Philippians 4:16

4:16 After leaving Philippi (4:15) Paul had gone to Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-8; cp. 1 Thes 2:1-14).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Php 4:16. Καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς) Δὶς, an ordinal member in this passage; i.e. not once and twice, which would be equivalent to thrice, but once and again, so that under δὶς, twice, ἅπαξ, once, is comprehended. So 1Th 2:18.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Php_4:16. Ὅτι] since, indeed, ye also already in Thessalonica, etc. It is argumentative, namely, outbidding the early definition of date ἐν ἀρχῇ … Μακεδονίας, in Php_4:15, by one even antecedent, and thus serving more amply to justify that specification of time,[192] for which purpose the ὍΤΙ specifying the reason was quite sufficient, and (in opposition to Hofmanns objection) no ΓΆΡ was necessary. The opinion of Wiesinger, that ὍΤΙ Κ.Τ.Λ. is intended to explain that it was only with the aid sent after Paul at a distance that the readers had entered into such a connection with the apostle as is previously mentioned, is bound up with the untenable interpretation of ἘΞῆΛΘΟΝ as pluperfect. The rendering of ὍΤΙ by that (Rheinwald, Matthies, Hoelemann, van Hengel, Rilliet, de Wette, Lünemann, Weiss) is to be set aside, because, while the emphatic οἴδατε καὶ ὑμεῖς, Php_4:15, accords doubtless with the exclusion of other churches in Php_4:15, it does not accord with Php_4:16 (ye also know that ye have sent … to me!), to which it would stand in an illogical relation, even apart from the uncalled-for inversion of the order of time, which would result. Hofmanns explanation, which makes ὅτι in Php_4:16 parallel to the ὍΤΙ in Php_4:15 and places it in causal relation to ΟἼΔΑΤΕ, falls with his erroneous view of Php_4:15.

The ΚΑΊ before ἘΝ ΘΕΣΣΑΛ., for which Hinsch, following Baur, thinks that he finds a reference in 2Co_11:9, is the simple also in the sense of also already; a climax as regards time; see Hartung, Partik. I. p. 135; Kühner, II. 2, p. 797.

ἐν Θεσσαλ.] is not used, in the sense of the bearers having arrived, for ΕἸς, for there is no certain instance of ἈΠΟΣΤΈΛΛΕΙΝ or ΠΈΜΠΕΙΝ with ἘΝ in this sense (Thuc. vii. 17 must, with Becker and Krüger, be read: Ἐς ΤῊΝ ΣΙΚΕΛΊΑΝ); but the preposition is used from the standpoint of the receiver: also at Thessalonica (when I was there) ye sent to me. Thus this sending took place in Thessalonica. Comp. on Mat_10:16; Poppo and Krüger on Thuc. iv. 27. 1.

καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δίς] Comp. 1Th_2:18. The conception is: when the first aid arrived, the ἐπέμψατε had taken place once; when the second arrived, it had taken place both once and twice. Paul has not written δίς merely, nor yet ἍΠΑΞ Κ. ΔΊς (1Ma_3:30; Xen. Anab. iv. 7. 10), but by καὶ ἅπ. κ. ΔΊς he sets forth the repetition of the matter more emphatically, to the praise of his readers (Hartung, Partikell. I. p. 144). Comp. καὶ δὶς καὶ τρίς, Plat. Phaed. p. 63 D, Phil. p. 59 E; Herod, ii. 121, iii. 148. The opposite: οὐχ ἅπαξ οὐδὲ δίς, Plat. Clit. p. 410 B.

εἰς τ. χρείαν] on behalf of the necessity, in order to satisfy it; comp. Php_2:15. The article indicates the necessity that had been existing in Pauls case. On πέμψαι, used absolutely, comp. Act_11:29. What they sent, they knew.

