4:10 I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.) 1 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. 4:12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, 2 whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 4:13 I am able to do all things 3 through the one 4 who strengthens me. 4:14 Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.
4:15 And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 4:16 For even in Thessalonica 5 on more than one occasion 6 you sent something for my need.
1 tn Grk “for you were even concerned, but you lacked opportunity.”
2 tn The words “of contentment” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by Paul’s remarks at the end of v. 11.
3 tn The Greek word translated “all things” is in emphatic position at the beginning of the Greek sentence.
4 tc Although some excellent witnesses lack explicit reference to the one strengthening Paul (so א* A B D* I 33 1739 lat co Cl), the majority of witnesses (א2 D2 [F G] Ψ 075 1881 Ï sy) add Χριστῷ (Cristw) here (thus, “through Christ who strengthens me”). But this kind of reading is patently secondary, and is a predictable variant. Further, the shorter reading is much harder, for it leaves the agent unspecified.
5 map For location see JP1-C1; JP2-C1; JP3-C1; JP4-C1.
6 tn Or “several times”; Grk, “both once and twice.” The literal expression “once and twice” is frequently used as a Greek idiom referring to an indefinite low number, but more than once (“several times”); see L&N 60.70.