Philippians 4:14-16 14Nevertheless, you have done well by joining in fellowship in my suffering. 15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16because even in Thessalonica you sent once and twice for my need.
The transition word nevertheless (plēn) shifts the focus from Paul’s contentment to a call for the Philippians to experience the same “peace of God” (verse 9). These verses serves both as a form of thanksgiving for their generosity and an implied inspiration to continue in this way of fellowship. The Philippians had gone out of their way to help Paul at several points in his travels. He commends them for doing well by joining in the fellowship (instrumental participle syngkoinōnēsantes) of his suffering. His suffering was their suffering, just as their suffering was his. They joined together because it was for the same cause. They experienced hardship and persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. But this was more than a generic fellowship because of a similar experience. This was much deeper, as the following verses indicate.
Verses 15-16 give the specific ways the Philippians had joined in Paul’s suffering. At the beginning indicates that their partnership with Paul was over a long period of time, since this letter was written many years after Paul’s initial visit in Philippi. This church was the only church to participate in giving and receiving. It is difficult to know what these words mean. They were common as a pair in the business world of the day, like we use buying and selling or like giving credit and collecting debts. It is easier to imagine how they gave to Paul’s ministry, but they also received. Giving to others always brings blessings. Their participation in Paul’s needs and helping in the extension of the mission brought spiritual blessings, of which Paul hints in verses 17 and 19. Paul’s Macedonia ministry is described in Acts 17-18. During that journey, he visited Thessalonica. He may have been to that city on other journeys since he went through that area several times. While Paul was in Thessalonica at some point, the Philippians sent resources to help him. These verses serve to prop up the Philippians and help them remember that they part of a bigger team. As team members, they participate in both the good times and bad times. Paul is expressing his appreciation to them and also calling them to be strong in their own difficult times because they are not alone in their suffering.
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