But I have all things, and abound
Or "I have received all things", as the Syriac version renders
it; all that they had sent by Epaphroditus; and for which he now
gives a receipt; and by virtue of which he now abounded; and
which abundance of his was not so much owing to the largeness of
their presents, as to the peace of his mind; looking upon this
gift of theirs, though it might be but small in itself, a fulness
to him; for he adds,
I am full;
as much as he desired, he wanted no more, he had enough:
having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were
sent] from you:
and which he acknowledged, that the character of this good man
might stand clear, who had been intrusted with this affair:
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well
pleasing to
God,
this is said in allusion to the sacrifices under the former
dispensation, in which God smelled a sweet savour, ( Genesis 8:21
) , in reference to which, as the sacrifice of Christ is said to
be of a sweet smelling savour, ( Ephesians
5:2 ) , and as the spiritual sacrifices of the saints, as
praises and prayers, are called odours, ( Revelation
5:8 ) , and are said to be acceptable unto God, ( 1 Peter 2:5 ) ; so acts
of beneficence are called sacrifices, with which he is well
pleased, ( Hebrews
13:16 ) .