Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
December 18, 2002
Introduction
Paul is going to close his letter to the Philippians.
We’re going to look at two very popular verses, verses that we often claim
as promises.
:10-19 Meeting Needs
:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of
me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked
opportunity.
hath flourished again – anathallo – to shoot up, sprout again, grow green
again, flourish again
care – phroneo – to have understanding, be wise; to
feel, to think; to have an opinion of one’s self, think of one’s self, to be
modest, not let one’s opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of
modesty; to think or judge what one’s opinion is; to be of the same mind i.e.
agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious; to direct one’s mind to
a thing, to seek, to strive for; to seek one’s interest or advantage; to be of
one’s party, side with him (in public affairs); Present infinitive.
“your thought of me”
“You caused your thinking of me to bloom afresh.”
were … careful – phroneo – to have
understanding, be wise; to feel, to think; to have an opinion of one’s self,
think of one’s self, to be modest, not let one’s opinion (though just) of
himself exceed the bounds of modesty; to think or judge what one’s opinion is;
to be of the same mind i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be
harmonious; to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for; to seek
one’s interest or advantage; to be of one’s party, side with him (in public
affairs); Imperfect tense
lacked opportunity – akaireomai (“not” + “timely”) – to lack
opportunity
Paul is very happy that they were thinking of him again in the fact that
they had sent him a gift. He knows that they had been thinking of him, but that
they didn’t have the opportunity to send a gift. Now that Epaphroditus had gone
to Rome, they had a way of getting
their gift to Paul.
:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
want – husteresis – want, poverty; from hustereo – behind; to fail, be wanting; to be in
want of, lack; to suffer want, to be devoid of, to lack (be inferior) in
excellence, worth
learned – manthano – to learn, be appraised; to increase
one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge; to learn by use and practice; to
be in the habit of, accustomed to
content – autarkes – sufficient for one’s self, strong
enough or processing enough to need no aid or support; independent of external
circumstances; contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the
slenderest; self-sufficient.
A.T. Robertson: Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content
with least, for autarkeia (“a mind content with
its lot) is nature’s wealth.”
A similar word is found in:
(1 Tim 6:5-6 KJV) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the
truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. {6} But
godliness with contentment is great
gain.
:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how
to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
to be abased – tapeinoo – to make low, bring low; to level,
reduce to a plain; metaph. to bring into a humble
condition, reduce to meaner circumstances; to assign a lower rank or place to;
to abase; to be ranked below others who are honoured or rewarded; to humble or
abase myself by humble living; of one’s soul bring down one’s pride; to have a
modest opinion of one’s self; to behave in an unassuming manner; devoid of all
haughtiness
Lesson
Do you know how to be “lowly”
Lower than someone else?
And be content about it?
How do you feel when someone else gets “picked” instead of you? When
someone else gets promoted instead of you?
Keep in mind, Paul is writing from prison, chained to a Roman guard.
to abound – perisseuo – to exceed a fixed number of measure,
to be left over and above a certain number or measure; to be over, to remain; to
exist or be at hand in abundance; to be abundantly furnished with, to have in
abundance, abound in (a thing), to be in affluence
Lesson
Do you know how to “abound”?
Probably more than a few of us don’t feel that we know what it means to be
wealthy.
How about “winning”? How do you handle “winning”?
We see people in the movie business and sports business who tasted success
and then crash and burn.
I think that sometimes we get caught off guard when we taste success. There
is a secret to handling times of “abundance” as well.
I am instructed – mueo – to initiate into the mysteries; to
teach fully, instruct; to accustom one to a thing; to give one an intimate
acquaintance with a thing; from musterion – hidden
thing, secret, mystery; generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only
to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals; a hidden or secret thing, not
obvious to the understanding; in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or
hidden sense
How was Paul “instructed”? “every
where and in all things” – It seems that Paul might be hinting that in all
sorts of circumstances he has been taught how to get along with abundance and
lack.
(Phil 4:12 NASB) in any and every circumstance I
have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance
and suffering need.
The word Paul uses next is something that would be connected with animals,
with nature…
to be full – chortazo – to feed with herbs, grass, hay, to
fill, satisfy with food, to fatten; of animals; to fill or satisfy men; to fulfil or satisfy the desire of any one; from chortos – the place where grass grows and
animals graze; grass, herbage, hay, provender
to be hungry – peinao – to
hunger, be hungry; to suffer want; to be needy
to abound – perisseuo – to exceed a fixed number of measure,
to be left over and above a certain number or measure; to be over, to remain;
to exist or be at hand in abundance; to be abundantly furnished with, to have
in abundance, abound in (a thing), to be in affluence
to suffer need – hustereo – behind;
to fail, be wanting; to be in want of, lack; to suffer want, to be devoid of,
to lack (be inferior) in excellence, worth
Lesson
The Secret of Contentment
Last year, the Ladies’ Retreat theme was all about “Mysteries”.
