Philippians #073 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 4:17-18
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
5709 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37918
http://www.LearntheBible.org

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Philippians #073 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
Philippians 4:17-18 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 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.

IV. THE BLESSINGS OF FAITHFULNESS (Philippians 4:17-19)

A. A Fruitful Account (Philippians 4:17)

1. The fruit of the recipient of another man’s faithfulness
a. Paul did not say these things because he desired a gift.
b. In reality, the recipient of such a gift benefits only in this life.
c. This is not to say that the recipient is not thankful, but that the greater benefit goes to the giver rather than the receiver of the gift.
d. No wonder the Bible says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
2. The fruit of a man’s faithfulness
a. Paul desired fruit to abound to the account of the believers at Philippi.
b. It would appear that faithfulness to God builds an account
(1) That God will pay again (Proverbs 19:17; Malachi 3:10)
(2) That God will increase even in this life (2 Corinthians 9:10)
(3) That God will not forget (Hebrews 6:10)

B. Assisting Others (Philippians 4:18)

1. Paul had all and abounded.
a. Though Paul knew how to be abased (Philippians 4:12).
b. The gift of the Philippians had caused Paul to abound.
2. Paul was full, having received of Epaphroditus the things sent by the believers at Philippi.
a. Epaphroditus was the brother sent to carry the gifts of the believers at Philippi to Paul.
b. He was the same brother that Paul would now be sending back to them (Philippians 2:25)
c. It is very likely that he was Paul’s amanuensis (the one who penned what Paul spoke). This is confirmed in the postscript.
(1) The importance of the spoken word (2 Peter 1:21)
a) Holy men of God spake
b) As they were moved by the Holy Ghost
(2) The token of Paul’s epistles (2 Thessalonians 3:17-18)
a) The location of his salutation (2 Thessalonians 3:17)
b) The penman of his salutation (2 Thessalonians 3:17)
c) The content of his salutation (2 Thessalonians 3:18)
(3) The common practice of the apostle
a) Tertius penned Romans (Romans 16:22)
b) Tychicus likely penned Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21 with postscript)
c) Tychicus and Onesimus likely penned Colossians (Colossians 4:7-9 with postscript)
d) As an exception, Paul penned Galatians (Galatians 6:11)