Philippians 4 16

Philippians 4:16 kjv

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

Philippians 4:16 nkjv

For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

Philippians 4:16 niv

for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

Philippians 4:16 esv

Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

Philippians 4:16 nlt

Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.

Philippians 4 verses

Philippians 4 16 Meaning

Philippians 4:16 expresses Paul's profound gratitude to the Philippian believers for their consistent and sacrificial financial and practical support for his missionary endeavors. This particular verse specifically acknowledges their generosity extended to him "once and again" during his challenging ministry period in Thessalonica, underscoring that their partnership began early in their shared journey of faith. It signifies a deep bond and their practical participation in spreading the Gospel.

Philippians 4 16 Context

Philippians chapter 4 forms the concluding part of Paul's letter, a letter saturated with joy, partnership, and exhortation. Verses 10-20 constitute a distinct section where Paul offers sincere thanks for a recent financial gift sent via Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25-30). This particular passage (Phil 4:15-16) then goes beyond the immediate gift, recounting the long history of the Philippians' unique generosity.

Historically, after planting the church in Philippi (Acts 16), Paul moved to Thessalonica, a bustling city. There, he preached the Gospel and established a church, though his stay was marked by strong opposition, forcing him to leave quickly (Acts 17:1-9). It was during this period of significant need and evangelistic labor in Thessalonica that the newly formed Philippian church, almost immediately after its inception, sent aid to Paul, and did so repeatedly. This act demonstrates not only their extraordinary faith and love but also their rapid growth into a mature giving church, setting them apart as uniquely supportive among the early congregations Paul served. Paul often chose to work to support himself (e.g., Acts 18:3, 2 Thess 3:8-9) to avoid being a burden or to exemplify selfless ministry, but he accepted support from those who truly partnered with him, particularly the Philippians.

Philippians 4 16 Word analysis

• For (Greek: γὰρ, gar): This conjunction indicates that Paul is providing a reason or an explanation for a previous statement, connecting this past act of generosity to the broader discussion of their ongoing support and partnership in the gospel (Phil 4:10, 15).
• even (Greek: καὶ, kai): The addition of "even" highlights the particular circumstances surrounding this giving. It draws attention to the remarkable fact that their support began so early in Paul's Macedonian ministry, specifically during a challenging time and location after he had left them, rather than later or only when he was with them.
• in Thessalonica (Greek: ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ, en Thessalonikē): Specifies the geographical location where Paul was ministering when the aid was sent. This city presented significant challenges and opposition for Paul (Acts 17:5-9), indicating a period when external support would have been particularly crucial for his sustained ministry and basic survival.
• you sent aid (Greek: ἐπέμψατε εἰς τὴν χρείαν, epempsate eis tēn chreian):
  • ἐπέμψατε (epempsate): "you sent." This aorist active indicative verb highlights a specific, deliberate action initiated by the Philippian believers. It was not accidental but a purposeful act of support.
  • εἰς τὴν χρείαν (eis tēn chreian): "for the need" or "for my necessity." Chreia denotes a practical requirement or a lack. This indicates the aid was for Paul's fundamental needs, likely including financial resources for food, shelter, or travel that enabled him to focus on the Gospel without being encumbered by temporal worries.
• once and again (Greek: καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δίς, kai hapax kai dis): This idiom means "more than once," or "repeatedly," implying consistent, regular, or even proactive sending of aid. It wasn't a one-off act of generosity but a pattern of sustained support, signifying deep commitment and foresight from the Philippians.
• for my necessities (Greek: μοι, moi, which is the dative pronoun "to me" and ties directly to "for my need" from eis tēn chreian): This directly attributes the need to Paul personally. It reinforces that the aid addressed Paul's personal and ministry-related requirements during his work in Thessalonica.

Word-Groups Analysis:

• "For even in Thessalonica": This phrase establishes the specific context, emphasizing the significant historical point that the Philippians' generosity was not merely convenient or occasional but foundational and present from the early stages of Paul's Macedonian mission. It underscores the exceptional nature of their partnership, initiated almost immediately after their conversion.
• "you sent aid": This focuses on the direct and deliberate action of the Philippian church. It was their initiative and loving provision that sustained Paul, illustrating active participation in his mission through practical means.
• "once and again for my necessities": This grouping highlights the sustained nature of their support, emphasizing that their care was both repeated ("once and again") and deeply practical, addressing Paul's very real and pressing "necessities" rather than luxurious extras. It paints a picture of faithful, consistent, and much-needed assistance.

Philippians 4 16 Bonus section

• The generosity of the Philippians is frequently highlighted by Paul as an exemplary model for other churches, often categorized under "Macedonian generosity" (cf. 2 Cor 8:1-5), illustrating giving that transcends material poverty through a wealth of spiritual commitment.
• This verse provides a crucial glimpse into the practical logistics of early Christian missions, confirming that apostles like Paul, despite their occasional self-sufficiency, relied significantly on the financial and practical backing of supportive churches to sustain their extensive travels and ministry efforts.
• Paul often declined support from churches that misunderstood his ministry or used financial dependence as a point of control. His ready acceptance from the Philippians signals a unique bond of trust, love, and genuine partnership.

Philippians 4 16 Commentary

Philippians 4:16 encapsulates a remarkable facet of the Philippian church's relationship with the Apostle Paul: their pioneering and sustained partnership in the Gospel. This verse points beyond mere financial transaction to a profound spiritual fellowship. Having only recently embraced Christ through Paul's ministry in Philippi, these believers, by extending repeated aid to him in Thessalonica, demonstrated an immediate and mature understanding of "fellowship in the gospel" (Phil 1:5). This support enabled Paul to preach in Thessalonica, freeing him from secular labor there, a strategy he sometimes adopted when establishing new churches or when a church was not yet able to support him. The "once and again" aspect signifies not just a single generous act but a pattern of proactive, consistent care that deeply touched Paul. Their generosity in their infancy as a church serves as a powerful testament to their love, faith, and practical commitment to missionary endeavor, a profound example of laying up treasure in heaven through sacrificial giving (Phil 4:17). This ongoing history of support illustrates the core truth that supporting missionaries or those engaged in full-time Gospel work is an integral part of gospel participation.