In view of Paul"s attitude the Philippians might have wondered if they should have bothered to send him the gift. Paul hastened to add that it was good of them to send it. He appreciated it more because it showed a proper spirit in the givers than because it eased his discomfort ( Philippians 4:18). [source][source][source]
"We know that God loves a cheerful giver, but I believe we also need to stress that God loves a cheerful receiver. Cheerful receivers make giving and receiving a joy. It is especially important that the called workers of the church learn to be gracious, cheerful receivers. This is not necessarily an easy task. The art of being a gracious, cheerful, thankful receiver may be even more difficult than being a cheerful giver. If we learn to accept the compliments and the special personal gifts which we receive in a gracious, cheerful manner, we will help make giving and receiving a joy for ourselves and for our people." [1][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 4:10-23 - "my God Shall Supply Every Need"
The Apostle had been glad to receive the gifts of his friends, because these evidenced their earnest religious life. It was fruit that increased to their account. On his own part he had learned one of the greatest of lessons-contentment with whatever state he found himself in. This is a secret that can only be acquired by our experience of life in the will of God. When once the soul lives in God and finds its highest ideal in the fulfillment of His will, it becomes absolutely assured that all things which are necessary will be added. All things are possible to those who derive their daily strength from God.
It is wonderful to hear Paul say that he abounded, Philippians 4:18. A prison, a chain, a meager existence! The great ones of the world would have ridiculed the idea that any could be said to abound in such conditions. But they could not imagine the other hemisphere in which Paul lived; and out of his own blessed experience of what Christ could do, he promised that one's every need would be supplied. God's measure is his riches in glory; and his channel is Jesus Christ. Let us learn from Philippians 4:18 that every gift to God's children which is given from a pure motive is acceptable to Him as a fragrant sacrifice. That reference in Philippians 4:22 shows that Paul was making good use of his stay in Rome [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 4
1From particular admonitions, 4he proceeds to general exhortations, 10showing how he rejoiced at their generosity toward him while in prison 19And so he concludes with prayer and salutations
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:14
That ye had fellowship [συνκοινωνησαντες] First aorist active participle (simultaneous action with the principal verb καλως εποιησατε kalōs epoiēsate). “Ye did well contributing for my affliction.” [source]
Notwithstanding [] Lest, in declaring his independence of human aid, he should seem to disparage the Philippians' gift. [source]
What do the individual words in Philippians 4:14 mean?
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: συγκοινωνέω
Sense: to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing.
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:14
First aorist active participle (simultaneous action with the principal verb καλως εποιησατε kalōs epoiēsate). “Ye did well contributing for my affliction.” [source]
Lest, in declaring his independence of human aid, he should seem to disparage the Philippians' gift. [source]