Philippians 4:10-20

10 I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it.

11 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.

12 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.

13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

14 I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me - it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

15 You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I'll never forget it, that when I first left Macedonia province, venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one.

16 Even while I was in Thessalonica, you helped out - and not only once, but twice.

17 Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

18 And now I have it all - and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end.

19 You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.

20 Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.

Philippians 4:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS 4

This chapter contains exhortations to various duties becoming Christians, the apostle's thankfulness to the Philippians for their present to him, and the conclusion of the epistle with the salutations of the brethren: in Php 4:1; the apostle exhorts the saints with great affection to perseverance in the doctrine and faith of Christ; and in Php 4:2; mentions some persons by name, and to whom he recommends unity and agreement; and in Php 4:3; entreats others to assist them therein; and in Php 4:4; exhorts them all in general to joy in the Lord, and to moderation, enforced by this argument, the Lord being at hand, Php 4:5; and to calmness and quietness of mind, and to prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, Php 4:6; to which they are encouraged, by the promise of having the peace of God, keeping their minds through Christ, Php 4:7; and to conclude, he exhorts them to everything that is virtuous had commendable; to which he stimulates them, from the consideration of the nature of the things themselves, from his own example, and from the presence of God with them, they might expect to enjoy, Php 4:8,9; and then he proceeds to take notice of the kindness of the Philippians to him, declares his joy on account of it, and expresses it by their care of him again; which he corrects, by observing that it was not for want of care in them before, but of opportunity of showing it, Php 4:10; nor did he take notice of this present of theirs, with so much exultation on account of his own penury, for he had learnt the great lesson of contentment in every state, Php 4:11; which he enlarges upon and explains; namely, that he had been taught, and knew how to behave in fulness and want, in prosperity and adversity; though this was not owing to himself, but to the power and strength of Christ, Php 4:12,13; however, he commends the Philippians for their communicating to him in his affliction, both at the first preaching of the Gospel to them, and at several times since, Php 4:14-16, the reason of which commendation was not because he was covetous of gifts and presents from them, but to encourage them to bring forth fruit, which would turn to their own advantage, Php 4:17; as for himself he had enough, and therefore said not this on his own account, but because such communication was a sacrifice well pleasing to God, and a return would be made by him; who, as he was able to supply all their need, would; of which he assures them, and for which he prays, Php 4:17-19, and to whom he gives the glory of what they had given, and he had received, Php 4:20; and then the epistle is concluded with the salutation of the apostle, and the saints, and brethren with him, and with his usual benediction, Php 4:21,22.