Philippians 4:18

But He carries on the correction, begun in Philippians 4:17, of a possible misunderstanding of his warm words. He must not be thought to "spell" for future gifts, least of all now, so amply supplied as he is.

I have all The Greek verb is one used in connexions of payment, to express a full receipt. We might almost paraphrase, "you have paid me in fullin all respects."

and abound It is enough, and more than enough; I "run over" with your bounty. See Philippians 4:12, above.

Epaphroditus See on Philippians 2:25; Philippians 2:30. We learn definitely here that he was the bringer of the collection.

the things He seems to avoid the word "money." It was more than money; the coin was the symbol of priceless love.

an odour of a sweet smell See Ephesians 5:2, for the same Greek phrase. It is common in LXX. as the translation of the Heb. rêach níchóach, a savour of rest; the fume of the altar, smelt by the Deity, (in the picture language of typical sacrifices), and recognized as a token of welcome allegiance or propitiation. See note in this Series on Ephesians 5:2. Here the fragrance is that of either the "burnt-offering" of self-dedication (see Leviticus 1:9), or the "meal offering," or "peace offering," of thanksgiving (see Leviticus 2:2; Leviticus 3:5), or of both combined, as they are combined in our Liturgy of the Holy Communion.

a sacrifice acceptable&c. Cp. last note, and Hebrews 13:16. See also Ephesians 6:8, and note in this Series.

I. PHILIPPI AND THE EPISTLE. (Ch. Philippians 4:18)

From an essay by Prof. J. Agar Beet, in The Expositor(January, 1889), I extract the closing sentences:

"With this reply [the Epistle], a gift infinitely more precious than that he brought from Philippi, Epaphroditus starts on his homeward journey. The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the Church at Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the Church itself passes from our view. To-day, in silent meadows quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive Church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that Church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation, the letter written in a dungeon at Rome and carried along the Egnatian Way by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light Divine, and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths in life. As I watch, and myself rejoice in, the brightness of that far-shining light, and glance at those silent ruins, I see fulfilled an ancient prophecy: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."