Paragraph 4:15–20
Paul told the Philippians that he had received the generous gift they had sent to him with Epaphroditus. He told them that God would also supply what they needed.
4:15
During Paul’s travels after his first visit to Philippi, the believers there sent him gifts to help pay the expenses of his ministry. They were the only church that did that at that time. This is what Paul was talking about in 4:15.
4:15a
And as you Philippians know: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as And can also be translated “indeed” or “and.” Paul was saying that they already knew what he was going to tell them in 4:15–16.
4:15b
in the early days of the gospel: This is literally “in the beginning of the gospel.” The phrase can be interpreted in several ways:
(1) It focuses on the Philippians and the time when they first heard the good news about Jesus Christ. It may also include the years when they were still new believers. (New International Version, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) It focuses on Paul and the time when he first preached the gospel in Macedonia. For example:
in the early days of preaching the Good News (Good News Translation) (NET Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It is most likely here that Paul was writing from the point of view of the Philippians.
4:15c
when I left Macedonia: There are two ways to translate the form of the Greek verb in this part of the verse:
(1) It refers to the precise time when Paul actually left Macedonia to go to Athens and Corinth (Acts 17:14–15). (New International Version, Revised English Bible)
(2) It refers more generally to some time after Paul had left Macedonia to go to Athens and Corinth. For example:
After I left there…. (Contemporary English Version)
Many English versions are ambiguous. However, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The first gift Paul received from the Philippians was when he was in Thessalonica (4:16). Since Thessalonica was also in Macedonia, this favors interpretation (1).
4:15d
no church but you partnered with me: No other church sent gifts to Paul at that time. The church at Philippi was the only one that did.
partnered with me: The Philippian believers became partners with Paul in his work by sending money and perhaps other things to help him. See the note on 1:5a.
in the matter of giving and receiving: Paul was probably using a business or financial term here that means “in an accounting of expenses and receipts.” He was referring to the gifts of money and perhaps other things that the Philippians had sent to him and his companions. The use of both giving and receiving can be understood in two ways:
(1) The Philippians gave and Paul received. The Philippians gave physical (material) gifts to Paul, and he told them that he had received them. (New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) The Philippians both gave and received. They had already received Paul’s gift of the gospel, and, in return, they gave him physical gifts (see 1 Corinthians 9:11). (God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)
Either interpretation is possible here, and many English versions are ambiguous. If you need to make explicit who was giving and who was receiving, it is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).
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