World English Bible · Under Rome
Philippians 4
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Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and , stand firm in in this way, my beloved. I exhort , and I exhort , to think the same way in . Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the with also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the . Rejoice in always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!" Let your gentleness be known to all men. is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by and petition with , let your requests be to . And the peace of , which surpasses all , will guard your and your in Christ . Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are , whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of , think about these things. Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the of peace will be with you. But I rejoice in greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. However you did well that you shared in my affliction. You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that of the , when I departed from , no shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. For even in you sent once and again to my need. Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing to . My will supply every need of yours according to his riches in in Christ . Now to our and be the and ever! . Greet every saint in Christ . The brothers who are with me greet you. All greet you, especially those who are of household. The of be with you all. .
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.