Philippians 4 · Verse 15

Philippians 4:15

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.

Philippians 4:15, King James Version

Philippians 4:15 in other translations

BSB	And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
WEB	You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
ASV	And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;
YLT	and ye have known, even ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news when I went forth from Macedonia, no assembly did communicate with me in regard to giving and receiving except ye only;
DARBY	And know also ye, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I came out of Macedonia, no assembly communicated anything to me in the way of giving and receiving save ye alone;
BBE	And you have knowledge, Philippians, that when the good news first came to you, when I went away from Macedonia, no church took part with me in the business of giving to the saints, but you only;
Webster	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.

What does Philippians 4:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

15. Now--"Moreover." Arrange as Greek, "Ye also know (as well as I do myself)." in the beginning of the gospel--dating from the Philippian Christian era; at the first preaching of the Gospel at Philippi. when I departed from Macedonia--(Ac 17:14). The Philippians had followed Paul with their bounty when he left Macedonia and came to Corinth. 2Co 11:8, 9 thus accords with the passage here, the dates assigned to the donation in both Epistles agreeing; namely, "in the beginning of the Gospel" here, and there, at the time of his first visit to Corinth [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ]. However, the supply meant here is not that which he received at Corinth, but the supply sent to him when "in Thessalonica, once and again" (Php 4:16), [Alford]. as concerning giving and receiving--In the account between us, "the giving" was all on your part; "the receiving" all on mine. ye only--We are not to wait for others in a good work, saying, "I will do so, when others do it." We must go forward, though alone.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. In the beginning of the Gospel. "At the time when I first preached the gospel to you; or when the gospel began its benign influence on your hearts."

When I departed from Macedonia. See Acts 17:14. The last place that Paul visited in Macedonia, at that time, was Berea. There a tumult was excited by the Jews, and it was necessary for him to go away. He left Macedonia to go to Athens; and left it in haste, amidst scenes of persecution, and when he needed sympathizing aid. At that time, as well as when he was in Thessalonica, Acts 17:1-10, he needed the assistance of others to supply his wants; and he says that aid was not withheld. The meaning here is, that this aid was sent to him "as he was departing from Macedonia;" that is, alike in Thessalonica and afterwards. This was about twelve years before this epistle was written. Doddridge.

No church communicated with me. No church so participated with me in my sufferings and necessities as to send to my relief. Comp. 2Cor 11:8,9. Why they did not, Paul does not intimate. It is not necessary to suppose that he meant to blame them. They might not have been acquainted with his necessities. All that is implied here is, that he specially commends the Philippians for their attention to him.

(b) "no church" 2Cor 11:8,9 (++) "communicated" "had intercourse"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 15 In the beginning of the Gospel - When, having preached to you, I went forth into Macedonia, I received help from none of the Churches which I had founded, but from you alone. I received nothing from any others, and nothing was offered me.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 4:10-19

It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we…

Read the full comment on Philippians 4:10-19 →

Philippians 4:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἴδατεoidateKnow

δὲdenowG1161

καὶkaialsoG2532

ὑμεῖς,humeisyou yourselves,G4771

Φιλιππήσιοι,PhilippēsioiPhilippians,G5374

ὅτιhotithatG3754

ἐνeninG1722

ἀρχῇarchēa[the] beginningG746

τοῦtouof theG3588

εὐαγγελίου,euangeliougospel,G2098

ὅτεhotewhenG3753

ἐξῆλθονexēlthonI went outG1831

ἀπὸapofromG575

Μακεδονίας,MakedoniasMacedonia,G3109

οὐδεμίαoudemiano [one]G3762

μοιmoiwith meG3165

ἐκκλησίαekklēsiachurchG1577

ἐκοινώνησενekoinōnēsenpartneredG2841

εἰςeiswith regard toG1519

λόγονlogon[the] matterG3056

δόσεωςdoseōsof givingG1394

καὶkaiandG2532

λήμψεωςlēmpseōsreceivingG3028

εἰeionlyG1487

μὴmēexceptG3361

ὑμεῖςhumeisyouG4771

μόνοι·monoialone;G3441

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 4:15

Philippians 1:5
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
2 Corinthians 11:8-12
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. …
2 Corinthians 12:11-15
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. …
Acts 16:40-17:5
And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

in the.
2Ki 5:16,20; 2Co 11:8-12; 12:11-15
I.
Ac 16:40; 17:1-5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Philippians 4:14
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Philippians 4:15
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.
Philippians 4:16
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Read all of Philippians 4

Philippians 4:15 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y sabéis también vosotros, oh Filipenses, que al principio del evangelio, cuando partí de Macedonia, ninguna iglesia me comunicó en razón de dar y recibir, sino vosotros solos.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Or vous aussi, Philippiens, vous savez qu’au commencement de l’évangile, quand je quittai la Macédoine, aucune assemblée ne me communiqua rien, pour ce qui est de donner et de recevoir, excepté vous seuls;
German Elberfelder 1871	Ihr wisset aber auch, ihr Philipper, daß im Anfang des Evangeliums, als ich aus Macedonien wegging, keine Versammlung mir in Bezug auf Geben und Empfangen mitgeteilt hat, als nur ihr allein.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Scitis autem et vos Philippenses, quod in principio Evangelii, quando profectus sum a Macedonia, nulla mihi ecclesia communicavit in ratione dati et accepti, nisi vos soli: