Philippians 1:4

“Always in every prayer of mine for you all, etc.] The apostle was a praying believer, and a praying minister: notwithstanding all his gifts, and graces, and high attainments, he was not above the work and duty of prayer, and in which he was sensible he stood in need of the assistance and direction of the Spirit of God, As soon as he was converted he prayed, and continued to do so without ceasing, as he himself directs; he was constant and assiduous at the throne of grace, and was concerned for others, as well as himself, for all the churches, and for this church, and all the saints in it. Making request with joy; for what God had done for them, and continued with them. Requests are to be…”

“making request--Translate, "making my request." for you all--The frequent repetition in this Epistle of "all" with "you," marks that Paul desires to declare his love for all alike, and will not recognize any divisions among them. with joy--the characteristic feature in this Epistle, as love is in that to the Ephesians (compare Phi 1:18; Phi 2:2, Phi 2:19, Phi 2:28; Phi 3:1; Phi 4:1, Phi 4:4). Love and joy are the two first-fruits of the Spirit. Joy gives especial animation to prayers. It marked his high opinion of them, that there was almost everything in them to give him joy, and almost nothing to give him pain.”

“Always - There is much emphasis in the expressions which are used here. Paul labors to show them that he never forgot them; that he always remembered them in his prayers. In every prayer of mine - This was a proof of particular and special affection, that while there were so many objects demanding his prayers, and so many other churches which he had founded, he never forgot them. The person or object that we remember in every prayer must be very dear to the heart. For you all - Not for the church in general, but for the individual members. “He industriously repeats the word ‘all,’ that he might show that he loved them all equally well, and that he might the more successfully excite them to…”

“With joy - After the epistle to the Ephesians, wherein love reigns, follows this, wherein there is perpetual mention of joy. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy." And joy peculiarly enlivens prayer. The sum of the whole epistle is, I rejoice. Rejoice ye. Philippians 1:5”

“1:4-6 Paul’s joy derived from how the Philippians had joined him as partners in spreading the Good News and from his confidence that God would continue his good work in them.”

“in: Phi 1:9-11; Rom 1:9; Eph 1:14-23; Th1 1:2 with: Phi 2:2, Phi 3:18, Phi 4:1; Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10; Col 2:5; Th1 2:19, Th1 2:20; Plm 1:7; Jo2 1:4 Philippians 1:5”