“Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,”
Always in every supplication of mine for you all making my petition with joy — the fourfold emphasis ('always,' 'every,' 'all,' 'my') underscores the totality and consistency of his intercession. Despite imprisonment and uncertainty, joy characterizes his prayer life, anticipating the letter's dominant theme. Supplication (deēsis, petition) is not abstract but concrete intercession for their needs. The joy here is not denial of suffering but triumph through it.
Church Fathers on Philippians 1:4
“I thank my God,” he says, “upon all my remembrance of you.” He said in another of his writings, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief.” Hebrews 13:17 If then the “grief” be due to the wickedness of the disciples, the doing it “with joy” would be due to their advancement. As often as I remember you, I glorify God. But this he does…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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