REJOICING IN BLESSING Philippians 4:13-23

     As this study comes to a close, the last portion of  the letter to the Philippians you will find that you are to be
REJOICING IN BLESSING, Philippians 4:13-23.  Actually, this passage is a continuation of  the last three verses from the previous study.  It was dealing with the matter of  the Philippians giving to the .Apostle Paul.  He continues with that theme as he discusses:

I. THE BLESSING OF  GIVING--vv. 13-16
     A. Christ the Source--v. 13
          1. We can do all things through Him.
               a. Negatively
                    (I) "This is perhaps one of  the most quoted verses from the Book of  Philippians.  But did Paul intend it to be
                         used without limitations?  Paul was not referring to doing something in the sense of  learning a particular
                         profession.  Some today might say, 'If  you want to become an accomplished musician or medical doctor,
                         you can, because you can do all things through Christ." (Good News, 1/78, 22)
                    (II) Paul is not referring to Christ giving us motivation and discipline to achieve unusual things.
               b. Positively
                    (I) "He was speaking of  adjusting to circumstances.  He had learned that he could adjust to all things 'through
                         Christ.'" (Ibid.)
                    (II) "We have need of  strength from Christ, to enable us to perform not only those duties which are purely
                         Christian, but even those which are the fruit of  moral virtue.  We need his strength to teach us to be
                         content in every condition." (Henry, VI:746)
                    (III) In Him we are able to give to others.
          2. He is our strength.
               a. Meaning
                    (I) Literally infuse strength into me
                    (II) Like a shot in the arm.
               b. "Christ is the One who had enabled Paul to be content in all kinds of  circumstances.  Contentment is not
                    determined by what a person has but by what his or her relationship is to Jesus Christ." (Good News, 1/78,
                    22)
     B.Believers the Channel--vv. 14-16
          1. It is good to share--v.14.
               a. They did well.
                    (I) Note the order here.
                         (A) Paul thanked them for their gift--v. 10.
                         (B) Paul explained to them his adjustment to circumstances--vv. 11-13.
                         (C) Paul now commends them for their help--v. 14.
                    (II) "The adverb translated ‘well' is" a Greek word "meaning 'good,' but it can also have the sense of
                         'excellently' or 'nob1y.'  They had done far more than what might be expected, and Paul was highly
                         pleased by their demonstration of  love." (Good News, 2/78, 38)
                    (III) "It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble.  Here see what is the nature of  true
                         Christian sympathy; not only to be concerned for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to
                         help them." (Henry, VI:746)
               b. They participated in Paul's sufferings
                    (I) Cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26
                    (II) "The Greek word translated 'communicate' is" one "meaning 'to participate in with someone.'  They were
                         so concerned about Paul that they considered his sufferings to be their suffering." (Good News, 2/78, 38)
          2. It is great to begin---v. 16.
               a. The beginning of  the gospel
                    (I) Not when the gospel was first given out.
                    (II) When the gospel was first preached in Philippi
                    (III) "On his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul, through a vision, received a call to come over to
                         Macedonia to help those there.  He did so, and one of  the first cities he and his companions visited was
                         Philippi.  After making converts and having a prison experience (Acts 16:12-31), Paul and his fellow
                         workers visited other locations in Macedonia." (Ibid.)
                    (IV) Macedonia is present-day northern Greece.
               b. When I departed from Macedonia.
                    (I) He left Macedonia after having been in Thessalonica--Acts 17:10-15.
                    (II) "They not only maintained him comfortably while he was with them, but when he departed from
                         Macedonia they sent tokens of  their kindness after him; and this when no other church did so.” (Henry,
                         VI:745-6)
               c. No church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
                    (I) They had fellowship with him in giving.
                    (II) As concerning means as to an account.
                    (III) "The words 'giving and receiving' (. . .) were a bookkeeping expression relating to credit and debit.  It
                         was as if  Paul was saying, 'No other church opened an account with me except you.'" (Good News,
                         2/78, 39)
                    (IV) Whether Paul actually kept a record in a book of  their giving , it is not certain; though he used those
                         terms, he at least knew they gave.
