3. Purpose of the letter. — As Edith Bellenden's letter revealed its purpose in a postscript (see Scott, Old Mortality), so this letter also. The Philippians had sent monetary help by Epaphroditus, and St. Paul hereby acknowledges receipt of it (6.^rix'^l [TrdvTa], a terminus technicus, as is now abundantly proved) (Deissmann, Neue Bibelstudien, Marburg, 1897, p. 56, Eng. tr., Bible Studies, Edinburgh, 1901, p. 229, LicM vom Osten, p. 77 f., Eng. tr., p. llOf. ; see sdsoExp, 7th ser., vi. [1908] 91). The language of the whole passage is full of half-
humorous allusions to a financial transaction. He tells them how he is filled with Christian joy because of the proof it furnished him of the revival of their interest in him. They had, indeed, always thought about him (that he knew), but they lacked opportunity (very probably owing to poverty ; cf. P"", where possibly he expects that by a more en- lightened dya-Kf) on their part this may be avoided in the future). His joy is not that of one whose material necessities have for the moment been relieved. The fact is that he has learned the true secret of contentment (ii\jT&pKei.a), and is able to endure any material situation. He can do this not in his own strength hut in the strength of Him in whom is his life (cf. iiiol yap ri ^rjn Xpio-riis) and the source of his energy. Nevertheless, he feels keenly the transparent goodness of their succour when thus they shared in his affliction. It is, indeed, what was to be expected of them, in view of their past liberality. For he is glad to recall that at the very beginning of his European mission they opened, as it were, a bank account with him — even sending twice help to him while he was yet in Thessalonica, and, besides, when he had left Macedonia they regularly contributed to his support (cf. 2 Co IP' '). It is not the present gift itself, qua gift, that pleases him, but the spiritual reality it represents. It shows him that tliey feel their indebtedness to him. As he gave them spiritual riches, so they give him material help. His Cod is thus become their banker, and He pays large interest, now and especially here- after, when Christ through whom His riches are mediated appears in glory. Their gift then — as an exhibition of their spiritual gratitude for His un- speakable gift (cf. 2 Co 9'^) — is a sweet-smelling savour and an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God (4'"-™).
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO THE
PHILIPPIANS, EPISTLE TO THE 219
Now that Epaphroditus lias sufficiently recovered and is about to return to them, St. Paul thus acknowledges their generosity. He takes advan- tage of his intended departure to dispatch this letter (cf. Cic. ad Atticum, I. ix. 1). It may seem strange thus to postj^ne mention of their gift if this be the main object of sending the letter, but there are references in the very beginning also when the Apostle thanks God for their Koivuvla in the furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now (cf. 4">, ' in the beginning of the gospel ') ; and for this very reason he feels convinced that God will carry on in them the good work till Christ's day and complete it. Their spiritual con- dition, as evidenced by their liberality, is a proof that the perseverance of the saints shall be efi'ective in them.
He cannot otherwise regard them — his affections being witness — for, indeed, they are fellow-partici- pators with him in grace because thus they have shown their identity with him both in his chains and in his defence and confirmation of the gospel. What more graceful reference could be made than this, and wiiat more spiritual inferences drawn from Christian liberality ?
Besides, there is the reference to their offering in 2'-^{i'jUuJf 5^ atrbcToKov Kal XeiTovpydv ttjs xP^^^^ /xov).
There are, however, other objects for the letter as well as this main one. For one thing, tlie Philippians had heard of the sickness of Epaph- roditus and were anxious about him (2'°), and the Apostle tenderly refers to him and commends him to them, in view of his return, for his work's sake. Epaphroditus was evidently sent by the Philippians in order to stay with St. Paul and minister to him, and his return home so soon needed explanation, perhaps apology, and the Apostle does this in graceful and affectionate language. How he came to know of their feelings as regards Epaphroditus we are not told, but it is natural to infer that they had meanwhile written to him about this and other matters as well. Indeed, the letter becomes much more intelligible when we regard it as answering questions and meeting a situation unfolded in an actual correspondence of recent date from Philippi, which was before the Apostle as he \vrote, and which may well have conditioned the order of his topics. (That such communications took place is self-evident. He would surely have acknowledged their previous gifts, and these would be accom- panied by writing.) There is some ground, indeed, for explaining the difficult passage (3') as referring to a letter written shortly before this by the Apostle to them. At any rate, to explain the ra aird from the contents of the letter itself is not easy, and the reference to other communications is a feasible one. Zahn has used this clue in the interpretation of the letter (cf. also W. Lock, Exp, 5th ser., vi. [1897] 65 ff. ; and especially J. Rendel Harris, ib., 5th ser., viii. [189S] 16I«'.).