Philippians · Chapter 4 · Gratitude
Philippians 4:4 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”"
KJV · King James Version
"Rejoice5463 in1722 the Lord2962 alway3842: and again3825 I say2046, Rejoice5463."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses alway, and, while the WEB renders these as always, will. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Philippians 4:4 in Philippians 4
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Philippians 4:4 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Philippians 4. Read the full chapter →
- v.2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
- v.3 Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- v.4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”
- v.5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
- v.6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Book background
About the Book of Philippians
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 61–62 AD
- Audience
- The church at Philippi — Paul's most affectionate relationship
- Chapters
- 4
Philippians is Paul's joy-saturated thank-you letter from prison. It contains the great Christ-hymn (2:5-11) describing his self-emptying and exaltation, the call to rejoice always (4:4), the secret of contentment "in any and every situation" (4:11-13), and the assurance that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion" (1:6).
Setting: Written from Roman imprisonment.
Key themes: joy · humility · partnership · contentment · Christ
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Philippians 4:4
Philippians 4:4 contains 10 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say
RITLAA
- 2
“Rejoice!”
R
Frequently asked
FAQ about Philippians 4:4
What does Philippians 4:4 say?
Philippians 4:4 reads: "Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”" — from the New Testament, Philippians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Philippians 4:4 in?
Philippians 4:4 is in the book of Philippians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 61–62 AD. Philippians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The church at Philippi — Paul's most affectionate relationship. Best known for "I can do all things through Christ" and the Christ-hymn (2:5-11).
What is Philippians 4:4 about?
Philippians 4:4 is primarily a Bible verse about Gratitude. Within Philippians, Philippians is Paul's joy-saturated thank-you letter from prison. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Philippians 4:4 in WEB and KJV?
Philippians 4:4 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Rejoice5463 in1722 the Lord2962 alway3842: and again3825 I say2046, Rejoice5463.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Philippians 4:4?
Philippians 4:4 is 10 words in the WEB translation (56 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 3 seconds.
How can I memorise Philippians 4:4?
To memorise Philippians 4:4, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Philippians 4:4 matter in Philippians?
Philippians is Paul's joy-saturated thank-you letter from prison. It contains the great Christ-hymn (2:5-11) describing his self-emptying and exaltation, the call to rejoice always (4:4), the secret of contentment "in any and every situation" (4:11-13), and the assurance that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion" (1:6). Philippians 4:4 sits within this larger story — Philippians as a whole emphasises joy, humility, partnership.
How can I apply Philippians 4:4 today?
Many readers use Philippians 4:4 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Philippians 4:4 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Psalms 118:24
“This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
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-
Psalms 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.”
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-
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”
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-
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”
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-
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
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-
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don…”
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-
Job 1:21
“He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.””
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-
Malachi 3:10
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the…”
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-
Luke 6:38
““Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you meas…”
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-
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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Philippians 4:6-7
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which sur…”
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Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
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Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,…”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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