A Final Expression Of Gratitude For Their Concern About Him As Revealed In The Gift That Epaphroditus Had Brought (Philippians 4:10-19).
Paul has taken the opportunity provided by Epaphroditus' return to Philippi, to send what was very much a pastoral letter, and one which was also partly to smooth the way for Epaphroditus' return to Philippi (Philippians 2:25-30). But in it he now expresses his gratitude for their thoughts concerning him, especially as it was revealed in a practical way by the gift that they had sent to him through Epaphroditus. But while doing so he appears to go out of his way to make sure that they recognise that his dependence was not on them but on the Lord, and that what he rejoiced in most was the credit that would be put to their account for their generosity to the Lord's servant. It was not that he was ungrateful. It was because he wanted them to recognise that their gift had been given to God, and should be seen in that light. Thus he himself had received it as from God, and he wants them to recognise that had they not sent it God would have ensured that he was provided for in another way. He was not to be seen as alone. He was a prisoner of the Lord (Ephesians 4:1). So he fluctuates between assuring them of his gratitude, and assuring them that God would certainly have made provision for him in some way or other to the extent that it was necessary. He wanted their giving to be to the Lord, and their dependence to be on Him.
What a difference there is between Paul's attitude and our modern ways of raising money from Christians. Here he was, very much dependent in his prison on the generosity of God's people (for prisoners of Rome received no official provision by Rome. They had to rely on the generosity of friends) and yet he has written the whole letter without once directly referring to their gift (although it might unquestionably be seen as indirectly included in Philippians 1:5), and now, rather than giving the hint that he would be pleased to receive more, he makes sure that they recognise that what pleases him most about the gift is the love that it reveals in their hearts. His words are almost off-putting, making absolutely clear where his true dependence lies. He wants them to recognise (and to inculcate in them the same attitude) that he is far more delighted with their standing and progress in the Gospel, than he is with monetary considerations, while at the same time wishing to commend them because of their right attitude of heart.
As we saw he began his letter by expressing his gratitude to God for their spiritual maturity and manner of life, and for their working together with him in the Gospel. There he rejoiced that they ‘shared in common with him' in the Gospel (Philippians 1:5). And while the Philippians would no doubt have seen this as including a reference to their gift, his comments here make absolutely clear that that was not what he wants them to see as having been uppermost in his mind. His joy had rather been concerning their wellbeing and growth as the people of God (Philippians 1:7 c;9-11) as they lived out their heavenly citizenship (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 3:20), and gave of themselves in the cause of Christ. Their giving was only a small part of that, and, while gratefully received, was not the most important part. What was more important was the giving of themselves.
Now, however, having satisfactorily fulfilled his pastoral responsibility in this regard, he does make absolutely clear what joy their gift brought him, firstly because he knew that it was the expression of the love in their hearts, and secondly because it had been the right thing for them to do. It was an indication that they had not forgotten him, and that they were sharing with him in his outreach for Christ. But he was equally concerned that they recognise that his physical dependence was not on them but on God, partly because if they ever entered into a similar experience he wanted them to have confidence that God would supply any need, and partly because he wanted to build up a right attitude within them. Furthermore he wanted them to know that his joy was as much in the credit that they would receive from God, and in what it actually revealed about them, as it was in the actual gift.
It would almost have been off-putting (it might appear so to the world) were it not for the fact that they would recognise what he was trying to say, and would no doubt have agreed wholeheartedly with him. It was a reminder to them all that what they gave, they gave to the Lord and not to men, while still having love in their hearts for His true servants).
Analysis.
a But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you caused your thought for me to blossom, in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity (Philippians 4:10).
b Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content (Philippians 4:11).
c I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:12-13).
d However that may be you did well that you shared in common with my affliction (Philippians 4:14).
e And you yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had sharing in common with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only, for even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need (Philippians 4:15-16).
d Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit which increases to your account (Philippians 4:17).
c But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18).
b And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
a Now to our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever. Amen (Philippians 4:20).
Note that in ‘a' he rejoices in the Lord greatly at what they had done, and in the parallel he gives glory to ‘our God and Father'. In ‘b' he assures them that he is not in want because he has learned to be content whatever outward circumstances might be in the certainty that God will provide, and in the parallel he assures them that God will ensure that the same will be true for them out of His riches in glory. In ‘c' he declares that he knows both how to be abased and how to abound, and in the parallel he declares that he has all things and abounds. In ‘d' he commends their right attitude of heart, and in the parallel he assures them that what he is concerned about is that it will be set to their account. Centrally in ‘e' he describes the extent of their generosity as being something that was outstanding.