          3. It is best to continue--v. 16.
               a. Even in Thessalonica
                    (I) After Paul left Philippi (Acts 16:40) he went through Amphipolis and Appollonia, and came to
                         Thessalonica.
                    (II) He met fierce opposition in Thessalonica from unbelieving Jews.
                    (III) "But what a joy it must have been for him in the midst of  this opposition to receive a gift from those he
                         had just led to the Lord." (Good News, 2/78, 39)
               b. Once and again
                    (I) Means both once and twice
                    (II) "In the light of  the fact that Paul was in Thessalonica less than a month (Acts 17:2), it is significant that the
                         Philippians sent two gifts in such a short time." (Ibid.)
               c. They sent to his necessity.
                    (I) "The Philippians had received spiritual blessings through Paul, and they responded by sharing with him their
                         material possessions.  They were practicing what Paul had instructed the Galatians." (Ibid.)
                    (II) Galatians 6:6
                    (III) "It was but little which they sent; they sent only to his necessity, just such things as he had need of;
                         perhaps it was according to their ability, and he did not desire superfluities nor dainties." (Henry, VI:746)
                    (IV) "He gratefully used the gifts presented to him, but he did not spend his time bemoaning his situation and
                         concentrating on his needs.  His satisfaction was derived not from circumstances but from his relationship
                         with Jesus Christ.  What an example he was to all believers!" (Good News, 2/78, 39)

II. THE BLESSING OF  RECEIVING--vv. 17--20
     A. The Fruit--v. 17
          1. Paul was not seeking a gift.
               a. Let's review.
                    (I) Paul was grateful for the Philippians' gift--v. 10.
                    (II) Paul expressed his adjustment to circumstances--vv. 11-13
                    (III) Paul commended the Philippians for sharing with him--v. 14.
                    (IV) Paul emphasized their repeated giving--vv. 15, 16.
                    (V) Now, he explains why he was pleased with their gift.
               b. He did not desire a gift.
                    (I) "Again, he made sure they understood that he was not moping around in a discouraged state because of
                         his material deeds.  The word translated 'desire' (. . .) meant 'to inquire for' or 'to seek after.'  None of
                         Paul's words or actions were to be interpreted by the Philippians as indicating that he was seeking financial
                         gifts from them." (Good News, 3/78, 28)
                    (II) Paul is saying in effect--"'I welcome your kindness, not because it adds to my enjoyments, but because it
                         adds to you account.'  He desired not so much for his own sake, but theirs." (Henry, VI:747)
          2. Paul wanted fruit on their account.
               a. The word fruit
                    (I) What a gardener expects from his planting
                    (II) Paul had planted good seed and expected fruit in return, not for himself but for them.
               b. "The word translated 'account' (. . .) is the same word that occurs in verse 15 in the phrase 'concerning giving
                    and receiving.'  The phrase in verse 15 is equivalent to 'having an account' for it was a first century business
                    expression.  In verse l7, Paul referred to credit place on the account of  the Philippians because of  their gift."
                    (Good News, 3/78, 28-9)
               c. "That is, that you may be enabled to make such a good use of  your worldly possessions that you may give an
                    account of  them with joy.  It is not.with any design to draw more from you, but to encourage you to such an
                    exercise of  beneficence as will meet with a glorious reward hereafter." (Henry, VI:747)
               d. "How strange!  A gift intended to benefit the receiver became an even greater benefit to the giver!  How can
                    this be?  The answer is in verse 18." (Good News, 3/78, 29)
     B. The Sacrifice--v. 13
          1. Paul made full by their gift.
               a. Has all, and abound, and is full.
                    (I) "Inasmuch as Paul stressed that he was not seeking a gift because the Lord had enabled him to adjust to all
                         kinds of  circumstances, now that he had received a gift he considered himself as having 'all' and as
                         abounding." (Ibid.)
                    (II) I have all things--"As a receipt in full in appreciation of  their kindness." (Robertson, IV:462)
                    (III) "It was undoubtedly a moderate sum that they had sent, but he says, that by means of  that moderate sum
                         he is filled to satiety." (Calvin, 128)
               b. Had received of  Epaphroditus the things.
