Philippians 4:15-16---The Context

A number of years ago I engaged in a lengthy private discussion on the scripturalness of the practice of several churches sending their funds to one church for the purpose of evangelism, i.e., the sponsoring church arrangement.

The argument used to justify such a practice attempted to make Philippi a sponsoring church for other churches. This was done by assuming that Paul received funds only from Philippi while he labored in Corinth (Phil. 4:16; Acts 18:5). However, since other churches contributed to Paul's work there (2 Cor. 11:8-9) it was concluded that the other churches must have sent their funds to Philippi which in turn sent them on to Paul in Corinth. The grouping of these three texts to make them refer to the same time frame was the best argument introduced for this type of arrangement because it was at least an appeal to the scriptures. However, as good as it is it falls far short of its intended goal.

This argument is an old one and has been used and refuted on numerous occasions. Our purpose in this study will be to share a portion of our research into Philippians 4:15-16 which served as the sole basis upon which the above-mentioned discussion was based. There are two ways to approach this study: a consideration of the text and its context and an examination of the grammar. We believe a consideration of either will not allow the position held.

The Context Vs. The Greek

(Note: as we deal with "the Greek" in this and the article to follow, let no one conclude that I fancy myself knowledgeable in that language. I deal with it only because it was introduced as an argument in our discussion and I had to respond to the arguments set forth.)

As just mentioned, great (in fact, greater) emphasis was placed on the Greek of Phil. 4:15-16 than was placed on the context. Definitions of words, tenses of verbs, etc. were introduced and stressed in an attempt to establish various essential points. However, I would point out that context must be understood first and be primary evidence in the discussion of this or any other biblical subject. Knowledge of Greek grammar is important but must serve only as secondary and confirmatory evidence. The Greek does not, as some would maintain, determine the context. The opposite, in fact, is true. Dana and Mantey in their A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament recognize that context is the deciding factor in determining the meaning and significance of various terms.

The conjunction "kai": it is left for the reader to determine which possible translation best suits the context, p. 250

Particles: the context is the final court of appeal in determining the most suitable translation, p. 259

Verbs: Transitiveness or intransitiveness belongs to the very character of the verbal idea, while voice is determined by relations to the context, especially the subject...Even the character of the verbal idea may be affected by the context, and the change of voice. The distinction to be noted is that transitiveness lies essentially in the character of the verbal idea in a given sense, while voice is determined by the context, p. 154

Prepositions: Thus to understand the full significance of a preposition one needs to know the function of the case with which it is used in each instance, the meaning of the preposition absolutely, and, which is most difficult, learn what it means relatively in each context...The best way to determine the meanings of a preposition is to study it in its various contexts and note its various uses, pp. 98-99.

The aorist tense: The same verb may, in different contexts, present all three views...However, the verbal idea as well as the context usually affects very decidedly the significance of the aorist..., pp. 195-196.

The Context

In the general context of the Philippian letter itself, notice the close feeling and relationship that existed between Paul and the Philippians:

1:3, all my remembrance of you

4, every supplication of mine on behalf of you

7, it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all

8, I long after you

25, your progress and joy in the faith

26, my presence with you again

27, I may hear of your state

2:17 the sacrifice and service of your faith

19, I also may be of good comfort, when I know of your state

4:1 my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown...my beloved

It is also obvious that they were very interested in the work Paul was doing and played a significant part in it.

1:5, your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel

2:25, your messenger and minister to my need

30, your service toward me

While this close feeling and relationship may have existed between Paul and other congregations, he speaks here only of that which existed between himself and Philippi. Likewise, while other congregations may have been interested in aiding him in his work, the emphasis is upon that which Philippi alone had done. Paul's feelings toward and relationship with other congregations involved in his work are not under consideration at all in the context of the Philippian letter.

Now notice within the context of chapter 4 Paul's emphasis upon the involvement of the Philippians in his work.

At the time he wrote the epistle...

4:10, ye have revived your thought for me...ye did indeed take thought

14, ye did well that he had fellowship

18, the things that came from you

In the absence of other information and due to the nature of the general context of the letter, one must conclude that no other churches were aiding Philippi as she sent aid to Paul.

In the past...

4:16, ye sent once and again

The same was true when they aided Paul in Thessalonica. there is nothing in the context that indicates that other churches had assisted Philippi in the support of Paul.

Now if 4:15 refers to another occasion upon which Philippi sent aid to Paul (when he was in Corinth and with the assistance of other churches), it is completely out of harmony with the context. It is not in harmony with the context to conclude that Paul would use as the basis for his thanks and acknowledgment another incident that was unlike the other two: one in which Philippi was dependent upon other congregations; one in which Philippi was not the only church involved; one in which other churches assisted Philippi; and one in which the funds were not Philippi's alone.

However, it is in harmony with the context to conclude that Paul would use as the basis of his thanks for and acknowledgment of their present help, an incident which was just like the others referred to: one in which Philippi was not dependent upon other congregations; one in which Philippi was the only church involved; one in which other churches did not assist Philippi; and one in which the funds were Philippi's alone.

Conclusion

It is the responsibility of those using these three texts to, first of all, establish from the context of Philippians 4:15-16 evidence to support the contention that the "other churches" of 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 sent their funds to Philippi which in turn sent them to Paul in Corinth, Acts 18:5. Until this is done all appeals to the Greek will be meaningless.

David Smitherman