[192] If Baur had noticed this correct logical connection, he would not have made an improper use of our passage to fortify his opinion of the affair of the aid being an invented incident.The same assistance which is meant in ver. 15 cannot be meant in ver. 16, as some not attending to the καί (comp. Luther, Castalio, and others) have thought. This view is also at variance with the specification of time ὅτε ἐξῆλθον, ver. 15; for Paul abode several weeks in Thessalonica (Act_17:2), and then there still followed his sojourn in Beroea (Act_17:10 ff.), ere he quitted Macedonia and travelled to Athens.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Phi 4:16 . ὅτι κ . τ . λ . We are greatly inclined to take ὅτι here, as in Phi 4:15 , as dependent on οἴδατε . “Ye know … that at the beginning … that even in Thessalonica,” etc. Thessalonica was a city of far greater wealth and importance than Philippi. καί might, however, emphasise the fact that they began at once to support him. ἁπαξ κ . δίς is probably to be taken literally. Cf. Deu 9:13 , λελάληκα πρὸς σὲ ἄπαξ καὶ δίς ; 1Ma 3:30 , εὐλαβήθη μὴ οὐκ ἔχει ὡς ἄπαξ καὶ δίς . It is interpreted in a more general sense by Lft [59] . and Wohl [60] . εἰς τ . χρείαν . εἰς should be read with most of the best authorities. It is probably used here in a semi-technical meaning often found in Papyri (see Dsm [61] . , BS [62] . , pp. 113. 115; NBS [63] . , p. 23) and also in Paul, e.g. , 1Co 16:1 , τῆς λογίας τῆς εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους ; Rom 15:26 , κοινωνίαν τινὰ ποιήσασθαι εἰς τοὺς πτωχούς . It describes the object of gifts, collections, etc., or the various items in an account which have to be met. This interpretation accords with the financial colouring of the passage.

[59] Lightfoot.

[60] Wohlenberg.

[61] Deissmann ( BS. = Bibelstudien, NBS. = Neue Bibelstudien ).

[62] Bibelstudien

[63] Neue Bibelstudien

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

even in Thessalonica--"even" as early as when I had got no further than Thessalonica, ye sent me supplies for my necessities more than once.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 16. For even in Thessalonica] While labouring to plant the Church there, he was supported partly by working with his hands, 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:7-9; and partly by the contributions sent him from Philippi. Even the Thessalonians had contributed little to his maintenance: this is not spoken to their credit.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(16) Even in Thessalonica.—Not only after he left Macedonia, but even before that time, when he had just passed from Philippi to Thessalonica. At Thessalonica, as at Corinth—both very rich and luxurious communities—he refused maintenance, and lived mainly by the labour of his own hands (1Th_2:9; 2Th_3:8). But it appears from this passage that even then he received “once and again” (that is, occasionally, “once or twice”) some aid from Philippi “to supply his need”—that is (as in all right exercise of liberality), to supplement, and not to supersede, his own resources.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. even in Thessalonica] “Even when I was there.”—Thessalonica was just 100 Roman miles (about 92 English) from Philippi, on the Via Egnatia. Amphipolis and Apollonia were the two intermediate road-stations, about 30 miles from each other, and apparently Paul and Silas passed only a night at each, hastening to Thessalonica, where probably they spent some weeks, or even months (Act_17:1-9; and cp. Conybeare and Howson, Life and Epistles &c., ch. 9; Lewin, L. and E. &c., vol. 1. chap. 11). Thus Thessalonica was practically the Apostle’s first pause after leaving Philippi; and it was in Macedonia.

once and again] Within a short stay at the longest. In Acts 17 only “three sabbaths” are mentioned; but the Epistles to Thessalonica seem to imply that he stayed somewhat longer, by their allusions to the impression made at Thessalonica by his and his companions’ life and example. See 1Th_2:1-12; 2Th_3:7-8.

my necessity] The profits of his hard manual labour at Thessalonica (see 1 and 2 Thess. just quoted) evidently left him still very poor. He would take nothing of the Thessalonians, while still actually introducing the Gospel to them.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For even in Thessalonica,.... When the apostle was there; for from Philippi he went to Thessalonica; see Act 17:1,

ye sent once and again unto my necessity; for his use and service, to support him while he was at that place, and relieve and assist him in his necessities; for the people at Thessalonica were either not able to communicate, or were not of a beneficent disposition, or the apostle did not care to be chargeable to them; and they seem many of them to have been idle and lazy, and therefore he wrought among them with his own hands to set them an example; and the Philippians hearing and knowing that this was the case, sent frequently, while he was here, some of the brethren with gifts unto him.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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

Ver. 16. Ye sent once and again] Charity’s fountain runs fresh, More perennis aquae, and is never dried up. "The liberal man deviseth liberal things," and holdeth that only his own that he hath given to others. Hoc habeo quodcunque dedi, saith Seneca (De Ben. vi. 3).

