SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:17
No porque busque ddivas; mas busco fruto que abunde en vuestra cuenta.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philippians 4:17
Verse 17. Not because I desire a gift] I do not speak thus to incite you to send me a farther gift; I speak this on the general subject, because I wish you to bear such fruit as shall abound to your account in the day of the Lord.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Not because I desire a gift , etc.] This commendation of them he entered into, not because he desired another present to be made to him, either by them or others; he was not a man of such a disposition, he was not like one of those that could never have enough; he was fully satisfied and highly contented with what he had; he was not like the false teachers, that made merchandise of men; he sought not theirs, but them: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account ; he had planted them, or had been an instrument in planting of them, as trees of righteousness, ( Isaiah 61:3); and his great desire was to see fruits of righteousness grow upon them, ( Philippians 1:11); by which sometimes are meant acts of beneficence, as in ( 2 Corinthians 9:10); and that these might be abundant and turn to their profit and advantage, as such fruit does; for God does not forget to recompence acts of bounty, and labours of love, but if even a cup of cold water is given to a prophet or minister of Christ, on account of his being so, it shall have its reward in the issue of things, upon the casting up of accounts, ( Matthew 10:42); for the apostle still has reference unto that; his view was, that the balance might be on their side, and that much might be received by them; so that it was not for himself, but for their encouragement and future good, he said this; for as for himself he adds, Ver. 18. But I have all things, and abound , etc.] Or I have received all things, as the Syriac version renders it; all that they had sent by Epaphroditus; and for which he now gives a receipt; and by virtue of which he now abounded; and which abundance of his was not so much owing to the largeness of their presents, as to the peace of his mind; looking upon this gift of theirs, though it might be but small in itself, a fulness to him; for he adds, I am full ; as much as he desired, he wanted no more, he had enough: having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you : and which he acknowledged, that the character of this good man might stand clear, who had been intrusted with this affair: an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God , this is said in allusion to the sacrifices under the former dispensation, in which God smelled a sweet savour, ( Genesis 8:21), in reference to which, as the sacrifice of Christ is said to be of a sweet smelling savour, ( Ephesians 5:2), and as the spiritual sacrifices of the saints, as praises and prayers, are called odours, ( Revelation 5:8), and are said to be acceptable unto God, ( 1 Peter 2:5); so acts of beneficence are called sacrifices, with which he is well pleased, ( Hebrews 13:16).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-19 - It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for ou friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontente even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submissio and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness an prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle ha no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness a will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεχω 568 5719 V-PAI-1S δε 1161 CONJ παντα 3956 A-APN και 2532 CONJ περισσευω 4052 5719 V-PAI-1S πεπληρωμαι 4137 5769 V-RPI-1S δεξαμενος 1209 5666 V-ADP-NSM παρα 3844 PREP επαφροδιτου 1891 N-GSM τα 3588 T-APN παρ 3844 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP οσμην 3744 N-ASF ευωδιας 2175 N-GSF θυσιαν 2378 N-ASF δεκτην 1184 A-ASF ευαρεστον 2101 A-ASF τω 3588 T-DSM θεω 2316 N-DSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:17 {I seek for} (epizt"). Old verb, in N.T. only here and #Ro 11:7 (linear present, I am seeking for). Lightfoot calls it "the Apostle's nervous anxiety to clear himself" of wanting more gifts. Why not say his delicate courtesy?
