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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philippians 4:15 - 4:20
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_4:15-20
15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Php_4:15-16 This has been understood to be a contradiction to 2Co_11:8-9, which implies that the other churches of Macedonia also helped Paul. However, the time element is significant. Paul is saying that at this particular time no other church besides this church at Philippi had helped him. Paul was very hesitant to accept financial contributions (cf. 1Co_9:4-18; 2Co_11:7-10; 2Co_12:13-18; 1Th_2:5-9; and 2Th_3:7-9).
Php_4:15 "You yourselves also know" This is an emphatic "you" and a perfect active indicative. Paul shared himself with this church and they reciprocated.
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NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving"
TEV "shared my profits and losses"
NJB "made common account with me in the matter of expenditure and receipts"
There is a series of commercial terms in Php_4:15-18 which can be verified and defined from the Koine Greek papyri found in Egypt and the ostraca (broken pottery used as writing material). This first one was a banking term for an open account.
Paul was acutely aware of the problems caused by money. As a rabbi he was not allowed to take money for his teaching. The false accusations by the factions at Corinth reinforced his need to refuse monetary help from the churches. Paul must have felt uniquely comfortable with this congregation.
Php_4:17 "I seek. . .seek" This is a very strong Greek term used twice to show Paul's ambiguous feelings about his thanksgiving for the gift and yet his not actively seeking their help. He realized that they would receive a blessing from God for their stewardship and generosity in the gospel. For this he was glad.
▣ "the profit which increases to your account" This is another commercial metaphor which refers to the interest that accrued and was deposited in another's account. Giving to gospel causes results in gospel blessings (cf. Php_4:19).
Php_4:18 "I have received everything in full," This is another business term for a receipt of a payment in full. Paul felt this church had done everything expected and far more. (The use of the term "abound" or "abundance" and the prefect passive indicative "amply supplied").
▣ "Epaphroditus" He was the Philippian church's representative sent to deliver the monetary gift and stay on to help Paul (cf. Php_2:25-30).
▣ "a fragrant aroma; an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" This came from an OT metaphor of an accepted sacrifice on the altar of burnt offerings (cf. Gen_8:21; Exo_29:18; Exo_29:25; Exo_29:41; Lev_1:9; Lev_1:13; Eze_20:41). This same type of metaphor is used by Paul in 2Co_2:15 and Eph_5:2.
The help given to Paul as a minister of the gospel is in reality given to God and will be repaid and blessed by Him!
Php_4:19 "My God shall supply all your needs" This is not a blank check from God! "Needs" must be defined. This must be seen in light of the principles of spiritual giving found in 2 Corinthians 8, 9, particularly 2Co_9:6-15. This is not a promise that can be taken out of context and be applied to every human desire. In this context it relates to Paul's provision for ministry. God will always supply those who are generous givers with more to give. This does not mean that they will have more for personal use, but more to give to gospel causes!
▣ "according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" It must be remembered that this whole chapter is motivated by the work of Christ and that all that is accomplished in the Christian life is by the help of the Lord, "in the Lord," (cf. Php_4:1-2; Php_4:4). All of God's blessings come through Christ.
Php_4:20 "to our God and Father be glory forever and ever" This is very similar to Paul's closing prayer in other books. The term "forever and ever" is literally "to the ages of the ages," which is a Greek idiom for "forever." See Special Topic: Paul's Praise, Prayer, and Thanksgiving at Eph_3:20.
The description of God as Father is one of the greatest truths of the Bible (cf. Hosea 11). The family metaphors used for God (Father, Son) help humans understand His nature and character. God accommodates Himself to human understanding by using human titles, human analogies, and negation. For fuller note on "glory" see Eph_1:6.
▣ "Amen" is the Hebrew word for "faith" or "faithfulness" (cf. Hab_2:4). Originally this term was used to describe a stable stance, sure footing. It came to be used metaphorically of someone who was faithful, stable, steadfast, dependable, trustworthy. Later it came to be commonly used in the sense of an affirmation of a trustworthy statement. See Special Topic at Eph_3:20.