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Philippians 4:10-15

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be 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 Christ which strengtheneth me. 14. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Philippians 4:10-15 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Philippians 4:10

Theological / Devotional

I rejoiced. Or, “I rejoice,” if Paul is here using the epistolary aorist (see on ch. 2:25). Paul practices the precepts he urges on the church (ch. 4:4); he rejoices, as he commands them to do.

Your care of me. Paul visualized the thoughtful planning by which the Philippians had sought to lighten his trials, first when he was at Corinth (v. 15) and more recently at Rome (chs. 2:25; 4:18).

Flourished. Gr. anathallo, “to shoot up,” “grow green again,” used of a tree putting forth fresh shoots after its winter sleep. The idea is that of renewed activity after inactivity. Paul is in no way accusing his friends of neglect, for he recognizes that it had not been possible for them to help him earlier.

Careful. Or, “were being thoughtful.” Paul realizes that although circumstances had prevented the church from rendering practical help, its members had continually desired to ameliorate his condition.

Lacked opportunity. The hindrances are not specified, but it appears to have been temporarily impossible for the Philippians to send their gifts to the apostle.

By SdaBc