Paul wrote “Be careful for nothing” from a prison cell. Philippians 4 and the peace that makes no sense

The man telling the Philippians not to worry was chained to a Roman guard. That is the first thing to know about Philippians 4.

Paul wrote the letter to the church at Philippi while imprisoned, most likely in Rome, awaiting a trial whose outcome could be death. He mentions his “bonds” several times, and says that his imprisonment has become known “in all the palace” (Philippians 1:13). Yet the letter is full of joy. The word and its forms appear again and again.

The instruction

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). In the old English of the King James Version, “careful” means full of care, or anxious. Modern translations put it as “Do not be anxious about anything.”

Paul does not tell his readers to pretend their problems do not exist. He tells them where to take them: to God, in prayer, “in every thing”. Nothing is too small or too big.

With thanksgiving

The detail that is easy to miss is “with thanksgiving”. Paul asks believers to thank God while they are still asking. Gratitude changes the shape of worry. It reminds the one praying of what God has already done.

The promise

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (4:7). The word translated “keep” was a military term for guarding. Paul, guarded by soldiers, describes God’s peace as a guard around the heart and mind.

The peace “passeth all understanding” because it does not depend on circumstances. It does not arrive when the problem is solved. It arrives while the problem is still there.

What to think about

Paul follows with a list: “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… think on these things” (4:8). Anxiety feeds on imagined worst cases. Paul redirects the mind.

Contentment

A few verses later he says: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (4:11), and “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (4:13). The famous verse 13 is about contentment in hunger and plenty, not about winning.

For today

Write down what is worrying you. Pray over each item, and add something you are thankful for next to each one.

Paul did not know whether he would leave prison alive. He still wrote the word “rejoice”.