And you yourselves also know Philippians that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. (Philippians 4:15)

Paul is stating here that from the very beginning of their relationship – when he brought the gospel to them, and they believed – they continued to that very day of his writing in a fellowship (κοινωνέω koinōneō – share) with him in getting the gospel out to others. Again, the reference is the concept of this fellowship (v. 14; 1: 5). Others had a one-way relationship, receiving but not giving. You alone reveals one reason why Paul loved the Philippian church. They did what others did not.^[1] Paul uses a bookkeeping picture here – a picture of a ledger with the debit and credit columns.^[2] They had made transactions that gave to Paul and helped in his ministry, as they had taken from Paul when he had ministered and brought the gospel to them.

More in-depth Insights

In the beginning of the gospel. This could mean two different things: (1) when Paul first brought the gospel to the Philippians; (2) or when the gospel began to impact their hearts.

When I left Macedonia. This letter is being written about 60-61 C.E. The last time Paul was in Macedonia was about 49-52 C.E. in Berea. Thus, about 10-12 years before this epistle was written, Paul was in Macedonia.

Acts 17:1-15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that it was necessary that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” ⁴ And some of them were persuaded^[3] and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. ⁵ But the Jews, became jealous, gathered together some wicked men from the marketplace and formed a mob and threw the city into an uproar, attacking the house of Jason and were seeking to have Paul and Silas brought out to the mob. ⁶ And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city rulers, shouting, “These men who have turned the inhabited earth upside down have come here also, ⁷ and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” ⁸ And the crowd and the city rulers were disturbed when they heard these things. ⁹ And when they had taken security^[4] from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Paul and Silas in Berea

¹⁰ The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness,^[5] examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed, and not a few of the prominent Greek women and men. ¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the message of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴ And then immediately the brothers sent Paul to go as far as to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵ Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

No church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. No church shared with Paul in his suffering and the things that he needed for his ministry, offering him relief. “I deprived other congregations by taking wages from them to serve you. And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden on any man; for when the brothers came from Macedonia, they supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and will continue to do so.” (2 Cor. 11:8-9) Paul does not tell us why this is the case. He was not blaming them, just simply stating historical facts. It simply could have been that they were unaware of Paul’s needs. But Paul is highlighting here is that he is especially commending the Philippians for their love, concern, and assistance to him.

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[1] Holman Bible Editorial Staff, ed., HCSB Study Bible (Kindle Locations 147153-147159), ed. Holman Bible Editorial Staff (B&H Publishing Group Kindle Edition, 2010).

[2] W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 264.

[3] Persuasion: (Gr. πεισμονή peismonē,  πείθω peithō) The Greek word literally means to 1.) persuade, convince (Matt. 27:20; Ac 12:20; 18:4; 19:8, 26; 23:28; 26:28). It means “to be assured of” or “to be convinced and certain of the truth of something.” Through the art of persuasion, one can cause another to adopt a certain position, view, belief, or course of action. Someone convinces or persuades another by bringing about a change of mind by means of sound, logical reasoning. Someone convinces or persuades another to adopt a new belief and to act on that belief. It also means to 2.) trust, rely (Lu 11:22; 2 Cor. 1:9); 3.) be assured (1 John 3:19); 4.) obey (Heb. 13:17); 5.) be a follower, be a disciple (Ac 5:36, 37); 6.) be certain, be sure (Heb. 13:18).

[4] That is, after taking bail or after taking bond

[5] Or with all readiness of mind. The Greek word prothumias means that one is eager, ready, mentally prepared to engage in some activity.