Supplying Our Need

Today’s key verse is Phil 4:19,

This is Paul’s epistle to the Philippians written around 60 A.D.

Philippi was a city in Macedonia (mass-uh-doe-nee-uh)

Paul established this church on his 2nd missionary journey.

This was the first church established on the European continent, located in northern Greece.

The congregation was primarily Gentiles.

They hold a special place in Paul’s heart because of unsolicited financial aid to his ministry of the gospel on several occasions.

He wrote this epistle while in prison in Rome.

The account of the cause of his imprisonment is recorded in:

Acts 16:16–20 “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;”

Continues in:

Acts 16:21–23 “and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.”

In Acts chapter 16, we see how Paul came to preach in Macedonia.

Acts 16:6–9 “Now when they (being Paul, Silas and Timothy) had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia (miss-e-uh), they came down to Troas (trO-ahs). And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.””

Acts 16:10 “Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

(Just a reminder that Luke is the author of Acts)

Quick Outline of the epistle

Chapter 1-we see that Paul prays for them.

Chapter 2- Paul commends Timothy and praises Epaphroditus (E-pa-fro-die-tus)

Chapters 3 and 4 Paul encourages them and thanks them

Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word:

Phil 4:10-19 read from my bible

I’d like to unbox this passage today, with special attention to verse 19.

One of the things that stands out to me is the tone of the epistle as compared to the others. It has a warm tone of affection and appreciation, and we’ll see why as we examine these verses, and touch on a couple of others.

Depending on the version you read, but the heading on this passage is:

Philippian Generosity

Paul’s Thanks for their gifts

Paul gives thanks to the Philippians for their generosity.

Let’s begin in verse 10.

Philippians 4:10 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.”

I rejoiced

your care for me has flourished again.

You can just feel Paul’s genuine affection and appreciation for these believers.

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”

Paul is saying “I’m not writing this because I have a need”.

What I really locked in on here is the second part of this verse:

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”.

I immediately thought about a verse from the message a couple of weeks ago:

1 Timothy 6:6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

I believe this is a key part of this passage.

Remember Paul is writing from a prison cell.

Here is a description of the conditions of Roman prison cells in 60 a.d.:

They were often dark, filthy, and poorly ventilated, and were usually underground. They were also cramped, cold, and had a foul odor from a lack of toilets. Prisoners were often kept in chains or wooden stocks, and their wounds often went untreated.

As I was preparing today’s message, A LOT of questions came to mind, some of which I will pose today.