This is one of those mysteries, to figure out how to be “content” in every
circumstance.
Madison Avenue is opposed to this.
Advertising is all about making you “discontented”.
Contentment is all about feeling that you have “enough”. What you have is “sufficient”.
I think that our parents’ generation learned this in the Great Depression.
I think we need to learn to live a “simple” life. It’s pretty difficult to think this way in America.
:13 I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
all things – pas – each,
every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
I can do – ischuo – to be strong; to be strong in body,
to be robust, to be in sound health; to have power; to have power as shown by
extraordinary deeds; to exert, wield power, to have strength to overcome; to be
a force, avail; to be serviceable; to be able, can
strengtheneth – endunamoo (“in” +
“to strengthen”) – to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen; to receive
strength, be strengthened, increase in strength
“I can be strong through Christ who
endues me with strength”.
Lesson
Jesus’ power in me
The power to be “content” in all circumstances comes from Jesus.
I think we sometimes hear this verse being used as some sort of promise of
supernatural strength to pick up cars and wrestle evil-doers.
But there is a context here. God doesn’t give us a blank check for strength
to do anything.
I’m not sure that God gives us strength to rip apart phone
books. I know that God doesn’t give us strength to commit sin.
I think we need to keep in mind that the “all things” refers to learning to
“abase” and “abound” and still be “content”.
God gives us strength to do His will.
(John 15:5 KJV) I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can
do nothing.
Jesus can give us the strength to live with less.
:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
communicate with my affliction.
well – kalos – beautifully, finely, excellently,
well; rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame, well, truly; nobly,
commendably; honourably, in honour
ye did communicate with –
sugkoinoneo – to become a partaker together with
others, or to have fellowship with a thing
affliction – thlipsis – a pressing, pressing together,
pressure; metaph. oppression, affliction,
tribulation, distress, straits
(Phil 4:14 ICB) But it was good that you helped me
when I needed help.
(Phil 4:14 NIV) Yet it was good of you to share in
my troubles.
:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,
no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
the beginning – arche – beginning,
origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a
series, the leader; that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active
cause
the gospel – euaggelion – a reward for good tidings; good
tidings; the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the proclamation of the
grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ; the gospel
From the first time that Paul had gone through Philippi
and shared the gospel…
departed – exerchomai – to go or come forth of
Macedonia
– Makedonia – “extended land”; The
area of northern Greece
where Philippi was.
communicated with – koinoneo – to come into communion or fellowship
with, to become a sharer, be made a partner; to enter into fellowship, join
one’s self to an associate, make one’s self a sharer or partner
He’s talking about the church supporting him financially. They “shared”
with Paul.
concerning – eis – into, unto, to, towards, for, among
concerning – logos – word; of speech; a word, uttered
by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; what someone has said;
discourse; doctrine, teaching; matter under discussion, thing spoken of,
affair, a matter in dispute, case, suit at law; the thing spoken of or talked
about; event, deed; reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating,
reasoning, calculating; account, i.e. regard, consideration
The Philippians had “opened an account” to be able to give to Paul so he
could receive.
giving – dosis – a giving; a gift
receiving – lepsis – a receiving
:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and
again unto my necessity.
Thessalonica – Thessalonike –
“victory of falsity”. Another city of Macedonia, capital of a division of Macedonia, residence of the Roman governor.
once – hapax – once, one time; once for all
again – dis – twice
necessity – chreia – necessity, need; duty, business
ye sent – pempo – to send
:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire
fruit that may abound to your account.
I desire – epizeteo – to enquire for, seek for, search for,
seek diligently; to wish for, crave; to demand, clamour
for
a gift – doma – a gift
I desire – epizeteo – to enquire for, seek for, search for,
seek diligently; to wish for, crave; to demand, clamour
for
fruit – karpos – fruit; that which originates or comes
from something, an effect, result; advantage, profit, utility
that may abound – pleonazo – to superabound; of things; to exist in abundance; to increase;
be augmented; to make to increase: one in a thing
account – logos – word; of
speech; a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; what
someone has said; discourse; doctrine, teaching; matter under discussion, thing
spoken of, affair, a matter in dispute, case, suit at law; the thing spoken of
or talked about; event, deed; reason, the mental faculty of thinking,
meditating, reasoning, calculating; account, i.e. regard, consideration
The same word translated “concerning” in verse 15.
