Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

19. But ] R.V., “ And.” But surely there is a slight contrast meant, to an implied wish that he could send back some material requital of his own to alleviate their “deep poverty” (2Co 8:2).

my God ] Words deeply characteristic of St Paul. See on Php 1:3 above. Bp Lightfoot well remarks that the phrase is specially in point here; the Apostle is thinking of what God on his behalf shall do for others.

shall supply ] Promise, not only aspiration. He is sure of His faithfulness. “Supply”: lit., “ fill,” pouring His bounty into the void of the “need.”

all your need ] R.V., somewhat better, every need of yours. See again, 2Co 8:2, where the exceptional poverty of the converts of Northern Greece is referred to. The prominent thought here is, surely, that of temporal poverty. Cp. particularly 2Co 9:8, where the first reference seems to be to God’s ability to supply to His self-denying servants always more from which they may still spare and give. But neither here nor in 2 Cor. are we for a moment to shut out the widest and deepest applications of the truth stated.

his riches in glory ] His resources, consisting in, and so lodged in, His own “glory” of Divine power and love. Cp. Rom 6:4, and note in this Series, for a similar use of the word “glory.” Bp Lightfoot prefers to connect “ shall supply, in glory, your need, according to His riches,” and he explains the thought to be, “shall supply your need by placing you in glory.” But we venture to think this construction needlessly difficult. Anything in which God is “glorified” (see e. g. Gal 1:24) is, as it were, a reflection of His holy glory, and a result of it. Tender providential goodness to the poor Philippians would be such a result.

On St Paul’s love of the word “riches” in Divine connexions, cp. Eph 1:7, and note in this Series.

in Christ Jesus ] “in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead,” “in whom” the saints are “filled,” as regards all their needs (Col 2:9-10). The “glory” of both grace and providence is lodged, for His people, in Him.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

But my God shall supply all your need – That is, You have shown your regard for me as a friend of God, by sending to me in my distress, and I have confidence that, in return for all this, God will supply all your needs, when you are in circumstances of necessity. Pauls confidence in this seems not to have been founded on any express revelation; but on the general principle that God would regard their offering with favor. Nothing is lost, even in the present life, by doing good. In thousands of instances it is abundantly repaid. The benevolent are not usually poor; and if they are, God often raises up for them benefactions, and sends supplies in a manner as unexpected, and hearing proofs of divine interposition as decided, as when supplies were sent by the ravens to the prophet.

According to his riches in glory – see the notes, Eph 3:16. The word riches here means, His abundant fullness; His possessing all things; His inexhaustible ability to supply their needs. The phrase in glory, is probably to he connected with the following phrase, in Christ Jesus; and means that the method of imparting supplies to people was through Jesus Christ, and was a glorious method; or, that it was done in a glorious manner. It is such an expression as Paul is accustomed to use, when speaking of what God does. He is not satisfied with saying simply that it is so; but connects with it the idea that whatever God does is done in a way worthy of himself, and so as to illustrate his own perfections.

In Christ Jesus – By the medium of Christ; or through him. All the favors that Paul expected for himself, or his fellow-men, he believed would be conferred through the Redeemer. Even the supply of our temporal needs comes to us through the Saviour. Were it not for the atonement, there is no more reason to suppose that blessings would be conferred upon people than that they would be on fallen angels. For them no atonement has been made; and at the hand of justice they have received only wretchedness and woe.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Php 4:19

My God shall supply all your need

The need and the supply

Paul declares that the contributions of his Philippian friends are pleasing to him, and acceptable to God.

He cannot requite their kindness, but declares that God can and will.

I. The extent of the supply. The emphasis is on all.

1. There are many promises of this kind even in the Old Testament. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, etc. But in all their fulness we find them only in the gospel, where Christ tells us that our heavenly Father knows our need, and caring as He does for sparrows and lilies will much more care for us.

2. This promise is exceeding broad. It is not restricted–

(1) In the nature of its object, but comprehends temporal and spiritual good.

