Philippians 4:10–23

TABLE 2.16: Partnership as a Thematic Thread in Philippians

4:15–16 Paul now calls attention² to the Philippians’ proven track record as faithful gospel partners by rehearsing some of the highlights of their partnership together. The Philippians entered into gospel partnership (koinōneō) with Paul from the very beginning of his ministry among them (v. 15). Paul puts the Philippians in a class by themselves: “except you only.” He showers them with commendation in verse 16 for how they sent someone to provide for his needs on more than one occasion. The phrase “once and again” is placed at the front of the Greek sentence for emphasis. That the Philippians provided for Paul’s needs multiple times in Thessalonica is all the more remarkable given Paul’s short stay there (Acts 17:2 says that he spent three Sabbath days reasoning in the synagogue).

4:17 Paul again wants to avoid giving the wrong impression. He is not looking after his own interests; he is still seeking their interests (2:3–4). He is grateful they have been looking after his physical interests, but Paul is like an investment adviser with an eye on the heavenly accounts of the Philippians. He is exceedingly glad to see overflowing increase and compound interest at work in their heavenly account. They are laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19–21); their heavenly reward is growing like a fruitful orchard.

4:18 Paul now helps the Philippians see what their generosity means both to him (“well supplied”) and to God (“pleasing”). Their generous giving has created a context in which Paul abounds. He is well supplied because he has received not merely the full amount needed, but in fact a surplus over and above the need. This extravagant giving is also an aromatic offering well pleasing to God. Paul draws here upon the imagery of the OT sacrificial system: an acceptable sacrifice was one offered in accord with God’s instructions, and its fragrant aroma was said to be well pleasing to God (Ex. 29:18, 25, 41; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5; 4:31; 6:15, 21; 8:21, 28, etc.).³

4:19 Paul stated in verse 18 that he is well supplied (peplērōmai). Now he explains that the Philippians are well supplied as well, for God will supply (plēroō) the Philippians’ “every need . . . according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This promise certainly applies to the financial needs of the Philippians, but it goes beyond financial needs to cover “every need of yours.” God can easily meet such needs. He not only has the riches (wealth); his character is one of boundless generosity as well. He is the God who loves to give good gifts to his children (Matt. 7:11).

The prepositional phrase “in Christ Jesus” identifies where these riches are found: in the person of Christ Jesus. The fullest revelation of God’s glorious riches is found in him alone. This is a stunning statement. God has revealed “the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Jesus is very God of very God, and all the riches and fullness of deity dwell bodily in him (Col. 2:8–9).

This promise of God’s extravagant generosity is grounded in the gospel of Christ. Paul explained this same point to the Corinthians in a call for sacrificial giving: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Indeed, the God “who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).

4:20 Paul closes not with a qualification but with a doxology: “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.” The goal of all that God does is his own glory. And God’s goal has become Paul’s passion: giving God praise and glory and credit and honor for all that he has done, forever. This same goal was the climax of the Christ hymn. The bowing of every knee and the confessing of every tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord will culminate in the final goal of “the glory of God the Father” (2:11).

4:21 Paul greets the Philippians once again as people set apart (“saints”) for God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1 used the plural form “all the saints” to draw attention to the totality of the group as a collective whole, while this verse uses the singular “every saint” to emphasize Paul’s affection for every individual Philippian believer. Paul expands the greeting to come also from “the brothers who are with me,” which is probably a reference to Paul’s co-laborers in Rome.

4:22 The greeting now grows, so that it comes from all the saints in Rome. Paul calls attention to a specific group within the wider whole: “those of Caesar’s household.” A wealthy “household” in the ancient world would include a considerably large staff that served the family. Matthew Harmon helpfully notes that Caesar’s household was “the ancient equivalent to a modern civil service, where experts in various areas helped to administrate the Roman Empire.”⁴ Paul highlights this group to remind the Philippians that the gospel of Christ has conquered even the household of Caesar. The gospel continues to spread according to God’s wise and powerful purposes, which include Paul’s imprisonment in Rome.

4:23 Paul closes each of his letters with a climactic note of grace.⁵ This grace is once again tied explicitly and exclusively to “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace is God’s undeserved and ill-deserved kindness to sinners that comes through Jesus, purchased by his death on the cross.⁶ Grace is so exclusively connected to Jesus in Paul’s theology that being “severed from Christ” is equivalent to falling “away from grace” (Gal. 5:4).

The Grace of Christ, Generosity, and Gospel Partnerships

This passage connects gospel grace and financial generosity for gospel partnerships. It is important to note that grace and giving are theologically connected in the gospel. The grace of our Lord Jesus is his self-giving. Second Corinthians 8:9 is an amazing example: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” The participle “being rich” could even be translated in a causal manner, which would stress further the tight connection between grace and self-giving: “Because he was rich, for your sake he became poor so that you by his poverty might become rich.”¹

Sam Houston (1793–1863) is a good example of someone who encountered this grace and was never the same. Houston was a colorful soldier and politician best known for his role in bringing Texas into the United States. He surprised everyone when he became a Christian. He surprised everyone even more when, after his baptism, he declared his desire to pay half of the local minister’s salary. When someone asked him why, he responded, “My pocketbook was baptized, too.” The conversion of our wallets should be included in our conversion to Christ. Gospel partnerships inevitably involve financial partnerships, for what we value most is making much of Christ and spreading his fame.