Philippians 4:3

Authorized King James Version

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐρωτῶ

G2065

I intreat

to interrogate; by implication, to request

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σέ

G4571

thee

σύζυγε

G4805

yokefellow

co-yoked, i.e., (figuratively) as noun, a colleague; probably rather as a proper name; syzygus, a christian

γνήσιε

G1103

true

legitimate (of birth), i.e., genuine

συλλαμβάνου

G4815

help

to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid

αὐταῖς

G846

those women

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

αἵτινες

G3748

which

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

#10

ἐν

G1722

are in

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#11

τῷ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#12

εὐαγγελίῳ

G2098

the gospel

a good message, i.e., the gospel

#13

συνήθλησάν

G4866

laboured

to wrestle in company with, i.e., (figuratively) to seek jointly

#14

μοι

G3427

with me

to me

#15

μετὰ

G3326

with

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

#16

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#17

Κλήμεντος

G2815

Clement

merciful; clemes (i.e., clemens), a christian

#18

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#20

λοιπῶν

G3062

with other

remaining ones

#21

συνεργῶν

G4904

fellowlabourers

a co-laborer, i.e., coadjutor

#22

μου

G3450

of me

#23

ὧν

G3739

whose

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#24

τὰ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#25

ὀνόματα

G3686

names

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

#26

ἐν

G1722

are in

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#27

βίβλῳ

G976

the book

a scroll

#28

ζωῆς

G2222

of life

life (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on life address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

Related Resources

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Topics

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