NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 87
page 2071
4:12
s1Co 4:11
t2Co 11:9
4:13
u2Co 12:9
4:14
vPhp 1:7
4:15
wPhp 1:5
x2Co 11:8,9
4:16
yAc 17:1
z1Th 2:9
4:17
a1Co 9:11,12
4:18
bPhp 2:25
c2Co 2:14
4:19
dPs 23:1; 2Co 9:8
eRo 2:4
4:20
fGal 1:4
gRo 11:36
4:21
hGal 1:2
4:22
iAc 9:13
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P h i l i pp i a n s
4:23
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, s whether living in
plenty or in want. t 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength. u
14 Yet it was good of you to share v in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know,
in the early days w of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,
not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; x
16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, y you sent me aid more than once when I was in
need. z 17Not that I desire your g
ifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. a
18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now
that I have received from Epaphroditus b the g
ifts you sent. They are a fragrant c offering,
an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your n
eeds d accord
e
ing to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father f be glory for ever and ever. Amen. g
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me h
send greetings. 22All God’s people i here send you greetings, especially t hose who belong
to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. a
a
23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and
teach you contentment in every circumstance. Thank him each day for
all the blessings you do have. He will meet all your needs, but in a way
that he knows is best for you. (For more on how God meets our needs,
see the note on 4:19.)
4:10 In 1 Corinthians 9:11-18, Paul wrote that he didn’t accept gifts
from the Corinthian church because he didn’t want to be accused of
preaching only to get money. But Paul maintained that a church has
the responsibility to support God’s ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14). He
accepted the Philippians’ gift because they gave it willingly and because
he was in need.
4:12-13 Paul was content because he could see life from God’s point
of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt
he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for
everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the
nonessential so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often the
desire for something more or better indicates a longing to fill an empty
place in a person’s life. To what are you drawn when you feel empty
inside? How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in your
perspective, your priorities, and your source of power.
4:13 Can we really do all things? We receive all the power we need
in union with Christ when we do his will and face the challenges that
arise from our doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to
accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to his interests.
As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials.
What does God want you to do? Step out in faith and do it, trusting him
for the strength you will need.
4:14 The Philippians shared in Paul’s financial support while he was
in prison. They provided the means for him to get food and likely the
materials he needed to write his letters.
4:15 What makes money so magnetic and giving it away often so
stressful? Money insures we can get what we need. It gives us stature
and represents our day-to-day security. Giving money away puts our
work and our futures at risk. Not every charity deserves your attention, and you’re wise to scrutinize missionary appeals as well. But once
you’ve determined that a project honors the Lord, don’t hold back—give
generously and joyfully. Like the Philippians, you’ll be establishing an
eternal partnership.
4:17 When we give to those in need, it not only benefits the recipients
but benefits us as well. It was not the Philippians’ gift but their spirit of
love and devotion that Paul appreciated most.
4:18 Paul was not referring to a sin offering but to a thank offering,
“a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Leviticus
7:12-15 contains the instructions for such offerings of thanksgiving).
Although the Greek and Roman Christians were not Jews and had not
offered sacrifices according to the Old Testament laws, they were well
acquainted with the pagan rituals of offering sacrifices.
4:19 We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we
actually need on earth he will always supply, even if, like Paul, it is the
courage to face death. We must remember, however, the difference
between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and
avoid discomfort and pain. We may not get all that we want. But by
trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting
everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.
4:22 There were many Christians in Rome; some were even in Caesar’s
household. Perhaps Paul, while awaiting trial, was making converts of the
Roman civil service! Paul sent greetings from these Roman Christians to
the believers at Philippi. The gospel had spread to all strata of society,
linking people who had no other bond but Christ. The Roman Christians
and the Philippian Christians were brothers and sisters because of their
unity in Christ. Believers today are also linked to others across cultural,
economic, and social barriers. Because all believers are brothers and
sisters in Christ, let us live like God’s true family.
4:23 In many ways, the Philippian church was a model congregation.
It was made up of many different kinds of people who were learning to
work together. But Paul recognized that problems could arise, so in his
thank-you letter he prepared the Philippians for difficulties that could
crop up within a body of believers. Although a prisoner in Rome, Paul
had learned the true secret of joy and p eace—imitating Christ and serving
others. By focusing our minds on Christ, we will learn unity, humility,
joy, and peace. We will also be motivated to live for him, and we will be
examples for others to follow. We can do this confidently because we
have “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” with us.