Page 441 - Demo

PHILIPPIANS 
15You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the gospel,* when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. 17It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the pro t that accrues to your account. 18I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, “a fragrant aroma,” an acceptable sacri ce,* pleasing to God.l 19My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.m 20To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.n
VIII. FAREWELL*
21Give my greetings to every holy one in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings; 22o all the holy ones send you their greetings, especially those of Caesar’s household.* 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
The old city of Philippi was situated in northeastern Greece, in the Roman province of Macedonia.
4:10
Paul thanks the Philippians for their generosity and tells them what he has learned: “to be self-su cient” (4:11), which means, for him, to trust in God to supply everything he needs.
k. [4:13] Col 1:29; 2 Tm 4:17.
l. [4:18] Gn 8:21; Ex 29:18; Eph 5:2;
Heb 13:16.
m. [4:19] 1 Thes 3:11, 13.
n. [4:20] Rom 16:27; Eph 5:20.
o. [4:22] 1:13.
429
* [4:15] The beginning of the gospel: it was at Philippi that Paul rst preached Christ in Europe, going on from there to Thessalonica and Beroea (Acts 16:9–17:14).
* [4:18] Aroma. . .sacri ce: Old Testament cultic language (cf. Gn 8:21; Ex 29:18, 25, 41; Lv 1:9, 13; Ez 20:41) applied to the Philippians’ gift; cf. Eph 5:2; 2 Cor 2:14–16.
* [4:21–23] On the usual greetings at the conclusion of a letter, see note on 1 Cor 16:19–24. Inclusion of greetings from all the holy ones in the place from which Paul writes would involve even the Christians of Phil 1:14–18 who had their di erences with Paul.
* [4:22] Those of Caesar’s household: minor o cials or even slaves and freedmen, found in Ephesus or Rome, among other places.