Bible Strands
Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Philippian church to acknowledge receipt of their financial support delivered by Epaphroditus. He frames this material transfer as a spiritual transaction occurring during his imprisonment.
The words — πεπλήρωμαι (peplērōmai) means "I have been filled," and δεξάμενος (dexamenos) translates as "having received." These terms establish that Paul’s sufficiency derives directly from their delivered gift.
The thread — The text describes their gift as a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice, echoing Hebrews 13:16 where God is pleased with sacrifices of doing good and sharing. It also connects to Philippians 4:12, which records Paul’s learned contentment in both abundance and need.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that material generosity functions as worship when directed toward God’s work. It requires readers to evaluate their giving not as a loss but as an act that pleases the divine.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
- Philippians 4:12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.
- Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
- Philippians 2:25 But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- John 12:3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.