SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:16

4:16a

For: This Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For indicates 4:16 is an example and proof of the Philippians’ generosity which Paul had just been talking about.

even: This implies that Paul had been surprised that they sent gifts to him so soon after he left Philippi.

Thessalonica: Thessalonica was another town in Macedonia, not far from Philippi. Paul went there after he had left Philippi. Perhaps that is why Paul seemed surprised to receive a gift from them there. One way you could express 4:16a could be:

You sent help to me…even while I was still in Thessalonica ⌊before I left Macedonia⌋.

4:16b

you provided for my needs: Paul did not specify what sort of help the Philippians had sent him. However, the gifts were probably gifts of money.

again and again: In the Greek this literally means “both once and twice.” Scholars do not know the exact meaning of this idiom. There are three possibilities:

(1) It means “twice.” The Philippians sent gifts to Paul twice. (New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It means “more than once.” They sent gifts more than once, but Paul did not say how many times. (Good News Translation, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

(3) It means “repeatedly.” They sent gifts repeatedly, that is, several times. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version)

The first meaning has stronger commentary support and it is recommended that you follow it in your translation (1).

© 2002 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:15

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).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:14

4:14

Nevertheless: Even though Paul had learned to be content when he did not have what he needed, he still thanked the Philippian believers for their gift.

you have done well to share in my affliction: Paul expressed his gratitude to the Philippians for the gift they had sent him.

you have done well: This is literally “you did well.” Paul was praising what the Philippians did. He was recognizing that what they did was kind and generous. In this way, he was thanking them for the gift they had sent to him.

to share in my affliction: The Philippians had shared in Paul’s troubles by sending financial help to him. In this way, they became his partners. See notes on “partnership” in 1:5a.

to share: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as share is the same as the word used in 1:7, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “partners.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:13

4:13

I can do all things: There are two ways to understand all things in this context:

(1) all the conditions Paul has just mentioned; (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) all things in general; (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Paul was able to be content in all situations that he had just mentioned.

Christ who gives me strength: Paul was referring to Christ, who gave him the strength to face any situation.

General Comment on 4:13

Paul did not mean that he could physically do anything or do things like live without food, but that Christ would strengthen him to continue to trust him even when he did not have enough food.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2:27

2:27a

nearly unto death: Epaphroditus had been so sick that he nearly died.

2:27b

God had mercy on him: God was sorry for Epaphroditus. So he healed him.

Other ways to translate this phrase are:

God pitied him.
-or-
God was kind to him.
-or-
God had compassion on him.

It may be necessary to supply this implicit information that God made Epaphroditus well again.

2:27c

not only on him but also on me: God not only had mercy on Epaphroditus, but he also had mercy on Paul, because (2:27d) Paul would have been greatly saddened if Epaphroditus had died.

In some languages it may not be necessary to include the phrase not only on him. So the translation of 2:27b–c could just say:

God had mercy on him and also on me.

2:27d

to spare me sorrow upon sorrow: This gives the purpose for which God showed mercy to Epaphroditus and Paul. Paul was saying, “[God had mercy on him and on me] so that I would not be even more sorrowful than I am now.” Another way to say this would be: “[God had mercy on him and on me] so that I would not suffer more than I am already suffering.” Some commentators think that the first sorrow refers to Paul being sad because Epaphroditus was sick. Others think Paul was sad because he was in prison. Commentators agree that the second sorrow would have been Paul’s added sorrow if Epaphroditus had died.

sorrow: This refers to something that causes someone to be sad.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:11

4:11a

I am not saying this out of need: By the word this, Paul was referring to what he had just said in 4:10. Paul did not want to imply, by the fact he rejoiced at the gift the Philippians had sent, that he needed or did not need anything.

out of need: This could refer to:

(1) material, financial need—poverty; (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, King James Version)

(2) a feeling of neglect. For example:

because I feel neglected (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1).

4:11b

I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances: Paul meant that Christ (4:13) had taught him how to be satisfied no matter what happened to him. In 4:12 he gave specific examples.

I have learned: Paul meant that he had discovered through what he had experienced how to be content whatever the circumstances.

regardless of my circumstances: The Greek is literally “in which [things] I am.” This can be understood in two ways:

(1) It means “in whatever circumstances I am”. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It means “with the possessions which I have”. (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). 4:12 makes it clear that Paul had learned to be content in whatever situation God put him.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:10

Section 4:10–20

Paul thanked the Philippians for their gift

Paul now began to write about the gift that the Philippians had sent him. He reminded them that when he had been preaching the gospel in their area, they were the only group of believers that had sent gifts to him. He made it clear that Christ enabled him to be content in every situation. But their loving gift made him very happy. He also said that God would also supply all they needed. This should cause God’s people to praise him.

