they had always cared for him but had been busied, he explains that he does not voice this gratitude out of personal destitution. Through divine grace, he has learned the secret of complete inner contentment in whatever circumstances he finds himself: he knows how to endure humble deprivation, and he knows how to manage abundance; whether enjoying plenty or suffering pangs of hunger, whether possessing surplus or facing poverty, he has been thoroughly trained. He proclaims his triumphant confidence that he can accomplish and endure all things through Christ who infuses him with strength. Nonetheless, he praises the Philippians for their noble charity in sharing his affliction, recalling that in the early days of preaching the gospel after his departure from Macedonia, their community alone entered into a partnership of giving and receiving with him, sending material aid repeatedly even during his stay in Thessalonica. Paul emphasizes that he does not crave the material gift itself, but rather seeks the spiritual dividend that accumulates to their eternal credit before God. Having received their generous assistance through Epaphroditus, Paul has all he needs and abounds, declaring their gift to be a fragrant spiritual offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God. He prays that his God may supply all their want according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Offering glory to God the Father forever and ever, Paul sends greetings to every saint in Christ Jesus, conveying salutations from the brethren, from all the saints, and especially from those believers serving within Caesar's household, concluding with his prayer that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirit.

The edition explains the virtue list as general moral precepts: truth in words, promises and lawful oaths with sincere heart; modest manners, dress and conversation; fair, honest buying, selling, trade and business; sanctity and chastity for vowed religious and clergy, and divine-commandment virtue for people in the world. Lovely conduct means good offices gaining neighbors’ esteem, and good fame means edifying them by example. Virtue and discipline may lead people in error toward conversion. Thinking on these things is the study and concern of all Christians, so God’s peace may be with them. This explanation is the edition’s commentary, rather than an additional passage spoken by Paul.