                    (I) This phrase suggests that it may have been more than mere money.
                    (II) "Note, A good man will soon have enough of  this world; not only of  living in it, but of  receiving from it.
                         A covetous worldling, if  he has ever so much, would still have more; but a heavenly Christian, though he
                         has little, has enough." (Henry, VI:747)
          2. God well-pleased with their sacrifice
               a. An odor of  a sweet smell
                    (I) Negatively
                         (A) This does not mean that they sent him perfume.
                         (B) "Not a sacrifice of  atonement, for none makes atonement for sin but Christ." (Ibid.)
                    (II) Positively
                         (A) " . . . a sacrifice of  acknowledgment, and well-pleasing to God.  It was more acceptable to God as it
                              was the fruit of  their grace than it was to Paul as it was the supply of  his want." (Ibid.; italics are his.)
                         (B) "Paul was here most likely referring to the burnt, meal (or grain) and peace offerings mentioned in
                              Leviticus 1-3.  These offerings were voluntary acts of  worship and were considered a sweet savour to
                              the Lord.  Paul now viewed the gifts sent to him by the Philippians to be voluntary acts of  worship of
                              the Lord and, thus, they were 'an odour of  a sweet smell . . . to God' (Phil. 4:18)." (Good News,
                              3/78, 29)
               b. A sacrifice, well-pleasing to God
                    (I) cf. Hebrews 13:16
                    (II) "This [is] why Paul was so pleased with the gifts--because he knew God was pleased with them and that
                         God would credit these gifts to the account of  the Philippians." (Ibid.)
                    (III) "The similitude of  sacrifices, . . . adds much emphasis, by which we are taught, that the exercise of  love
                          which God enjoins upon us, is not merely a benefit conferred upon man, but is also a spiritual and sacred
                          service which is performed to God." (Calvin, 128)
     C. The Supply--vv. 19, 20
          1. The source--v. 19a
               a. God is ever the source of  all that is good.
               b. Cf. James 1:17
          2. The need--v. 19b
               a. Paul had needs; God supplied his needs through the Philippians.
               b. ". . . notice in the context that it emphasizes one particular reason for God's meeting the needs of  the
                    Philippians. They had given of  their means to support one in the Lord's work and because of  that Paul was
                    confident that God would meet their needs," (Good News, 3/78, 29)
               c. There are many needs in the Lord's work--"Surely it is legitimate to extend the principle not only beyond giving
                    to those in the Lord's work but also to the expense involved in the Lord's work itself ." (Ibid.)
               d. Notice it says needs not wants--"There is no license here for being irresponsible in financial affairs and yet
                    thinking that God is obligated to meet a person's needs just because he is a Christian." (Ibid.)
          3. The provision--v. 19c
               a. According to His riches
                    (I) "God does not simply give 'out of ' His riches, He gives 'according to' them.  There is no limit to God's
                         riches.  He does not just give believers enough to meet individual situation, but He has 'blessed them with
                         all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ' (Eph. 1:3)." (Ibid.)
                    (II) "He does as it were draw a bill upon the exchequer in heaven, and leaves it to God to make them amends
                         for the kindness they had shown him.  'He shall do it, not only as your God, but as my God, who takes
                         what is done to me as done to himself.'" (Henry, VI:747)
                    (III) "God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul.
                         The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it." (Robertson, IV:462)
               b. In glory by Christ Jesus
                    (I) In glory
                         (A) Means in a glorious way or speedily.
                         (B) It can also suggest that the ultimate reward is in glory, that is, in heaven.
                         (C) This writer prefers and has always understood the latter.
                    (II) By Christ Jesus
                         (A) "He adds, however, by Christ, in whose name everything that we do is acceptable to God." (Calvin,
                              129; italics are his.)
                         (B) "Through him we have grace to do that which is good, and through him we must expect the reward of
                               it. Not of  debt, but of  grace; for the more we do for God the more we are indebted to him, because
                               we receive the more from him." (Henry, VI:747)
          4. The glory--v. 20
               a. This is a note of  praise.
