Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Philippians 4:19

πληρώσει. So אObadiah 1:2 cKL, most cursives, copt arm æth, Chr (twice). D2*G2, 17 37, and several other cursives, vulg, Chrys (twice) Cyr Victorin and other fathers read πληρώσαι. All recent Editors -σει. In such a case it is the more likely alternative that the assertion would be softened, in copies or quotations, into an aspiration.

τὸ πλοῦτος. So א*Obadiah 1:2*G2, 17. Most cursives and quotations read the masc. form, τὸν πλοῦτον.

19. ὁ δὲ θεός μου. “And my God,” R.V. But there is surely a slight implied contrast, or correction; as if he said, “I would requite you if I could; but my God will do so.”

ὁ θεός μου. Words deeply characteristic of St Paul; see on Philippians 1:3 above. Lightfoot well remarks that they are specially in point here; the Apostle is thinking of what God will do for others on his behalf.

πληρώσει. The future of the certainty of faith. For πληροῦν χρείαν cp. Psalms 126 (Heb., 127):5, μακάριος ὃς πληρώσει τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν αὐτοῦ.

πᾶσαν χρείαν ὑμῶν. “Your every need.” See again 2 Corinthians 8:2 for the exceptional poverty (ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία) of the Macedonian converts. The main reference here is, surely, to temporal “need”; such need as the Philippians had so lovingly “filled” for St Paul. See 2 Corinthians 9:8-9, δυνατεῖ ὁ θεὸς πᾶσαν χαρίν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑμᾶς, ἵνα κτλ.: where the first thought seems to be of God’s ability to give His self-denying servants the means for yet further bounties for His work. But neither here nor there are we to shut out the widest and deepest applications of the promise.

κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος αὐτοῦ ἐν δόξῃ. According to, on the scale of, those resources which reside in the δόξα of His manifested power and love; in fact, in His revealed Self. Cp. Romans 6:4 for such a use of δόξα: ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς … διὰ τῆς δόξης τοῦ πατρός.

Lightfoot explains the thought to be, “He shall supply your need by placing you in glory,” the glory of His heavenly presence. But this seems to be somewhat far-fetched, and indeed to be out of place if the explanation of χρεία given above is right.

St Paul loves the word πλοῦτος, and its cognates, in spiritual connexions. Cp. Romans 2:4; Romans 9:23; Romans 10:12; Romans 11:12; Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2.

ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Cp. Colossians 2:9-10, ἐστὲ ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι: and 1 Corinthians 1:5, ἐν παντὶ ἐπλουτίσθητε ἐν αὐτῷ. The “glory” of both grace and providence is lodged in Him for His people.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Philippians 4:19

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