Philippians 4 · Verse 17

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Philippians 4:17, King James Version

Philippians 4:17 in other translations

BSBNot that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.
WEBNot that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
ASVNot that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account.
YLTnot that I seek after the gift, but I seek after the fruit that is overflowing to your account;
DARBYNot that I seek gift, but I seek fruit abounding to your account.
BBENot that I am looking for an offering, but for fruit which may be put to your credit.
WebsterNot because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

What does Philippians 4:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. a gift--Greek, "the gift." Translate, "It is not that I seek after the gift, but I do seek after the fruit that aboundeth to your account"; what I do seek is your spiritual good, in the abounding of fruits of your faith which shall be put down to your account, against the day of reward (He 6:10).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. Not because I desire a gift. "The reason why I rejoice in the reception of what you have sent to me is not that I am covetous." From the interest with which he had spoken of their attention to him, some might, perhaps, be disposed to say that it arose from this cause, he says, therefore, that, grateful as he was for the favour which he had received, his chief interest in it arose from the fact that it would contribute ultimately to their own good. It showed that they were governed by Christian principle, and this would not fail to be rewarded. What Paul states here is by no means impossible, though it may not be very common. In the reception of favours from others, it is practicable to rejoice in them mainly, because their bestowment will be a means of good to the benefactor himself. All our selfish feelings and gratifications may be absorbed and lost in the superior joy which we have in seeing others actuated by a right spirit, and in the belief that they will be rewarded. This feeling is one of the fruits of Christian kindness. It is that which leads us to look away from self, and to rejoice in every evidence that others will be made happy.

I desire fruit. The word "fruit" is often used in the Scriptures, as elsewhere, to denote results, or that which is produced. Thus we speak of punishment as the fruit of sin, poverty as the fruit of idleness, and happiness as the fruit of a virtuous life. The language is taken from the fact, that a man reaps or gathers the fruit or result of that which he plants.

To your account, A phase taken from commercial dealings. The apostle wished that it might be set down to their credit, he desired that, when they came to appear before God, they might reap the benefit of all the acts of kindness which they had shown him.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Not because I desire a gift - I do not speak thus to incite you to send me a farther gift; I speak this on the general subject, because I wish you to bear such fruit as shall abound to your account in the day of the Lord.

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 4:17 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.

οὐχouchNotG3756
ὅτιhotiforG3754
ἐπιζητῶepizētōI seek afterG1934
τὸtotheG3588
δόμα,domagift,G1390
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἐπιζητῶepizētōI seek afterG1934
τὸνtontheG3588
καρπὸνkarponfruitG2590
τὸνtonwhichG3588
πλεονάζονταpleonazontais aboundingG4121
εἰςeistoG1519
λόγονlogon[the] accountG3056
ὑμῶν·humōnof you;G4771

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

Cross references for Philippians 4:17

  • Titus 3:14

    And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

  • Hebrews 6:10

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:9-13

    (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; …

  • John 15:8

    Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

  • Titus 1:7

    For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

  • Luke 14:12-14

    Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

  • 1 Peter 5:2

    Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  • John 15:16

    Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:5

    Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

  • Philippians 4:11

    Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

  • Romans 15:28

    When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5

    For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
because.
11; Mal 1:10; Ac 20:33,34; 1Co 9:12-15; 2Co 11:16; 1Th 2:5; 1Ti 3:3
1Ti 6:10; Tit 1:7; 1Pe 5:2; 2Pe 2:3,15; Jude 1:11
fruit.
1:11; Mic 7:1; Joh 15:8,16; Ro 15:28; 2Co 9:9-13; Tit 3:14
to.
Pr 19:17; Mt 10:40-42; 25:34-40; Lu 14:12-14; Heb 6:10

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

Context

  • Philippians 4:16

    For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

  • Philippians 4:17

    Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

  • Philippians 4:18

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Read all of Philippians 4

Philippians 4:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No porque busque dádivas; mas busco fruto que abunde en vuestra cuenta.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		non que je recherche un don, mais je recherche du fruit qui abonde pour votre compte.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Nicht daß ich die Gabe suche, sondern ich suche die Frucht, die überströmend sei für eure Rechnung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non quia quæro datum, sed requiro fructum abundantem in ratione vestra.