Philippians 4:10-20

Philippians 4:10-20

[10] But  I rejoiced  in  the Lord  greatly,  that  now  at the last  your care  of  hath flourished again;  wherein  also  careful,  but  ye lacked opportunity.  [11] Not  that I speak  in respect  of want:  for  I  have learned,  in  whatsoever state  I am,  content.  [12] I know  both how to be abased,  and  I know  how to abound:  every where  and  in  all things  I am instructed  both  to be full  and  to be hungry,  both  to abound  and  to suffer need.  [13] I can do  all things  through  which  strengtheneth  [14] Notwithstanding  ye have well  done,  that ye did communicate with  affliction.  [15] Now  Philippians  know  also,  that  in  the beginning  of the gospel,  when  I departed  from  Macedonia,  no  church  communicated with  as  concerning  giving  and  receiving,  only.  [16] For  even  in  Thessalonica  ye sent  once  again  unto  necessity.  [17] Not  because  I desire  a gift:  but  I desire  fruit  that may abound  to  account.  [18] But  I have  all,  and  abound:  I am full,  having received  of  Epaphroditus  the things which were sent from  an odour  of a sweet smell,  a sacrifice  acceptable,  wellpleasing  to God.  [19] But  God  shall supply  all  need  according to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus.  [20] Now  unto God  and  Father  be glory  for  ever  Amen. 

What does Philippians 4:10-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The apostle began this epistle by sharing some personal information about his situation in Rome ( Philippians 1:12-26). He now returned from his concerns for the Philippians ( Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9) to his own circumstances ( Philippians 4:10-20). Notice the somewhat chiastic structure of the epistle. This epilogue balances the prologue ( Philippians 1:3-26).
"Nowhere else in all of Paul"s letters nor in all of the letters of antiquity that have survived until the present is there any other acknowledgment of a gift that can compare with this one in terms of such a tactful treatment of so sensitive a matter ...
"The very structure of this section makes clear what has just been said. It exhibits a nervous alternation back and forth between Paul"s appreciation on the one hand ( Philippians 4:10; Philippians 4:14-16; Philippians 4:18-20), and his insistence on his own independence and self-sufficiency on the other ( Philippians 4:11-13; Philippians 4:17)." [1]
". . . Paul"s point is that his joy lies not in the gifts per se-these he really could do with or without-but in the greater reality that the gifts represent: the tangible evidence, now renewed, of his and their long-term friendship, which for Paul has the still greater significance of renewing their long-term "partnership/participation" with him in the gospel." [2]