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.

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