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Selected Verse: Philippians 4:18 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 4:18 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
But--Though "the gift" is not what I chiefly "seek after" (Phi 4:17), yet I am grateful for the gift, and hereby acknowledge it as ample for all my needs. Translate, "I have all" that I want, "and more than enough." Literally, as English Version, "I abound" over and above my needs.
I am full--Greek, "I am filled full."
the odour of a sweet smell--(See on Eph 5:2). The figure is drawn from the sweet-smelling incense which was burnt along with the sacrifices; their gift being in faith was not so much to Paul, as to God (Mat 25:40), before whom it "came up for a memorial" (Act 10:4), sweet-smelling in God's presence (Gen 8:21; Rev 8:3-4).
sacrifice acceptable-- (Heb 13:16). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But I have all - Margin, "or, have received." The phrase here is equivalent to, "I have received everything. I have all I want, and desire no more." He was entirely satisfied. What they had sent to him is, of course, now unknown. It is sufficient to know, that it was of such a nature as to make his situation comfortable.
I am full - I have enough, This is a strong expression, denoting that nothing was lacking.
Having received of Epaphroditus - see the notes at Phi 2:25.
An odour of a sweet smell - This does not mean that it was such an odor to Paul, but to God. He regarded it as an offering which they had made to God himself; and he was persuaded that he would regard it as acceptable to him. They had doubtless made the offering, not merely from personal friendship for Paul, but because he was a minister of Christ, and from love for his cause; and Paul felt assured that this offering would be acceptable to him; compare Mat 10:41-42. The word "odor" refers properly to the pleasant fragrance produced in the temple by the burning of incense; notes on Luk 1:9. On the meaning of the word rendered "a sweet smell," - εὐωδία euōdia - see the notes at Co2 2:15. The whole language here is taken from an act of worship; and the apostle regarded what he had received from the Philippians as in fact a thank-offering to God, and a presented with the spirit of true devotion to him. It was not, indeed, a formal act of worship; but it was acceptable to God as an expression of their regard for his cause.
A sacrifice acceptable - Acceptable to God; compare Heb 13:16; notes, Rom 12:1.
Well-pleasing to God - Because it evinced a regard for true religion. Hence, learn:
(1) that kindness done to the ministers of the gospel is regarded as an acceptable offering to God.
(2) that kindness to the servants of God in distress and want, is as well-pleasing to God as direct acts of worship.
(3) that such acts of benevolence are evidences of attachment to the cause of religion, and are proofs of genuine piety; notes, Mat 10:42. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
I have (ἀπέχω)
I have received in full. See on Mat 6:2; see on Luk 6:24.
Odor of a sweet smell
See on Co2 2:15, Co2 2:16. Frequent in Septuagint, of the odor of sacrifices. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| An odour of a sweet smell - More pleasing to God than the sweetest perfumes to men. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
I have all - Ye have now sent me so much by Epaphroditus, that I abound in all the necessaries of life.
Having received - the things - Probably a supply of clothes and such like necessaries, as well as of money.
An odor of a sweet smell - Alluding to the sacrifices offered up under the law. With what ye have done to me, his servant, God is well pleased. See Eph 5:2, and the note there. |
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.