The Meaning of Philippians 1:4 Explained

Philippians 1:4

KJV: Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

YLT: always, in every supplication of mine for you all, with joy making the supplication,

Darby: constantly in my every supplication, making the supplication for you all with joy,

ASV: always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Always  in  every  prayer  of mine  for  you  all  making  request  with  joy, 

What does Philippians 1:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul"s imprisonment limited his ministry to the Philippian church, but he still prayed for his brethren in Philippi. His prayers were full of joy as he petitioned God for the saints there. Joy is a recurring motif in Philippians where the joy word group appears16 times. The Greek word translated "prayer" (deesis) refers to requests. Several years of absence from these Christians had not led Paul to drop them from his prayer list. Every time Paul prayed for them, he did so with thanksgiving.

Context Summary

Philippians 1:1-11 - Rejoice In Growth And Seek Increase
It is exceedingly difficult to compress this Epistle, which is the tenderest and most personal of them all. Every word merits consideration; every paragraph is full of linked sweetness long drawn out. In the opening verses we are taught that we may further the gospel, not only by direct efforts, but by helping those who, like the Apostle, are devoted to its spread. From the early beginnings of their friendship, this Church had never faltered in its loving gifts, which Paul sought to repay with prayers on their behalf. He regarded them as comrades fighting the same enemy, on the same field, and sharing in the same grace.
The Apostle's confidence that whatever God begins will have its perfect end, Philippians 1:6, is very reassuring. This is what we need, though we must not take it for granted apart from faith and prayer. Each of the Epistles has its "collect," its comprehensive prayer offered in the name of Christ. This one is especially beautiful. Abounding love will lead to increased knowledge; and this to quicker discrimination between things that differ, however similar they may appear; and this, in turn, to freedom from blame and offense. And all will result in the fruit of a holy life, pleasing to Jesus and bringing glory and praise to God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 1

1  Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9  daily praying for their increase in grace;
12  he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21  and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27  exhorting them to unity;
28  and to fortitude in persecution

Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:4

With joy [μετα χαρας]
Keynote of the Epistle. Paul is a happy prisoner as in Philippi when he and Silas sang praises at midnight though in prison (Acts 16:25). [source]
Prayer [δεήσει]
Rev., better, supplication. See on Luke 5:33. [source]
For you all []
Connect with every prayer of mine. [source]
Request [τὴν δέησιν]
Rev., better, my supplication. The article refers to every supplication. [source]
With joy []
Joy is the keynote of this epistle. Bengel says: “The sum of the epistle is, 'I rejoice, rejoice ye.”' See Phlippians 1:18, Phlippians 1:25; Phlippians 2:2, Phlippians 2:17, Phlippians 2:18, Phlippians 2:28, Phlippians 2:29; Phlippians 3:1; Phlippians 4:1, Phlippians 4:4, Phlippians 4:10. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 1:4 mean?

always in every supplication of me for all of you with joy the supplication making
πάντοτε ἐν πάσῃ δεήσει μου ὑπὲρ πάντων ὑμῶν μετὰ χαρᾶς τὴν δέησιν ποιούμενος

πάντοτε  always 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάντοτε  
Sense: at all times, always, ever.
πάσῃ  every 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
δεήσει  supplication 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: δέησις  
Sense: need, indigence, want, privation, penury.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
χαρᾶς  joy 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: χαρά  
Sense: joy, gladness.
δέησιν  supplication 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δέησις  
Sense: need, indigence, want, privation, penury.
ποιούμενος  making 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.