PHP 4:10-20

The Generosity of the Philippians

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you revived your concern for me — you were indeed concerned, but had no opportunity.

11Not that I speak from need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.

12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret of being full and going hungry, of abounding and being in need.

13I am strong for all things through the one who empowers me.

14Yet you did well to share in my distress.

15And you yourselves know also, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone,

16because even in Thessalonica you sent to my need once and again.

17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account.

18But I have received everything in full and have abundance. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In the world it was spoken into

In Philippi, a Roman colony, the Philippian believers were part of a Greco-Roman patronage system where reciprocal gift-giving reinforced social bonds and honor. Paul’s acknowledgment of their gifts (Philippians 4:10-20) reflects this cultural expectation. The verb ('to sprout again') evokes agricultural imagery, suggesting their generosity has 'flourished anew,' a metaphor for renewed vitality in their support. Paul’s use of ('self-sufficient') draws from Stoic philosophy, emphasizing contentment regardless of circumstances, yet he redefines it as dependence on Christ’s strength. The term ('initiated') hints at mystery cults, where initiates gained secret knowledge, but Paul applies it to his experiential 'initiation' into both abundance and need. The financial term ('account') underscores the transactional nature of their gift, yet Paul spiritualizes it, framing their support as a 'sacrifice pleasing to God.' This passage navigates cultural norms while reorienting them toward divine economy.

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How other translations render this

PHP 4:10

KJV: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
BSB: Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
Koinōnos: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you revived your concern for me — you were indeed concerned, but had no opportunity.

PHP 4:11

KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
BSB: I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
Koinōnos: Not that I speak from need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.

PHP 4:12

KJV: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
BSB: I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.
Koinōnos: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret of being full and going hungry, of abounding and being in need.

PHP 4:13

KJV: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
BSB: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Koinōnos: I am strong for all things through the one who empowers me.

PHP 4:14

KJV: Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
BSB: Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.
Koinōnos: Yet you did well to share in my distress.

PHP 4:15

KJV: Now ye 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 ye only.
BSB: And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
Koinōnos: And you yourselves know also, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone,

PHP 4:16

KJV: For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
BSB: For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
Koinōnos: because even in Thessalonica you sent to my need once and again.

PHP 4:17

KJV: Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
BSB: Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
Koinōnos: Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account.

PHP 4:18

KJV: But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
BSB: I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Koinōnos: But I have received everything in full and have abundance. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

PHP 4:19

KJV: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
BSB: And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Koinōnos: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

PHP 4:20

KJV: Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
BSB: To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Koinōnos: Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

PHP 4:10

you revived:The word translated 'you revived' literally means to sprout or blossom again, like a plant that has been dormant. It suggests a renewal of their care and concern, which had perhaps lain fallow for a time.

PHP 4:11

content:The term translated 'content' carried the sense of being self-sufficient or independent, not in a prideful way, but as someone who has all they need within themselves and is not dependent on external circumstances.

PHP 4:12

I have learned the secret:The phrase 'I have learned the secret' uses a word that referred to being initiated into a mystery religion. It implies a deep, personal experience of learning and understanding something previously hidden or unknown.

PHP 4:15

[the] matter:The word translated '[the] matter' is a very broad term that can mean 'word,' 'reason,' 'account,' or 'reckoning.' Here, it refers to the financial transaction or account of giving and receiving.