The Meaning of Philippians 1:3 Explained

Philippians 1:3

KJV: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

YLT: I give thanks to my God upon all the remembrance of you,

Darby: I thank my God for my whole remembrance of you,

ASV: I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I thank  my  God  upon  every  remembrance  of you, 

What does Philippians 1:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Christians in Philippi always caused Paul to give thanks to God when he prayed for them at his set times of prayer. [1] All of Paul"s epistles begin with a similar commendation except Galatians. This thanksgiving is particularly warm.

Context Summary

Philippians 1:1-11 - Rejoice In Growth And Seek Increase
It is exceedingly difficult to compress this Epistle, which is the tenderest and most personal of them all. Every word merits consideration; every paragraph is full of linked sweetness long drawn out. In the opening verses we are taught that we may further the gospel, not only by direct efforts, but by helping those who, like the Apostle, are devoted to its spread. From the early beginnings of their friendship, this Church had never faltered in its loving gifts, which Paul sought to repay with prayers on their behalf. He regarded them as comrades fighting the same enemy, on the same field, and sharing in the same grace.
The Apostle's confidence that whatever God begins will have its perfect end, Philippians 1:6, is very reassuring. This is what we need, though we must not take it for granted apart from faith and prayer. Each of the Epistles has its "collect," its comprehensive prayer offered in the name of Christ. This one is especially beautiful. Abounding love will lead to increased knowledge; and this to quicker discrimination between things that differ, however similar they may appear; and this, in turn, to freedom from blame and offense. And all will result in the fruit of a holy life, pleasing to Jesus and bringing glory and praise to God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 1

1  Paul testifies his thankfulness to God, and his love toward the Philippians,
9  daily praying for their increase in grace;
12  he shows what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome;
21  and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death;
27  exhorting them to unity;
28  and to fortitude in persecution

Greek Commentary for Philippians 1:3

Upon [επι]
Basis of the thanksgiving. [source]
All [πασηι]
Note frequent use of “all” here The use of “you all” recurs several times (Phlippians 1:4, Phlippians 1:7 bis, Phlippians 1:8). [source]
Every remembrance [πάσῃ τῇ μνείᾳ]
Better, as Rev, all my remembrance. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 1:3 mean?

I thank the God of me upon every - remembrance of you
Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ μνείᾳ ὑμῶν

Εὐχαριστῶ  I  thank 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εὐχαριστέω  
Sense: to be grateful, feel thankful.
Θεῷ  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
πάσῃ  every 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μνείᾳ  remembrance 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: μνεία  
Sense: remembrance, memory, mention.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.