Philippians 4 with Metaphysical Footnotes (ASV)

^4:1Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.

^4:2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. ^4:3Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement1 also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

^4:4Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.2 ^4:5Let your forbearance3 be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ^4:6In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ^4:7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

^4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things4 are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ^4:9The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me,5 these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

1. Clement. Metaphysically, the gentle, soothing, releasing (tender, merciful mild, kind) quality of the word in its calming, equalizing, healing activities in the consciousness. Although Clement of Alexandria lived much later, his temperament aligns well with this interpretation, particularly in comparison to Origen, who followed him.
2. again I will say, Rejoice. We were created to be happy and we should render praise to God regardless of moods or events.
3. forbearance. To forbear to enforce one's “rights” is a splendid exercise in the development of the higher will.
4. whatsover things... If we turn our thoughts away from the outer appearance and toward the spiritual, dwelling on the good in ourself and others, all the apparent evil will first drop out of your thoughts and then out of our life. Verse 8 in chapter 4 is complete in itself, requires no metaphysical interpretation and will always be an up-to-date guide for people in all moral and religious states of consciousness.
5. learned, received, heard, saw in me. Paul represents the word of the Spirit of truth. The converted Paul (formerly Saul, the will) becomes, by the power of the word, the most active thought in the establishment of good throughout our being.

^4:10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. ^4:11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.^4:12I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret1 both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. ^4:13I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. ^4:14Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.

^4:15And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; ^4:16for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. ^4:17Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.2 ^4:18But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. ^4:19And my God shall supply3 every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.4 ^4:20Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1. I learned the secret. The possession of poise and equanimity under extremes, whether of good or ill.
2. that increaseth to your account. The law of Giving and Receiving. In exchange for light, and guidance into spiritual knowledge, the followers of the apostle of the Christ gladly gave of their support and sustenance.
3. my God shall supply. A study of the Bible reveals the fact that God intends that His children shall have an abundance of the good things of life.
4. according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. "God is a ceaseless flow of substance, and no matter what the extent of the need, Universal substance can easily supply it. But there is one thing God cannot do. God cannot supply lack. This is because lack is a state of mind, and the condition cannot be remedied until the state of mind is altered. Eric Butterworth, Spiritual Economics, p14.

^4:21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. ^4:22All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar's household.

^4:23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.