What Does Philippians 1:4 Mean in the King James?

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Philippians 1:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The request itself already carries joy; gladness is present before any answer appears.

THE MEANING

You are held in prayer as a whole company, and the request for you is joined to joy. Need and gladness can inhabit the same act.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that bringing a request means attention is fixed only on what is missing.

THE ROOT

χαρά

chara

GROWS FROM

χαίρω

chairō

to rejoice, be glad

The Greek word for joy belongs to the same word family as the verb for rejoicing and the word for favor or thanks. That connection lets joy here carry the sense of gladness held close to gratitude, even while a request is being made.

ALSO GROWS

chairō: rejoice, be glad

χαίρω

This verb shares the word family of ⁨χαρά⁩, making the joy in the verse an active gladness rather than a distant outcome.

charis: favor, goodwill; in some contexts, thanks

χάρις

Its kinship with joy brings gratitude and favor near the joy accompanying this request.

THE PATTERN

Joy and request can share one act of prayer while need is still being named.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:12 · KJVRejoicing and ongoing prayer stand together even while tribulation remains.

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Psalm 86:4 · KJVThe speaker asks for joy within the prayer itself.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 · KJVJoy, continual prayer, and thanks are held together as a continuing way of life.

THE THREAD

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:12 · KJV

“Rejoicing” is ⁨χαίρω⁩ (chairō, “rejoice”), from the same word family as ⁨χαρά⁩ (chara, “joy”) in this verse. Romans places that rejoicing beside continuing prayer even in tribulation, showing the two can inhabit the same moment.

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