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Philippians 4:15

in Philippians 4

And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;

KJV

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

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This verse in Philippians 4

Commentary

12 notes on this verse

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Philippians · Written before 1274.

Secondly, he recalls a past favor; and you Philippians yourselves know. For he had received nothing from certain ones, such as the Corinthians and Thessalonians, because the Corinthians were covetous and became annoyed when they ministered to him; and because the Thessalonians were given to …

This site's exposition

share in my affliction

on Philippians 4:14-16

In the early days of the gospel, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. Even in Thessalonica you provided for my needs again and again, and the partnership of 1:5 is here given its ledger.

This site's exposition

no church but you partnered with me

The Philippians alone supported Paul after he left Macedonia. Barnes places the moment at Acts 17:14, when trouble at Berea drove him away. Matthew Henry notes that they sent after him when no other church did, and warns against asking what others give before giving ourselves.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Ambrosiaster

EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.17 · Written before 384.

proposed

He recalls these acts in order that, hearing that their good works are still held in mind and praised, they may have no doubt that they are counted acceptable in the Lord's sight, adding zeal in faith to their generosity.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Philippians 15 · Written before 407.

proposed

"Ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no Church had communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only." Lo, how great is his commendation! For the Corinthians and Romans are stirred up by hearing these things from him, whilst the Philippians did it without any other Church having made a beginning. For "in the beginning of the Gospel," saith he, they manifested such zeal towards the holy Apostle, as themselves first to begin, without having any example, to bear this fruit. And no one can say that they did these things because he abode with them, or for their own benefit; for he saith, "When I departed from Macedonia, no Church had fellowship with me, in the matter of giving and receiving, but ye only." What meaneth "receiving," and what "had fellowship"? Wherefore said he not, "no Church gave to me," but "had fellowship with me, in the matter of giving and receiving"? Because it is a case of communication. He saith, "If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things." And again, "That your abundance may be a supply to their want." How did they communicate? In the matter of giving carnal things, and receiving spiritual. For as they who sell and buy communicate with each other, by mutually giving what they have, (and this is communication,) so too is it here. For there is not anything more profitable than this trade and traffic. It is performed on the earth, but is completed in heaven. […]

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Philippians · Written before 1107.

proposed

Since it might have seemed that he reproached them above by saying, "you have now once again begun to care," he now wisely justifies himself, saying that the very thing by which I seemed to have reproached you, I did not do because I wished …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

They not only maintained him comfortably while he was with them, but when he departed from Macedonia they sent tokens of their kindness after him; and this when no other church did so. None besides sent after him of their carnal things, in consideration of what they had reaped of his spiritual things. In works of charity, we are ready to ask what other people do.
Now ye Philippians know also,....
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

Surely never was present so well repaid. He reminds them that in the beginning of the gospel no church communicated with him as to giving and receiving but they only,

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

In the beginning of the gospel - “At the time when I first preached the gospel to you; or when the gospel began its benign influence on your hearts.” When I departed from Macedonia - See Act 17:14. The last place that Paul visited in Macedonia, at that time, was Berea. There a tumult was excited by the Jews, and it was necessary for him to go away. He left Macedonia to go to Athens; and left it in haste, amidst scenes of persecution, and when he needed sympathizing aid.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

Now--"Moreover." Arrange as Greek, "Ye also know (as well as I do myself)." in the beginning of the gospel--dating from the Philippian Christian era; at the first preaching of the Gospel at Philippi. when I departed from Macedonia-- (Ac 17:14).

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

In the beginning of the Gospel - When, having preached to you, I went forth into Macedonia, I received help from none of the Churches which I had founded, but from you alone. I received nothing from any others, and nothing was offered me.

The words behind it

27 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

9 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Philippians 1:5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,7 works1 John 2:24As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.4 works2 Corinthians 11:8–12I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you.3 works2 Corinthians 6:11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.3 worksActs 16:40After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.2 works2 Corinthians 12:11–15I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.2 works
The other 3 cross-references, with their words ▾
Philippians 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.1 works2 Kings 5:16But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.0 works2 Kings 5:20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”-1 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Philippians 1:5

    because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

    it leads to

    • Philippians 4:14–15

      Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.

    • Philippians 1:7

      It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you…

    • Hebrews 3:14

      We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.

    • Philemon 1:17

      So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

  • Through

    Acts 16:40

    After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.

    it leads to

    • Acts 14:22

      strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

    • 1 Thessalonians 3:2–3

      We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

    • Acts 16:14

      Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

    • 2 Corinthians 1:3–7

      Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Where this verse is studied

About Philippians

Baptism of Lydia, Marie Ellenrieder, 1861. Public domain.
Baptism of Lydia, Marie Ellenrieder, 1861. Public domain.
Philippians: the study guide →Read Philippians 4 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.17; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Philippians 15; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Philippians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Philippians.

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