Philippians 4:15-20
You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The ambivalence we detected in the previous verses continues. Indeed, this whole section is colored by what feels like competing measures of affection and ambivalence. Here, Paul not only thanks his friends for their most recent gift but for several earlier gifts that greatly enhanced his ministry. It appears, in fact, that the Philippians at various times were the only one of his several congregations to support him both generously and freely. Yet immediately after giving witness to his indebtedness, he insists he is not indebted to them in that he never sought the gift in the first place but rather only sought the fruits that giving such a gift would produce for the Philippians.
Paul is, as we noticed earlier, a complex man filled at times with mixed emotions, and in this he is like all of us. Perhaps the division in the Philippian community hindered them from aiding him earlier or even led them to neglect him and that still smarts. Or perhaps Paul is wrestling with how to accept gifts but not become dependent on their generosity to the point of compromising his freedom to preach the Gospel even when it means offering correction (as Paul has already done in this letter and probably had done in previous communication as well).
We will never know for sure. But we do know that of these two strands – affection and ambivalence – affection wins out. Paul indeed piles on a variety of metaphors in these verses to express his gratitude for their generosity and to encourage their faith. From the world of business he borrows the images of accumulating profits and accounts. He has been paid in full – whatever was in the past, that is, will remain in the past.
From the world of religion he borrows again the imagery of sacrifice and offering, describing their gifts as if they were a part of a worship service. In the previous verses he borrowed key terms from Stoic philosophers, speaking of contentment and learning to be content (or, more accurately, to be initiated into the practices of contentment) in all circumstances, even while in prison and perhaps fearful for his life.
And in the opening verse of this literary section (v. 10) he borrowed the horticultural term that is translated “revived” – “at last you have revived your concern for me” – but would be better translated as “blossomed.” It was not, Paul may be suggesting, that the Philippians had neglected him, but rather that the season had not yet arrived for their concern to bloom.
But now that season is here, and even as Paul professes his independence, yet he also lays hold of phrases from every domain he can think of in order to give thanks to and for his dear friends. To draw to a close what he must feel are his own inadequate attempts to articulate his appreciation, he ends in prayer, promise, and doxology.
Not a bad practice, when you think of it. Whether frustrated, ambivalent, grateful, or afraid: prayer, promise, and doxology. Something, perhaps, available to each and all of us.
Prayer: Dear God, whatever our circumstances, let us turn to you with our desires and thanksgiving, hopes and fears, dreams and concerns, for you have promised to satisfy our deepest needs and deserve our prayer, praise, and trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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