(2) Nor in the absolute measure of the good it possesses; not your occasional, but your constant need; not one kind, but every kind; not a portion, but all.

3. It is possible to misinterpret the promise. We are not to make it the ground of foolish expectations. God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves, nor gratify our whims. The promise has a just and obvious limit. God will supply our need. He does more, but does not engage to do so; and He is the final and righteous Judge of what our needs are. We may not feel the want of what God sees we require. We may desire wealth, or health of body, but God may see that we need spiritual riches and health of soul, and to give the latter He may have to withhold the former. Take the case of Paul who prayed for deliverance from his thorn in the flesh. Gods response was grace to bear it, and Paul saw that his need was supplied, and then gloried in his infirmity.

II. Its means–riches in glory, or glorious riches, a phrase indicative of the wealth of Deity; but more than this, for behind the works of His hand there is the uncreated wealth of His own infinity. Here we come to an ocean without a bottom or shore. What we see gives us a small idea of the Divine possibility. Notwithstanding all that God has given, His ability to give remains undiminished.

III. Its medium. The passage is sometimes made to read out of His riches and glory. This is true, but what Paul means is that our need is supplied by a certain method. We are under a mediatorial government. By Christ God made the worlds. Through Him, too, comes daily bread and daily pardon. The promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Apart from Him there is no mercy to anyone. Prayer is only heard as offered in His name.

IV. Its certainty. There is no doubt or contingency: God shall do it. Some one has said that the apostle here draws a bill on the exchequer of heaven that God will make the wants of the Philippians His own care. Rather let us say that he draws a bill which he is assured God will honour the moment it is presented in believing prayer. What are the grounds for this?

1. The apostle knew that God loved His own children with a peculiar love, and was therefore sure to take care of the Philippians.

2. He knew that God approved of their act, and would therefore compensate them.

3. He knew his own standing with God. We have friends for whom we can say that for our sakes they would do what we desire, and God thus puts Himself in human conditions and enables Paul to claim Him as his own. (J. Stacey, D. D.)

Our need and supply

I. Examine the scope of the promise. There is danger of fanaticism in the interpretation of truth. God promises to supply our needs, but not to gratify our wishes or whims.

II. The supply is not according to our deserts, but according to the riches of His glory: i.e., His glorious wealth. The resources of the Trinity are drawn upon. Jesus bade His disciples to ask, that their joy might be full. He does not delight in a sad, starved Church, but in one that is joyful, well fed.

III. The medium. Through Christ. But God ordains means and puts us under conditions. As in agriculture, so here, we are to work in harmony with Gods established methods, if we would secure fruits. (M. Staple, D. D.)

Mans needs and Gods wealth

I. Mans needs and Gods wealth.

1. Mans needs are–

(1) Physical. There is no creature with so many wants.

(a) The creatures far beneath him have not so long and so helpless an infancy, and acquire much sooner the means of self support.

(b) There are successive births in the same life. Man passes from one stage to another, higher and still higher; but he never reaches the platform where he finds perfection.

(c) We may learn the greatness of his nature from the character of his wants. He must have a world made for him and all things in it must serve him.

(d) His needs are constantly recurring. He has marvellous powers of receptivity. The world may empty its treasures at his feet, and yet leave crying needs.

(2) Social. Life can only develope itself by clinging to other forms of life. The affections require some object round which to twine, and thus give beauty to life. The words father, mother, brother, etc., represent the needs of his social nature. Let him be deprived of any of these and he ever after feels that he is poor.

(3) Mental. The mind in its best state is like the garden of Eden; but it may be like a wilderness which brings forth only thorns. It needs teachers, books, culture; the libraries of the world represent its needs.

(4) Moral.

(a) Man is a sinner, and that is enough to express his utter poverty. He needs nothing short of Gods great salvation. He has left his Fathers house and gone into a far country, and having spent all, he begins to be in want.

(b) With the new life there are new capacities. He wants light–the conditions of life–and God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness must shine in our heart. He wants love–God. Nothing short of the Infinite can satisfy him.

