Concerning Giving and Receiving Philippians 4:15

In Paul the apostle's words to the Philippian church members, he made note of their tending to his needs and afflictions, and although he had learned to be content within whatever state he found himself, he still commended them for their attentiveness. In chapter four and verse fifteen, Paul gives a specific example and special commendation to the Philippians as he wrote of a time they helped him when he left Macedonia. We read:

Now you 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 you only.

The verse begins, “Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,...” As though Paul is reflecting upon specific times when the Philippians came to his aid, he remembered back to the “beginning of the gospel” which refers to when Paul first came to Philippi to share with the women who were there – (Acts 16:11-40) – and Paul was driven to other cities in Macedonia to share. Paul recalls this specific time when the church members donated to him to care for his needs.

The verse goes on to say, “...no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only.” By comparison, Paul states that “no church communicated” which is the Greek word “koinoneo” and means “to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner, to enter into fellowship, join one's self to an associate, make one's self a sharer or partner” “with me as concerning giving and receiving”. There was a relationship of fellowship and closeness like no other churches between Paul and the Philippians as they were “giving” and he was “receiving” from them.

As we ponder Paul and the church members' positions, we discover that there is a mutual closeness and partnership when those within a church support those who are sharing the gospel. Paul knew the Philippians cared for him deeply, and they demonstrated their care by giving him support as he traveled. Paul's commendation of them becomes a motivation for us to be involved in supporting others who share the gospel throughout the world. As we think on these things, let us ask the Lord Jesus what He might have us do to be in “koinoneo” with people he has commission to share His truth. May we learn to be the ones “giving” and not just “receiving” from those who attend to us.

Next time Paul recalls the time when the Philippians helped in Thessolonica, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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