PHILIPPIANS
Chapter 4, Verse 14-23
My God Will Supply!
[8-7-16]
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Review; Can I? I Can!
Philippians 4:10-13) [KJV] 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.
“I am instructed” – “Rev., have I learned the secret. The metaphor is from the initiatory rites of the pagan mysteries. I have been initiated” [Vincent].
13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
QUESTION: What is the context of this subject being discussed?
* You send financial aid to me in a time of my need [vs. 10].
* God, through life’s experiences, had taught me to be content in all situations [vs. 11-12].
* God gives me the strength to face whatever I’m facing [vs. 13].
* You, however, blessed me again with your offering [vs. 14-18].
* In return God will bless you [vs. 19].
QUESTION: What does this context teach us regarding vs. 13?
ANSWER: Primarily vs. 13 is a confession by the Apostle that God continuously gives him the strength to face whatever life throws at him. This principle, though, does include the idea that when life throws good things your way that God will give you the strength to do the right thing then as well.
On To This Week’s Lesson, “My God Will Supply!”
Philippians 4:14-23) [KJV] Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
“Notwithstanding, ye have well done – Though he had learned the grace of contentment, and though he knew that Christ could enable him to do all things, it was well for them to show sympathy for his sufferings; for it evinced a proper regard for a benefactor and an apostle.
Ye did communicate – You took part with my affliction. That is, you sympathized with me, and assisted me in bearing it. The relief which they had sent, not only supplied his wants, but it sustained him by the certainty that he was not forgotten” [Barnes].
QUESTION: What is Barnes pointing out in this verse?
ANSWER: Paul had just told his readers that God had taught him, and enabled him to be content in the bad times just as he was in the good times. Paul is now assuring his readers that his aforementioned comments are not meant to demean their generosity in their giving an offering to minister to his needs.
QUESTION: What else does Barnes point out, as a reminder, in the above verse?
ANSWER: When we are going through bad things it’s easy to think that nobody cares. It was a huge blessing to Paul to see, through the actions of the Philippian Christians, that somebody actually did care.
NOTE: If you don’t know how to be a blessing to someone look for someone who is going through a very difficult time and find a way, through a heartfelt note, a helping hand, etc., to express to that individual that you haven’t forgotten them.
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.
16) For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
QUESTION: What is Paul saying in these 2 verses?
ANSWER: He’s telling his readers that after he answered the Macedonian Call to go to Europe/Macedonia to preach the Gospel that the only church who gave financially to support Paul’s ministry was the Church of Philippi. They didn’t only give to his ministry when he was in Philippi, but they twice sent him an offering when he was in Thessalonica.
17) Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
(ERV) Really, it is not that I want to get gifts from you. But I want you to have the benefit that comes from giving.
QUESTION: What does this verse teach us?
ANSWER: Because Paul had received the gift of contentment, a precious gift that comes from grace, he was more interested in the benefit the Philippian believers would receive from God for their generosity than he was for the benefit he would receive as a result of their generosity. I’m not sure how many of us modern day preachers have ever felt that way; may God help us.
18) But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
(ERV) I have everything I need. I have even more than I need. I have all I need because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. Your gift is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God. God accepts that sacrifice and it pleases him.
QUESTION: What is strange about the message of this verse?
ANSWER: A preacher is actually telling a generous congregation that he has enough. He doesn’t need any more money. Say, “What!” I honestly don’t know if there has ever been a westernized minister say such a thing as this.
QUESTION: What else does he tell his readers?
* There gift was a sweet-smelling offering to God.
* God accepts their sacrifice/offering.
* There offering pleased God.
Exodus 36:3-6) [KJV] And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
4) And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
5) And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
6) And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
NOTE: In the O.T. Moses had to restrain the people from bringing any more offerings for the current work they were undertaking.
“The people bring offerings more than are needed for the work, and are only restrained by the proclamation of Moses, Exo_36:4-7. The curtains, their loops, taches, etc., for the tabernacle, Exo_36:8-18. The covering for the tent, Exo_36:19. The boards, Exo_36:20-30. The bars, Exo_36:31-34. The veil and its pillars, Exo_36:35, Exo_36:36. The hangings and their pillars, Exo_36:37, Exo_36:38” [Clarke’s Chapter Notes].
19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(GW) My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.
QUESTION: What does this passage teach us?
ANSWER: Because the Philippian believers had provided for others, in this case Paul, God would provide for them.
QUESTION: What would God provide for them?
ANSWER: They had sown the seed of provision when they gave an offering to Paul; so Paul says they will reap a harvest of provision in the time of their need. We reap what we sow [Galatians 6:7].
QUESTION: Where do these blessings of provision come from?
ANSWER: They come from the infinite storehouse in Heaven; and we access them through our relationship with God’s Son, Jesus.
Luke 6:37-38) [KJV] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
NOTE: Again, we reap exactly what we sow! We plant corn; we reap corn! We plant wheat; we reap wheat!
20) Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21) Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22) All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.