Philippians 4:15
What does Philippians 4:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Philippians 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philippians 4:15 means
Paul recalls that from the beginning of the gospel in their region—when he left Macedonia—no other church entered into partnership with him in “giving and receiving” except the Philippians. The phrase suggests a mutual-accounting relationship: they shared resources for the advance of the message, and he shared spiritual benefit. Their early loyalty marked them as reliable co-laborers. This memory is not to shame others but to honor a consistent pattern of generosity. It shows that their current gift is part of a longstanding commitment to mission. Faithful support over time, not just occasional gifts, advances the work and knits hearts together in shared purpose.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you also know, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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;
Context
This historical reminder deepens Paul’s commendation. He is not flattering them for a single act but recognizing a track record. Next, in verse 16, he will cite a concrete example: repeated help sent while he was in Thessalonica. Then, to guard motives, he will declare that his primary interest lies in the spiritual profit credited to them (verse 17), transforming the conversation from mere logistics to eternal accounting.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- Acts 16:40
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.
- 2 Corinthians 11:8
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them that I might minister unto you;
- Philippians 1:5
for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;
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