Philipper 4:17

17 Nicht daß ich die Gabe suche, sondern ich suche die Frucht, die überströmend sei für eure Rechnung.

Philipper 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift
This commendation of them he entered into, not because he desired another present to be made to him, either by them or others; he was not a man of such a disposition, he was not like one of those that could never have enough; he was fully satisfied and highly contented with what he had; he was not like the false teachers, that made merchandise of men; he sought not theirs, but them:

but I desire fruit that may abound to your account;
he had planted them, or had been an instrument in planting of them, as trees of righteousness, ( Isaiah 61:3 ) ; and his great desire was to see fruits of righteousness grow upon them, ( Philippians 1:11 ) ; by which sometimes are meant acts of beneficence, as in ( 2 Corinthians 9:10 ) ; and that these might be abundant and turn to their profit and advantage, as such fruit does; for God does not forget to recompence acts of bounty, and labours of love, but if even a cup of cold water is given to a prophet or minister of Christ, on account of his being so, it shall have its reward in the issue of things, upon the casting up of accounts, ( Matthew 10:42 ) ; for the apostle still has reference unto that; his view was, that the balance might be on their side, and that much might be received by them; so that it was not for himself, but for their encouragement and future good, he said this; for as for himself he adds,

Philipper 4:17 In-Context

15 Ihr wisset aber auch, ihr Philipper, daß im Anfang des Evangeliums, als ich aus Macedonien wegging, keine Versammlung mir in Bezug auf Geben und Empfangen mitgeteilt hat, als nur ihr allein.

16 Denn auch in Thessalonich habt ihr mir einmal und zweimal für meine Notdurft gesandt.

17 Nicht daß ich die Gabe suche, sondern ich suche die Frucht, die überströmend sei für eure Rechnung.

18 Ich habe aber alles in Fülle und habe Überfluß; ich bin erfüllt, da ich von Epaphroditus das von euch Gesandte empfangen habe, einen duftenden Wohlgeruch, ein angenehmes Opfer, Gott wohlgefällig.

19 Mein Gott aber wird alle eure Notdurft erfüllen nach seinem Reichtum in Herrlichkeit in Christo Jesu.