Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

prior occasions (at least once). Some translate “pote” to mean “at last,” as if Paul was waiting for
his check to arrive in the mail! I think he was merely waiting for another report on their progress.
Paul realizes how silly he was to think they had forgotten him. Now that this gift has arrived, he
understands that they have been thinking about him (Durative Present tense) the entire time he
was away. Not only were they thinking about him and praying for his needs, but they had
consciously collected donations from the members of the congregation to send to him. This
would have taken some time to collect, and therefore would not have been an impulsive gift from
those who didn’t care for him. What they really wanted to do was to present this monetary
offering to him personally, rather than through Epaphroditus, but they were not able to travel to
Rome and he was not able to return to Philippi. Therefore they did not have an opportunity
(Static Present tense) to show him personally how much they cared.
REVELANT OPINIONS
They had been deprived of such an opportunity because all their giving had been channeled into the
Jerusalem Relief Fund. (F.F. Bruce) As he raises the subject of the Philippians’ gifts Paul shows a
combination of delicacy and independence. He was clearly sensitive about money matters in general.
But he has been deeply touched by their kindness, and he expresses his great joy at their thoughtful
concern for his welfare. (P. O’Brien) God has promised to provide us with our needs, not our
desires. God also provides through human channels. In this section, Paul rejoices in God’s
faithfulness to meet his financial needs through the gift sent to him by the church. (R. Gromacki)
Knowing Christ, walking in fellowship with Him, and being obedient to Him floods the life and
heart and mind of the Apostle Paul with an incomparable joy. Christ has become the center of his
life, the will of God has become the standard of his life, and the joy of God has become the fullness
of his life, so that in Christ he has found perfect rest, satisfaction, and contentment. He can testify
that he is not looking to material things or material rewards to fill up his cup of satisfaction. His cup
is being filled by Jesus Christ. (J. Pentecost)
Philp. 4:10 Now (transitional particle, enclitic & temporal)
I have received great (Gen. Spec.; much) inner happiness
(cai,rw, API1S, Constative; rejoice) in the Lord (Loc. Sph.),
because (causal) now (Adv. Time) once again (enclitic
particle of time) your (Poss. Gen.) thinking (frone,w, PAInf.,
Durative, Substantive, Articular; thoughtful concern) of me
(Obj. Gen.) has blossomed (avnaqa,llw, AAI2P, Constative;
revived: referring to their 2nd contribution of money).
Indeed (emphatic), you had been thinking (frone,w, Imperf.AI2P,
Durative; not as impulsive givers) about it (Dat. Ref.), but
(adverative) you yourselves (in person, rather than through
Epaphroditus) had no opportunity (avkaire,omai, Imperf.MI2P,
Static, Deponent; had no chance to show it to Paul outwardly
until now).