INTRODUCTION
The Church at Philippi appears to have been one of the purest of the Apostolic age, and beyond any other called out the Apostle’s thankfulness and commendation.
The occasion of the Epistle seems to have been the return of Epaphroditus, who had brought a gift from Paul’s friends in Philippi, but had been seized by a dangerous illness, Paul was a prisoner in his own hired house in Rome and was anticipating his trial before the emperor.
There is nothing controversial in this letter. The peace of God keeps the Apostle’s mind and heart, and out of it pours a tide of deep and tender love. The hope of being alive at Christ’s coming is still his guiding star. His citizenship is in heaven, and all that he has forfeited of earthly wealth and joy is more than compensated for by what he has found in Christ.
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS
TO PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST
A PERSONAL MESSAGE
The Gift from the Philippians
Their Past Assistance
The Divine Acceptance of This Service
CONCLUSION
10. What great lesson had Paul learned? With what promise does the Epistle close?
GOD’S PROVISION
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.
Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.
I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose–I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Nevertheless, it was right of you to share [with me] in my difficulties.
And you Philippians know that in the early days of preaching the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone;
for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you].
But I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.
And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
Remember me to every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
All God’s people wish to be remembered to you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
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, Php_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 Php_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 Php_4:22 shows that Paul was making good use of his stay in Rome!
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
Paul’s Closing Exhortations.
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