1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3Yes, 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.
4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Book of Life (Gk. τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς, to biblio tes zoes). (13:8; Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27*) Strong’s 976
This phrase is used seven times in the NT, all but one (Phil 4:3) in the book of Revelation. Unlike in this verse, four of the uses are anarthrous (do not use definite articles). The only example in the OT is Ps 69:28. The book of life clearly records the names of individuals, and every individual ever to live is evaluated as to inclusion in the book. It appears that names may be erased from the book (Rev 3:5; Ps 69:28), yet some are not included in the book “from the foundation of the world.” In this verse, the book of life is identified as belonging to the “Lamb that was slain.” This verse and Rev 20:15; 21:27 indicate that the list is of those who are saved. It is difficult to put these details together, but it may be that the names are established in the book from before the foundation of the world, but in the course of each person’s life, there may come a time when it becomes evident that they are not in the book, which is tantamount to being erased. Could it be that from God’s perspective, He began with all names in the book and then erased certain ones, before the foundation of the world? And from a temporal perspective, the absence of one’s name in the book (erasure) is at some point demonstrated.