Communicating with Affliction Philippians 4:14

As Paul the apostle continued his commendations and instructions to the Philippian church members, he included his appreciation for their care for him and his ability to be content regardless of his circumstances. In chapter four and verse fourteen, Paul once again compliments the Philippians for their attending to his afflictions. We read:

Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction.

The verse begins, “Notwithstanding you have well done,...” As though there was a need for a second compliment for their care for him, Paul told the Philippians “Notwithstanding” which means “besides, moreover, nevertheless, or except” “you have well done ” or “beautifully, finely, excellently, rightly, honorably, nobly, or good”. In other words, even though Paul learned to be content regardless of his situation, the Philippians did a good service to him.

The verse goes on to say, “...that you did communicate with my affliction.” Because there may have been some question as to what or where the church members of Philippi did well, Paul told them “that you did communicate with” which means “to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing” “my affliction” which literally means “pressure” and metaphorically means “oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits”. In other words the Philippian church members were so in tuned with Paul the apostle and the troubles he endured that it was as though they were going through his afflictions themselves.

As we ponder Paul's words, we may ask, “Do we so identify with another person's affliction that we respond by being a partaker in their troubles?” “Do we only think or talk about the troubles others are having, or do we do as the Philippian church member and actually attend to their needs?” Let this verse be a great motivation for us to ask the Lord Jesus to bring others' needs to our attention, and may He give us not only the desire but also the ability to “communicate” with their “afflictions”.

Next time Paul tells the Philippians that no one cared for him as they did, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.