Phili 4:15-20 | TNotes | STEP | 4:15 the only ones who gave me financial help: By contrast, Paul determined not to accept financial help from the Corinthians because it would have damaged the reputation of the Good News in their eyes (1 Cor 9:11-18 ; 2 Cor 11:7-12 ). He did not face such a problem with the Philippians. • when I first brought you the Good News: See Acts 16:11-40 .

4:15 ^a the only ones who gave me financial help: By contrast, Paul determined not to accept financial help from the Corinthians because it would have damaged the reputation of the Good News in their eyes (1 Cor 9:11-18 ^b; 2 Cor 11:7-12 ^c). He did not face such a problem with the Philippians.

• when I first brought you the Good News: See Acts 16:11-40 ^d.
4:16 ^e After leaving Philippi (4:15 ^f) Paul had gone to Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-8 ^g; cp. 1 Thes 2:1-14 ^h).
4:17 ⁱ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you: Paul preferred to support himself (see Acts 18:3 ^j; 1 Cor 4:12 ^k; 9:3-18 ^l; 2 Cor 11:7-11 ^m; 12:14-15 ⁿ).

• The reward would be a blessing from God.
4:18 ^o Epaphroditus (see also 2:25-30 ^p) had carried the gifts from Philippi.

• Their gifts were a sweet-smelling sacrifice: In the Old Testament, acceptable offerings were a pleasant fragrance to God (see Lev 1:9 ^q, 13 ^r, 17 ^s; 2:2 ^t, 9 ^u; 3:5 ^v, 16 ^w; cp. Rom 12:1 ^x; Eph 5:2 ^y).
4:20 ^z Having reflected on God’s glorious blessings, Paul concludes appropriately with an expression of praise to God.