Paragraph 4:10–14

Paul had learned to be content whether he had less than he needed or whether he had more than he needed. But he was very happy that the Philippian believers had sent him a gift to help him when he needed it.

4:10

In this verse, Paul wrote that he was extremely happy because of the gift the Philippians had sent him. He rejoiced because by sending him a gift the Philippians had shown him that they still loved him. They were concerned that he should have the things that he needed.

4:10a

Now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now (de) implies that Paul was starting to write about something different from what he had been writing about. It is not a time word. Many English versions, including the New International Version, do not translate this Greek word. But your language may have a word or phrase that shows when the speaker or writer changes to a different topic. If so, it may be appropriate to use that word or phrase here.

I rejoice: In Greek the verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I rejoice is in the past tense. That indicates that Paul was happy when he received the gift. However, most English versions use a present tense. This is probably to make it clear that Paul began rejoicing when he first received the gift and was still rejoicing at the time he wrote the letter to the Philippians. You should use the tense in your language that best gives this meaning.

greatly: In the Greek this word is emphasized. Make sure this is an important word in your translation: Paul rejoiced “exceedingly” or “immensely.”

in the Lord: Paul did not rejoice for selfish reasons (that is, because of the gift alone) but in the Lord, that is, because he belonged to the Lord.

the Lord: That is, the Lord Jesus.

4:10b

that: Paul now gave the reason why he was rejoicing. This can also be translated “because.”

at last: It had apparently been a long time since Paul had heard from the Philippians or received a gift from them. The phrase at last means “now, after a long time.” It does not imply that Paul was angry or irritated that he had not heard from the Philippians earlier.

you have revived your concern for me: Paul meant “You have shown again that you are concerned for me.” The Philippians had never stopped being concerned about Paul (4:10c) but by their gift they also showed this concern.

concern: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as concern literally means “to think about someone.” It implies that the Philippians loved Paul and wanted to help him.

4:10c

You were indeed concerned: This phrase clarifies what Paul said in 4:10a–b. He did not want the Philippians to think he was accusing them of neglecting him.

indeed: The Greek idiom that the Berean Standard Bible translates as indeed literally means “for which.” Here it introduces a phrase to clarify a preceding statement and remove a wrong impression. So it can be translated as “indeed,” “actually” or “I know that.”

4:10d

but you had no opportunity to show it: One reason why Paul had not received a gift from the Philippians for a long time was probably that they had no way until then to send a gift to him. Finally, they had sent the money with Epaphroditus, who traveled from Philippi to Rome to take it to Paul.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 4:9

4:9

Scholars do not agree about how the first four verbs in 4:9 (“learned,” “received,” “heard,” “seen”) connect together. There are three possibilities:

(1) There are two pairs of verbs. The first two verbs refer to the instructions Paul gave the Philippians when he was away from them. The last two verbs may refer to what the Philippians learned from Paul when he was with them. (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version)

(2) The four verbs are all separate and do not fit into any smaller group. (King James Version, Revised Standard Version)

(3) The first three verbs go together, and the last one is by itself. (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first option as it has the strongest support from commentaries (1).

4:9a

Whatever you have learned or received: This refers to the things the Philippians had learned and accepted from Paul. Some versions have combined this into one phrase, for example:

the teachings I gave you (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all you learned from me (New Living Translation (2004))

4:9b

heard from me, or seen in me: This refers to the messages the Philippians heard Paul preach and the things they saw him do while he was with them.

in me: Paul was telling the believers at Philippi how he had acted when he was among them. They saw in what he did an example of each of the qualities he described in 4:8. The phrase in me is thus related in meaning to all four verbs “learned,” “received,” “heard,” and “seen,” but grammatically it is connected just to “seen.” It may be necessary to supply “from me” with the other three verbs, as the Berean Standard Bible has done.

put it into practice: Paul was asking them to follow his example, to obey his teaching and to imitate how he had acted.

4:9c

And: That is, “as a result of doing all this.”

the God of peace will be with you: God would give the Philippian believers peace of heart and peace with one another if they would follow the instructions that Paul had been giving them.

the God of peace: This means “the God who gives peace” (Good News Translation, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version).

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Philippians 2002