Lesson
God’s accounting system
Paul isn’t saying these things because he’s trying to pump them for money. He
is trying to encourage them in their ministry and to remind them that God is
building an “account” in heaven for them because of their gifts.
God keeps track of what you do.
When you support a ministry that is serving the Lord, God gives you part of the credit.
Be careful that you support the right things.
:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
I have – apecho – have; to hold back, keep off,
prevent; to have wholly or in full, to have received; it is enough, sufficient;
“have” in Mt 6:2 is modified with a prefix which changes its meaning to “have
in full” and was commonly used on business receipts to mean “paid in full”. No
payment or service was expected to follow the close of the transaction.
all – pas – each, every,
any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
abound – perisseuo – to exceed a fixed number of measure,
to be left over and above a certain number or measure; to be over, to remain; to
exist or be at hand in abundance; to be great (abundant)
I am full – pleroo – to make full, to fill up, i.e. to
fill to the full; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally; I abound,
I am liberally supplied; to render full, i.e. to complete; to fill to the top:
so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
Epaphroditus – Epaphroditos – “lovely”
This is the man who had been sent to Paul by the Philippians to help him.
The reason Paul is writing to the Philippians is because they had sent this
man Epaphroditus to Rome to deliver
financial help for Paul.
Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to the Philippians because Epaphroditus
was homesick for Philippi and wanted to see how everyone
was doing.
(Phil 2:25-30 NLT) Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus
back to you. He is a true brother, a faithful worker, and a courageous soldier.
And he was your messenger to help me in my need. {26} Now I am sending him home
again, for he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you
heard he was ill. {27} And he surely was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God
had mercy on him--and also on me, so that I would not have such unbearable
sorrow. {28} So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know
you will be glad to see him, and that will lighten all my cares. {29} Welcome
him with Christian love and with great joy, and be
sure to honor people like him. {30} For he risked his
life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while trying to
do for me the things you couldn't do because you were far away.
odour – osme – a smell, odour
sweet smell – euodia – a sweet smell, fragrance; a fragrant
or sweet smelling thing, incense, on odour or something sweet smelling; a sweet
odour, spoken of the smell of sacrifices and obligations, agreeably to the
ancient notion that God smells and is pleased with the odour of sacrifices
acceptable – dektos – accepted, acceptable; from dechomai – to take with the hand; to take up,
receive
This was a sacrifice that God was able to “receive”. Sometimes we get gifts
that aren’t very exciting. This was a gift that was exciting.
wellpleasing – euarestos – well
pleasing, acceptable
Paul is saying that the gifts that the Philippians had sent were absolutely
wonderful. They were like the offerings that he had seen made in the Temple,
a “sweet smelling sacrifice” to the Lord.
:19 But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
shall supply – pleroo – to make
full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full; to cause to abound, to furnish or
supply liberally; to render full, i.e. to complete; to fill to the top: so that
nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim; to make complete in
every particular, to render perfect
This is the same word Paul used to describe himself, saying “I am full”
(vs. 18).
all – pas – each, every,
any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
need – chreia – necessity, need; duty, business
according to – kata – down from,
through out; according to, toward, along
according to the same measure …
riches – ploutos – riches, wealth; abundance of external
possessions; fullness, abundance, plenitude; a good i.e. that with which one is
enriched
glory – doxa – opinion, judgment, view; in the NT
always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour,
and glory; splendour, brightness; a most glorious condition,
most exalted state
by – en
– in, by, with etc.
“in” – NLT, NAS, NIV, ICB
Lesson
God takes care of givers
Keep in mind the context.
This is a church that is giving sacrificially.
This is the church
of Macedonia that had established themselves with a reputation for sacrificial giving. When
Paul had taken an offering for the poor in Jerusalem,
they were the first to step up and participate:
(2 Cor 8:1-5 ICB) And
now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God gave the churches
in Macedonia.
{2} They have been tested by great troubles. And they are very poor. But they
gave much because of their great joy. {3} I can tell you that they gave as much
as they were able. They gave even more than they could afford. No one told them
to do it. {4} But they asked us again and again--they begged
us to let them share in this service for God's people. {5} And they gave
in a way that we did not expect: They first gave themselves to the Lord and to
us. This is what God wants.
