Philippians 4:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This glory belongs not only to the Son, but also to the Father. When the Son is glorified, the Father also is glorified.

Since he had said that this happens to the glory of Christ, he added this lest anyone imagine His glory alone: "Now to our God and Father be glory." That is, the very glory that is given to the Son.

Since he said, "to the glory of the Son," he added that the glory of Christ is also the glory of the Father.

Here the Apostle makes no distinction, but speaks generally: "Now to our God and Father be glory unto the ages of ages." In speaking of God, he has fear in mind. In speaking of the Father, he has reverence in mind, and besides this, the beginning of all.

Here the Apostle glorified the Father alone, but elsewhere he glorifies the Son alone. For he says, "From whom is Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen" (Rom 9:5).

But there he does not separate the Father from the Son, nor here the Son from the Father. Rather, he offers a common hymn to the divine nature.

The Apostle says that he "rejoiced greatly" when he saw new proofs of the Philippians' care for him. Although he is in need of nothing, for he "knows how to live both in want and in abundance, and can do all things in Jesus Christ who strengthens him," their kindness is pleasing to him.

They stood out from all the churches, and more than once before they had sent him what he needed. The Apostle accepted the present gift, sent with Epaphroditus, "as fragrant incense, a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God."

"My God shall supply every need of yours." Thus the Apostle concludes his thanksgiving, sending up eternal glory to God and the Father for the Philippians.

As though repaying the Philippians' earthly gifts with a spiritual gift, the Apostle prays that all the blessings they need may be granted to them through Jesus Christ, to the glory of God, which must be offered up unto the ages of ages.

According to Saint John Chrysostom's explanation, "The Apostle Paul here adds the same thing as in the Epistle to the Corinthians, saying: 'He who gives seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed' (2 Cor 9:10).

For he prays for them that they may have abundance and have something to sow. There is nothing improper in praying that people who use their possessions in this way should have sufficiency and abundance.

In the greeting that the Apostle sets forth next, he mentions, among others, the believers from Caesar's household. In all probability these were lower palace servants.

This is the conclusion not only of the preceding thought, but of the whole Epistle.

"Now to our God," not only the great, unsearchable, and unapproachable God, but also our Father, who is readily accessible. He drew near to us in His incarnate Son, and in the same Son brought us near to Himself.

He did this as to sons by grace, begotten by the Holy Spirit. To such a God and Father be glory for all things and from all, unto the ages of ages.

"Amen" means: so be it. May all recognize His bounties and glorify Him with lips and heart, both in this life and beyond the grave.