The Meaning of Philippians 4:16 Explained

Philippians 4:16

KJV: For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

YLT: because also in Thessalonica, both once and again to my need ye sent;

Darby: for also in Thessalonica once and even twice ye sent to me for my need.

ASV: for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.

Discover Philippians 4:16

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Philippians 4:16?

MEANING: What does Philippians 4:16 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Philippians 4:16 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Philippians 4:16?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  even  in  Thessalonica  ye sent  once  and  again  unto  my  necessity. 

What does Philippians 4:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Even before Paul arrived in Corinth the Philippians had sent him gifts in Thessalonica, the next town he visited after leaving Philippi ( Acts 17:1). Perhaps these were smaller gifts since they were not as memorable.
"There is good evidence from the Greco-Roman world that the actual expression of "thank you" was not a part of friendship as such. As strange as it may seem to us, true friends did not need to express thanksgiving directly in order for it to be received. What Paul is most likely doing here in keeping with social convention is thus expressing his "thank you" indirectly, but even more tellingly, by rehearsing their history in this way." [1]

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

1  From particular admonitions,
4  he proceeds to general exhortations,
10  showing how he rejoiced at their generosity toward him while in prison
19  And so he concludes with prayer and salutations

Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:16

Once and again [και απαχ και δις]
“Both once and twice” they did it “even in Thessalonica” and so before Paul went to Corinth.” See the same Greek idiom in 1 Thessalonians 2:18. [source]
Even in Thessalonica [καὶ]
Better also: in addition to the contribution received at Corinth. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 4:16 mean?

For even in Thessalonica both once and twice for the needs of me you sent
ὅτι καὶ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς εἰς τὴν χρείαν μοι ἐπέμψατε

καὶ  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
Θεσσαλονίκῃ  Thessalonica 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Θεσσαλονίκη  
Sense: a famous and populous city, situated on the Thermaic Gulf, the capital of the second division of Macedonia and the residence of a Roman governor and quaestor.
καὶ  both 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἅπαξ  once 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἅπαξ  
Sense: once, one time.
δὶς  twice 
Parse: Adverb
Root: δίς  
Sense: twice.
χρείαν  needs 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χρεία  
Sense: necessity, need.
μοι  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐπέμψατε  you  sent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: πέμπω  
Sense: to send.

What are the major concepts related to Philippians 4:16?

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Similar Scriptures for Philippians 4:16

1 Thessalonians 2:9 [5]
Acts 17:1 [2]
1 Thessalonians 2:18 [2]