In writing to the Corinthians, Paul shares with them a similar principle:
(2 Cor 9:6-11 NLT) Remember
this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one
who plants generously will get a generous crop. {7} You must each make up your
own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response
to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
{8} And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have
everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. {9} As the
Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good
deeds will never be forgotten." {10} For God is the one who gives seed to
the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many
opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great
harvest of generosity in you. {11} Yes, you will be enriched so that you can
give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them,
they will break out in thanksgiving to God.
Paul is saying that God will take care of those who are
giving generously. He will take care of them by meeting their needs so they can
continue to take care of others.
In seeing these things, I’m not sure that we should be using this verse as
an unconditional blank check that God will always provide all that we need.
This is a common verse that people will “claim”. Any person who has
financial problems is encouraged by hearing this verse, as if God is going to
always rescue you in the nick of time.
I think that in reality there may be times when God allows us to go through
“tough times” to get our attention.
The nation of Israel
would go through times of “famine” in order to bring them back to the Lord.
(2 Chr 6:28-31 NKJV) "When
there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or
grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities;
whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; {29} "whatever prayer,
whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when
each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to
this temple: {30} "then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive,
and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You
alone know the hearts of the sons of men), {31} "that they may fear You,
to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our
fathers.
The promise of this verse is towards those who are learning to give as God
would lead them.
Do you pay attention to God’s promptings to give? Are you a person who has
a regular habit of giving?
Are you supporting the ministries that God is using in your life and in the
lives of others?
The Philippians supported Paul and they supported the poor
in Jerusalem.
Lesson
God wants to provide for you.
Now that we’ve seen the context, don’t miss the promise – God wants to
provide for your needs.
Illustration
Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire
(formerly the Belgian Congo), told the following story:
A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We
tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot
water bottle we had was beyond repair. So during devotions that morning we
asked the children to pray for the baby and for her little sister who was now
an orphan. One of the girls responded, "Dear God, please send a hot water
bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And
dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won't feel so lonely." That
afternoon a large parcel arrived from England.
Eagerly the children watched as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under
some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so
earnestly started to delve deeper, exclaiming, "If God sent that, I'm sure
He also send at doll." And she was right! The Heavenly Father knew in
advance of the child's sincere requests, and 5 months before, He had led a
ladies group to include both of those specific articles.
(Rom 8:32 KJV) He that
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all things?
:20-23 Closing
:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
glory – doxa – opinion, judgment, view; in the NT
always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour,
and glory; splendour, brightness; a most glorious
condition, most exalted state
for ever … - aion - for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity
of time, eternity
:21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The
brethren which are with me greet you.
Salute – aspazomai – to draw to one’s self; to salute one,
greet, bid welcome, wish well to; to receive joyfully, welcome; Used of those
accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing
almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by
visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way (even not in the
East, Christians and Mohammedans do not greet one another); a salutation was
made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing
and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.
saint – hagios – most holy thing, a saint
greet – aspazomai – to draw to one’s self; to salute one,
greet, bid welcome, wish well to; to receive joyfully, welcome; Used of those
accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing
almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by
visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way (even not in the
East, Christians and Mohammedans do not greet one another); a salutation was
made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing
and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.
:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that
are of Caesar's household.
salute – aspazomai – to draw to one’s self; to salute one,
greet, bid welcome, wish well to; to receive joyfully, welcome; Used of those
accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing
almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by
visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way (even not in the
East, Christians and Mohammedans do not greet one another); a salutation was
made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing
and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting.
chiefly – malista – especially, chiefly, most of all,
above all
household – oikia – a house; an inhabited edifice, a
dwelling; the inmates of a house, the family; property, wealth, goods
A.T. Robertson: Not members of the imperial family, but some connected with
the imperial establishment. The term can apply to slaves and freedmen and even
to the highest functionaries. Christianity has begun to undermine the throne of
the Caesars. Some day a Christian will sit on this throne. The gospel works
upward from the lower classes. It was so at Corinth
and in Rome. It is true today. It
is doubtful if Nero had yet heard of Paul for his case may have been dismissed
by lapse of time. But this obscure prisoner who has planted the gospel in
Caesar’s household has won more eternal fame and power than all the Caesars
combined. Nero will commit suicide shortly after Paul has been executed. Nero’s
star went down and Paul’s rose and rises still.
:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy,
pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will,
loving-kindness, favor