I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.
Summary: Once again, we find ourselves stepping into the role of Word Detective as we work to make sure we have a clear understanding of Paul’s meaning.
Maybe it is just me, but it seems weird that in the prior verse Paul says that he doesn’t desire gifts from the Philippians and then in this verse he starts talking about having received “full payment.”
Am I missing something?
Did the Philippians “owe” Paul a “payment” for some reason?
Then I remembered Jesus telling his seventy-two disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” (Luke 10:2) and “…the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7).
Maybe Paul was making a reference to being a “worker?”
Next, I looked at the sixty English translations available on “Biblegateway.com,” and the light started going on. Only a few translations used the word “payment” directly, while some refer to a payment of some kind indirectly, and others talk about just having enough*
Paul, as we know, is writing in Greek. In this case, he is using words commonly used in business to acknowledge the gifts that Epaphroditus brought from the Philippians.
He has already told us that all he really needs is Jesus.† Yet, it seems clear that he deeply appreciates their support.
Perhaps we are seeing two sides of Paul at once?
One side is Paul the Teacher. He is making it clear that all we really need is Jesus. On the other side, we see Paul the Servant. Servants wait on their masters, but they need to eat, too. The Philippians are both disciples of Paul and his supporters. They are like a family that is honoring a beloved parent, and at the same time taking care of his needs.
The one thing we can be sure of is that Paul is grateful. He has received their gifts and has more than enough to supply his needs.
Application: Strive for the clarity Paul demonstrates when it comes to money.
Food for Thought: Paul mentions “gifts,” suggesting more than one. What other kinds of gifts might have been sent that encouraged Paul?
*For example, the New Living Version says, “I have everything I need and more than enough.”
†“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13)
My grandmother used to tell me, when I was young, that the best gift I could give her would be to do well in school. That was something I didn’t really understand as a teenager, but now as an adult I understand that when someone cares for you, and they take the time and effort to try and build you up, that it brings them joy to see the fruit of their efforts growing in you. That their sacrifices are a gift to you, and your success is a gift back to them.
So on that note, I think that Epaphroditus brought more than “material” gifts to Paul, at least from Paul’s perspective. Stepping into that “role of Word Detective” I can see evidence of this in Philippians.
Paul speaks about their “partnership in the Gospel” and the good work Christ began in them. He speaks with confidence that Christ will bring it to completion, signifying that Paul recognizes the willingness and faithful obedience of the Philippians to Christ.
Philippians 1:5-6
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Paul again talks about the Philippian’s obedience to Christ, and also encourages them to continue to seek a life of holiness and God’s Will (“work out your own salvation”). If the Philippians were stumbling on this, I think he would worded it differently. Paul expresses confidence in their faith. Paul see’s God working in their lives.
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The praise that catches my eye in this passage is “abound more and more.” This means Paul recognizes that the Philippians presently live in the love of Christ, and that Paul’s prayer is for Christ to cultivate more and more love in them, and to fill them with knowledge and all discernment. Paul sees in them the potential to become beacons of light in the world, so that they can “approve what is excellent,” “be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” and be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” I don’t believe these are just words of encouragement from Paul, I believe he sees them heading toward a life a faith that we would consider to be a life of great faith.
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Thank you, Chris!
Interesting insight! Your grandmother was a wise woman!
I appreciate the insight that God has given CH. The sharing of this correlation is a gift to me. Thank you.
Always nice to hear you check in, JEC! 🙂
Paul mentions “gifts,” suggesting more than one. What other kinds of gifts might have been sent that encouraged Paul?
Great insight CH! Thank You!!
Mathew 4:4, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Thanks, Ron!
The verse you selected speaks to a very important truth. Thank you!
Thanks, great comments. CH – I love your perspective on this.