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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Philippians 4:6 - 4:6
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6. μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε. “In nothing be anxious,” R.V. Nihil solliciti sitis, Vulg. Sorget nichts, Luther. On the etymology of μεριμνᾶν, and on the thought here, see above on Php 2:20. The mental action here blamed is there (in Timothy) commended; a discrepancy harmonized by the different conditions contemplated in the two places. Here the saints are enjoined never to forget their Lord’s attention and loving power, and in that spirit to meet every trial to inward peace. Cp. Psalms 55 (LXX., 54):22, ἐπίρριψον ἐπὶ κύριον τὴν μέριμνάν σου (יְהָבְךָ): 1Pe 5:7, πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν ἐπιρρίψαντες ἐπʼ αὐτόν, ὅτι κτλ.: 1Co 7:32, θέλω ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. See the warnings against μέριμναι τοῦ αἰῶνος, μ. βιωτικαί, Mar 4:19; Luk 21:34.
ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ. The all-inclusive positive exactly answers the all-inclusive negative, μηδὲν. Cp. πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν, κτλ., 1Pe 5:7.
τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει. Προσευχή and δέησις occur together, in LXX., e.g. Psa 6:9, εἰσήκουσε κύριος τῆς δ. μου, κύριος τὴν π. μου προσεδέξατο: in N.T., Eph 6:18, διὰ πάσης π. καὶ δ. προσευχόμενοι: here: 1Ti 2:1, παρακαλῶ ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς: 1Ti 5:5, προσμένει ταῖς δεήσεσι καὶ ταῖς π. Προσενχή is the larger word, and always sacred; it includes all varieties of worship; our “prayer” thus nearly corresponds to it, though we occasionally use “prayer,” “pray,” in mundane connexions. Δέησις has no limitation to religious uses, and is the narrower word; “request,” petition for desired benefits. (See Trench, N.T. Syn., s.v. προσευχή.) Not that the distinction is to be much pressed in an accumulation like this; practically he means to emphasize the one thought of a reverent approach to God about our needs.
μετὰ εὐχαριστίας. Cp. Col 2:7, περισσεύοντες ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ: Php 3:15, ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ βραβευέτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν … καὶ εὐχάριστοι γίνεσθε: Php 4:2, τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε, γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ: 1Ti 2:1, παρακαλῶ … ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς … εὐχαριστίας. “The temper of the Christian should always be one of thanksgiving … The Psalms, in Hebrew, are the Praises (תְּהִלִּים). All prayer ought to include the element of thanksgiving, for mercies temporal and spiritual” (Bp Perowne).—The privilege of access to God is itself an abiding theme of praise.
γνωριζέσθω. Exactly as if He needed information. HE, not we, must reconcile such action on our part with His Infinity. True faith will rest (and act) on such a precept, with little anxiety about the rationale; and Scripture is full of illustrations and encouragements, from the prayers of the patriarchal saints (e.g. Genesis 18, 24) onwards.