Bible Strands
Philippians 4:16
For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Philippian believers, recalling their financial support during his initial missionary work in Macedonia. He addresses them while clarifying the nature of their partnership in the early days of the gospel.
The words — The Greek ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς (hapax kai dis) literally means "once and twice," functioning as a Semitic idiom for repeated or frequent action. The conjunction καὶ (kai) is used here with an emphatic sense to underscore the continuity of their provision.
The thread — This repeated support matches Paul’s pattern of working to avoid financial burden during his Macedonian ministry (1 Thessalonians 2:9). His note that no other Macedonian church partnered with him in giving and receiving highlights the Philippians' unique consistency (Philippians 4:15).
Why it lands — The passage records the historical fact of their material provision before Paul explains its spiritual purpose. It requires the reader to view consistent financial partnership as a concrete expression of gospel cooperation, distinct from a transactional request for gifts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9 Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
- Acts 17:1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.