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For even in Thessalonica; - see the notes, Act 17:1. Paul remained there long enough to establish a flourishing church. He met, indeed, with much opposition and persecution there; and, hence, it was necessary that his wants should be supplied by others.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

They, for their parts, were most commendable in this matter, that when he was in Thessalonica, the mother city, (not above twenty-five miles distant), their care for his comfortable livelihood was more than once manifested, he passing again and again through Macedonia, 1Co 16:5; 2Co 1:16; which argues his thankful resentment of the constant purpose of their mind to succour him upon all occasions.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

16. Once and again—This was at an earlier date, while he was still in the province, and so at home with them. They, perhaps, learn now, for the first time, in this free outpouring of precious memories, of the absolute need which their love had relieved.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. This shows the promptness of their generosity; they not only helped him when he departed from Macedonia; but, before that time, while he was still at Thessalonica, the city which he visited next after leaving Philippi, they sent more than once to supply his needs; Comp. 1Th_2:9 and 2Th_2:8, where St. Paul says that he avoided being chargeable to the Thessalonians; for which purpose he labored with his own hands; but, it seems, he needed additional help, and this was supplied from Philippi.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. Even in Thessalonica. After leaving Philippi Paul next labored at Thessalonica. See @Acts, chapter 17. While here the newly-founded church of the Philippians sent to him contributions at least twice. They also aided him later while he was in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:9).

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

16. καὶ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ. That is, even when I was no further away from you than Thessalonica; so prompt and generous were you.—See Act 17:1-9.—Thessalonica was just 100 Roman (about 92 English) miles from Philippi, on the Via Egnatia. Amphipolis and Apollonia were the two intermediate stations, each about 30 miles from the other and from one of the two other towns. Apparently Paul and Silas, leaving Philippi and hastening to Thessalonica, passed only a night at each intermediate place, and remained at least some weeks at Thessalonica. See Conybeare and H., ch. ix; and Lewin, L. and E. of St Paul, vol. I. ch. xi. Thessalonica was thus St Paul’s first long pause; and it lay comparatively near Philippi.

καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς. Within no very long time. In Act 17:2 we read of σάββατα τρία before the disturbances began. No certain note of time is given afterwards; but the withdrawal to Berœa was not long delayed. Short as the stay was, it was long enough to produce profound impressions, as the Thessalonian Epistles testify.

εἰς τὴν χρείαν μοι. At Thessalonica he refused to take support from the converts, and worked for his living. See 1Th 2:9, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ἐργαζόμενοι, πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐπιβαρῆσαί τινα ὑμῶν, ἐκηρύξαμεν εἰς ὑμᾶς τὸ εὐ. τοῦ θεοῦ.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16.] for even in Thessalonica (which was an early stage of my ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ Μακ., before the departure was consummated. The ὅτι gives a reason for and proof of the former assertion—ye were the only ones, &c.,—and ye began as early as ἐν Θεσσ., i.e. when I was at Thessalonica. In such brachylogical constructions the preposition of rest, as belonging to the act accomplished, overbears the preposition of motion, as belonging to it only in its imperfect state; so οἱ ἐν τῷ Ἡραίῳ καταπεφευγότες, Xen. Hell. iv. 5. 5,—ταῖς λοιπαῖς ἐν τῇ γῇ καταπεφευγυίαις ἐνέβαλλον, Thuc. iv. 14,—ἀποστελοῦντες … ἐν τῇ Σικελίᾳ, ib. vii. 17, where ἐς τὴν Σ. in Bekker’s text is a correction) ye sent both once and twice (the account of the expression being, that when the first arrived, they had sent once: when the second, not only once, but twice. So in ref.: and Herod. ii. 121, αὐτῷ κ. δὶς κ. τρὶς ἀνοίξαντι: iii. 148, τοῦτο κ. δὶς κ. τρὶς εἴπαντος Μαιανδρίου. The opposite expression, οὐχ ἅπαξ οὐδὲ δίς, is found in Plato, Clitoph. § 7) ye sent (absolute as in ref.) to (for the supply of, ref.) my necessity.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. ὅτι: ‘for,’ or ‘since,’ justifying the statement of vs. 15. Not ‘that,’ as Ril., Weiss, connecting with οἴδατε.

καὶ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ: ‘even in Thessalonica.’ A Macedonian city, near Philippi, where a church was founded by Paul before his departure into Achaia (Act 17:1-9); yet the contribution came from Philippi, and not from Thessalonica, and that while he was actually in Thessalonica. Ἐν cannot be explained as ‘to.’

καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς: ‘not merely once, but twice.’ (Comp. 1Th 2:18.)

εἰς τὴν χρείαν: ‘with reference to the (then) present need.’ Εἰς, as in 1:5; 2Co 2:12. Τὴν with a possessive sense, ‘my,’ or the particular need of the time. For χρείαν, comp. 2:25.

They are not, however, to understand him as implying that he desired their gifts principally for his own relief or enrichment. He prizes their gift chiefly because their sending it will be fruitful in blessing to them. In vs. 11 he disclaimed the sense of want. Here he disclaims the desire for the gift in itself considered.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Even in Thessalonica [και] . Better also : in addition to the contribution received at Corinth.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.