(c) There are great changes in this life which give birth to great needs.

(d) There are needs which stretch into the future. Man has time, he wants eternity; he has earth, he wants heaven; he has houses and lands, he needs an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. He wants the perfect life, without suffering, without sin, without sorrow.

2. Gods wealth. How poor all words are in describing the riches of God, the boundless wealth of His nature.

(1) There are some figures that help us; there is the sun. God is our Sun. The sun pours light not only on the tops of the mountains, but into the depths of the valleys; gives colourings to the countless leaves that quiver in mighty forests, and kindles the incense of the world. There are the pulsations of the ocean. In its fulness it pours its tide on our shores, and its waters flow on till they have filled every bay and creek and inlet. The pulsations of Gods goodness are felt through the universe: The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.

(2) There are some titles that help us, such as the God of hope, the God of peace, the God of all comfort, the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, the Father of lights. But what a revelation of Gods wealth we have when we are told God is love. His promises represent His wealth, and are convertible into realities any day and any hour. His gospel reveals His purposes, His thoughts, His grace. Do you want mercy? He keepeth mercy; it is treasured in His nature as in a storehouse. Strength? He giveth power to the faint. Truth for your understanding? There are revelations as you are able to bear them, visions regulated by the souls capacities to see them. Love for your heart? Build a sanctuary, let its dimensions be vast, for in proportion to the greatness of the temple will be the manifestations of the Divinity. Get up into one of the worlds highest mountains and look around, and then claim all.

II. The experience of the highest life shows the connection between the needs of man and the wealth of God.

1. The life of the apostle illustrates our text. One class of needs creates another, and if the highest are supplied the others can be endured. The man who wrote the text had suffered every kind of need, and had therefore large conceptions of human want; but his need had been supplied, and therefore he had large conceptions of Gods wealth.

2. We have the best illustrations of this in his prayers. We may learn from the prayers of men how great the wealth of God must be. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. if our needs took outward form, what endless processions we should see going up to the throne of God, all asking. What prayers have gone up from tabernacle, temple, venerable sanctuaries, the pavements of which are worn by generations of kneeling worshippers. What prayers have gone up from men in the depths, from men in the height! What prayers we have heard prayed from our fathers and mothers! What prayers we have prayed. The answers to these reveal the connection between mans needs and Gods wealth.

III. With what certainty the apostle speaks. This certainty must have come from his faith in God.

1. In the affluence of the Divine life. The universe is but the outward clothing of the thought of God. The gospel with its provision for the need of man is the revelation of the heart of God, and the outpouring of its love.

2. In the benevolence of the Divine nature, wherever God proclaims His name, He makes His goodness to pass before men. If our relationship to our children is the proof of our willingness to give them good gifts, how much more so in regard to God.

3. In the inexhaustibleness of the Divine resources. God is a fountain always overflowing: if the streams should fail there would be a universal bankruptcy of life.

IV. With what intense satisfaction the apostle speaks. He had a large mind and heart, and fitly represented the genius of Christianity. There are some who think only of themselves, and appear to value the gospel all the more because they limit it to a few. If they have bread, they care not if the whole race starves; if they are saved, they care not if the whole world is lost. But this treasure was placed in the apostles hands and in ours that man may be enriched. Our need supplied is an assurance that God will supply the need of every man.

V. God supplies our needs through Jesus Christ. How much more precious gifts are when they come through the hands of those who love us. (H. J. Bevis.)

Mans need supplied from Gods riches

I. Mans necessity. Strictly speaking, all creatures are equally indigent, whether sinners or saints. Out of God there is no self-sufficiency. But circumstances, though they cannot add to our inherent emptiness and dependence, may add materially to our necessities, and that in three ways.

1. When a creature is placed in a situation unfavourable to his happiness. An infant, e.g., in his mothers arms, is as needy as want and helplessness can render it, but take it from its mother and cast it into the sea and it needs to be rescued as well as nourished; a deliverer as well as a mother.

