Charles Ellicott Commentary Philippians 4:20

"Now unto our God and Father [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen." — Philippians 4:20 (ASV)

Now to God and our Father . . .—The doxology of this verse seems suggested by the very use of “glory” in the previous verse. “Glory” may be derivatively the privilege of man; but “the glory” (for the original has the article here)—the essential and incommunicable glory—must be ascribed to God alone. Whether we supply the word “is” or “be” here does not matter. It is His; let it be ascribed to Him.

Such doxologies are common with St. Paul (Galatians 1:5; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:18); always with the addition of “for ever and ever,” or literally, for the ages of the ages, throughout every age until time is no more; always in close connection with some declaration, not so much of the majesty, as of the wisdom, and still more the goodness, of the Father.

Philippians 4:21–23 contain the salutation and blessing. The salutation is very brief, as compared, for example, with the corresponding passage in the Colossian Epistle (Colossians 4:10–15), naming none, either of those saluted or those joining with St. Paul in the salutation. The omission in the latter case may perhaps be accounted for by the words above (Philippians 2:20–21), in which, with the single exception of Timothy, St. Paul declares dissatisfaction with those near him, because “all seek their own, and not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”