Philippians 4:5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Philippians 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Philippians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let your moderation be known unto all men, etc.] The Vulgate Latin reads, “your modesty”. The Syriac and Arabic versions, “your meekness”, or “humility”; graces which accompany moderation, and are very necessary to it, but not that itself. The Ethiopic version renders it, “your authority”, which by no means agrees; for moderation lies not in exerting authority and power to the uttermost, at least with rigour, but in showing clemency and lenity; not dealing with men according to the severity of laws and strict justice, but according to equity, and with mildness and gentleness; giving up strict and proper right, receding from what is a man's due, and not rigidly insisting on it; putting up…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“moderation--from a Greek root, "to yield," whence yieldingness [TRENCH]; or from a root, "it is fitting," whence "reasonableness of dealing" [ALFORD], that considerateness for others, not urging one's own rights to the uttermost, but waiving a part, and thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. The archetype of this grace is God, who presses not the strictness of His law against us as we deserve (Psa 130:3-4); though having exacted the fullest payment for us from our Divine Surety. There are included in "moderation," candor and kindliness. Joy in the Lord raises us above rigorism towards others (Phi 4:5), and carefulness (Phi 4:6) as to one's own affairs. Sadness produces morose…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let your moderation be known unto all men - That is, let it be such that others may see it. This does not mean that they were to make an ostentatious display of it, but that it should be such a characteristic of their lives that it would be constantly visible to others. The word “moderation” - ἐπιεικὲς epieikes - refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness - They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Let your gentleness - Yieldingness, sweetness of temper, the result of joy in the Lord. Be known - By your whole behaviour. To all men - Good and bad, gentle and froward. Those of the roughest tempers are good natured to some, from natural sympathy and various motives; a Christian, to all. The Lord - The judge, the rewarder, the avenger. Is at hand - Standeth at the door. Philippians 4:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:5 Believers are to be considerate in their responses to others, even in persecution. They can afford to leave justice in God’s hands because they know the Lord is coming soon (cp. Jas 5:8-9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“your: Mat 5:39-42, Mat 6:25, Mat 6:34; Luk 6:29-35, Luk 12:22-30, Luk 21:34; Co1 6:7, Co1 7:29-31; Co1 8:13, Co1 9:25; Tit 3:2; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6; Pe1 1:11 The: Mat 24:48-50; Th1 5:2-4; Th2 2:2; Heb 10:25; Jam 5:8, Jam 5:9; Pe1 4:7; Pe2 3:8-14; Rev 22:7, Rev 22:20 Philippians 4:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification