Philippians 1:25

1:25 And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress ¹  and joy in the faith, ² 

Philippians 2:16

2:16 by holding on to ³  the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

Philippians 2:25

2:25 But for now ⁴  I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, ⁵  coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger ⁶  and minister ⁷  to me in my need. ⁸ 

Philippians 4:12

4:12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, ⁹  whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.

Philippians 4:18

4:18 For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.

[1:25]  ¹ tn Grk “for your progress.”

[1:25]  ² sn Paul’s confidence in his release from prison (I know that I will remain and continue with all of you) implies that this Roman imprisonment did not end in his death. Hence, there is the likelihood that he experienced a second Roman imprisonment later on (since the belief of the early church was that Paul died under Nero in Rome). If so, then the pastoral letters (1-2 Tim, Titus) could well fit into a life of Paul that goes beyond any descriptions in the book of Acts (which ends with Paul’s first Roman imprisonment). Some have argued that the pastorals cannot be genuine because they cannot fit into the history of Acts. But this view presupposes that Paul’s first Roman imprisonment was also his last.

[2:16]  ³ tn Or “holding out, holding forth.”

[2:25]  ⁵ tn Grk “But.” The temporal notion (“for now”) is implied in the epistolary aorist (“I have considered”), for Epaphroditus was dispatched with this letter to the Philippians.

[2:25]  ⁶ tn Grk “my brother” instead of “For he is my brother.” Verse 25 constitutes one sentence in Greek, with “my brother…” functioning appositionally to “Epaphroditus.”

[2:25]  ⁷ tn Grk “apostle.”

[2:25]  ⁸ tn The Greek word translated “minister” here is λειτουργός (leitourgo").

[2:25]  ⁹ tn Grk “servant of my need.”

[4:12]  ⁷ tn The words “of contentment” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by Paul’s remarks at the end of v. 11.