                    (I) "The doxology flows out of  the joy of  the whole epistle." (Robertson, IV:463)
                    (II) "This may be taken as a general thanksgiving, by which he closes the epistle; or it may be viewed as
                         bearing more particularly upon the last clause in reference to the liberality shewn to Paul." (Calvin, 129)
               b. There are two things to note here.
                    (I) "God is to be considered by us as our Father:  Now unto God and our Father.  It is a great
                         condescension and favour in God to own the relation of  Father to sinners, and allow us to say to him, Our
                         Father; and it is a title peculiar to the gospel dispensation.  It is also a great privilege and encouragement
                         to us to consider him as our Father, as one so nearly related and who bears so tender an affection towards
                         us.  We should look upon God, under all our weaknesses and fears, not as a tyrant or an enemy, but as a
                         Father, who is disposed to pity us and help us." (Henry, VI:747; italics are his.)
                    (II) "We must ascribe glory to God as a Father, the glory of  his own excellence and of  all his mercy unto us.
                         We must thankfully own the receipt of  all from him, and give the praise of  all to him.  And our praise must
                          be constant and perpetual; it must be glory for ever and ever." (Ibid., italics are his.)

III. THE BLESSING OF  BENEDICTION-~vv .21-23
     A. The Greeting--vv. 21, 22
          1. Greet every saint--v. 21a
               a. The word salute means to greet or to say hello for me.
               b. "'Give my hearty love to all the Christians in your parts.'  He desires remembrances not only to the bishops and
                    deacons, and the church in general, but to every particular saint.  Paul had a kind affection to all good
                    Christians." (Ibid.)
          2. Those here greet you--v. 21b, 22a
               a. All of  Paul's companions send their greetings--"The ministers, and all the saints here, send their affectionate
                    remembrances to you." (Ibid., italics are his.).
               b. Illus:  When my wife calls our daughter, she sends greetings from all of  us.
          3. Those of  Caesar's household--v. 22b
               a. Negatively--In all probability these were not members of  the emporer's family.
               b. Positively
                    (I) "'. . . the Christian converts who belonged to the emperor's court.'  Observe, . . . There were saints in
                         Caesar's household.  Though Paul was imprisoned at Rome, for preaching the gospel, by the emperor's
                         command, yet there were some Christians in his own family.  The gospel early obtained among some of
                         the rich and great.  Perhaps the apostle fared the better, and received some favour, by means of  his
                         friend at court." (Ibid.)
                    (II) "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 in Corinth and in Rome.  It is true today." (Robertson, IV:463)
               c. Comparatively
                    (I) With Paul's companions--"Chiefly those, &.c.  Observe, They, being bred at court, were more
                         complaisant than the rest.  See what an ornament to religion sanctified civility is." (Henry, VI:747; italics
                         are his.)
                    (II) With Nero
                         (A) "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." (Robertson, IV:463)
                         (B) In regards to "those of  the household of  Nero--a thing well deserving to be noticed; for it is no
                              common evidence of  divine mercy, that the gospel had made its way into that sink of  all crimes and
                              iniquities." (Calvin, 129)
     B. The Grace--v. 23
          1. The common benediction
               a. This benediction or variation appears at or near the close of  every letter of  Paul.
               b. Notice
                    (I) Romans 16:24
                    (II) 1 Corinthians 16:23
                    (III) 2 Corinthians 13:14--The most complete of  all of  them
                    (IV) Galatians 6:18
                    (V) Ephesians 6:24
                    (VI) So forth
               c. "The free favour and good will of  Christ be your portion and happiness." (Henry, VI:747)
          2. The important source
               a. Grace is always from the Lord.
               b. Remember Philippians 1:2
          3. The final word
               a. Amen
               b. So be it.

     The apostle has concluded his letter with Rejoicing in Blessings.  He spoke about "The blessing of  giving" found in verses 13-16; he considered "The blessing of  receiving" in verses 17-20; and he concluded with "The blessing of
benediction" covered in verses 21-23.  What a great way to end any letter and/or period of  time with blessings!

     Are you rejoicing in the blessings you received this year?  If  not, perhaps you need to examine your heart to see if  you have trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour.  If  you have not, DO SO NOW!