2. When there is something within himself counteracting his welfare. A sick man needs more help than one in health; a man with a wounded spirit more comfort than one with a mind unwrung.

3. When he is destined for a high station. A monarchs son requires more care in training than a peasants. A barbarian does well enough in his native woods, but set him apart for a high state of civilization and you add to him many wants. Put these three things together and we shall have some idea of the extent and urgency of the Christians need. We are in a state unfavourable to our happiness; there is sin within us; we are designated for a station for whose pursuits we have naturally no desire. We are needy as creatures, as sinful creatures, as redeemed creatures.

II. Gods wealth. The apostle has not in his mind all the blessings which God possesses in Himself, but those which are adapted to our present state of want and our future state of exaltation–gospel blessings, the riches of His grace, the mercies offered to sinners.

1. The figure contains two ideas.

(1) Their abundance. It is not one or two pieces of gold that make a man rich, nor power to relieve one or two beggars. There must be large resources. And where is the want for which Gods gospel does not offer a remedy? Where the blessing He is not able to bestow? Millions on millions can no more exhaust His store that we with the hollow of our hand could empty the sea.

(2) Their excellence. We do not deem worthless things riches however abundant. A mass of sand would never be called a treasure. And what so precious as Gods mercies? We can no more estimate their value than their abundance. We can no more say We know their utmost worth than We have taken them all.

2. Why are they called riches in glory? Perhaps the term

(1) may refer to heaven, the storehouse of spiritual blessings.

(2) Or it may be equivalent to glorious riches. In this case it may mean that these riches

(a) are magnificent as well as excellent and abundant.

(b) That they bring glory to their possessors, and are honourably acquired and spent.

(c) That they are glorious in their tendency and use. They not only come out of glory but lead to it–whereas earthly riches are often debasing and injurious.

III. The supply for this necessity out of this wealth. This supply is–

1. Certain.

2. Abundant. Not according to our necessities but to Gods riches; suited to His character not ours; commensurate with His magnificence rather than with our poverty and meanness.

3. Adapted to our real, not imaginary need.

4. Through Christ.

(1) He purchased them for us. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

(2) He receives them for us as our representative.

(3) He bestows them on us. It is the connection it has with Christ that makes this supply certain, for it is the stipulated reward of His sufferings; abundant, for those sufferings were of infinite worth; glorious, because its bestowal brings glory to Him. (C. Bradley, M. A.)

Provision for the way

Joseph filled his brethrens sacks with corn, which they were to carry home with them. But in addition he gave them provision for the way. This, compared with the other, was a small thing, but the other would never have reached home without it. So we know that there is a glorious portion in the heavenly Canaan, but we have a wilderness journey to pro vide for: and Jesus, our Covenant Joseph, who has charge of the treasures of heaven, has not forgotten this.

I. The nature of this provision.

1. This is embodied in the word need. This is all that God undertakes to provide for. There are many things that others have that we should like; there are many things that we feel we could make good use of if we had them; there are many things that our pride, ambition, desire for self-indulgence prompt us to crave, but we do not find them in this provision.

2. This word need has a variety of meanings which take their shape from the character and aim of the person to whom it refers. The man who goes to business with the consciousness that by twelve oclock he has a note to take up for five thousand dollars–needs that amount of money. The mariner needs favouring breezes to aid him in reaching port. The farmer needs rain and sunshine to ripen and mature the grain. And so in the case of the Christian. His need does not take in what will minister to present gratification, but what will be useful in promoting his eternal interest. What this is God only knows and can give.

3. The psalmist teaches us the meaning of the word when he says, No good thing will God withhold from His people. But this good thing may mean disappointment, sickness, poverty. But whatever the souls interest requires is our need.

II. Its extent. This will be best illustrated by scriptural examples.

1. Jobs need could only be supplied by passing through a peculiar experience; but it was supplied. He was led into the furnace, supported through it, and brought out of it.

2. Noahs need could not be met without a demand on faith and obedience such as had never been made before. But Noah believed and obeyed God, built the ark and was saved.

3. Jacobs need could only be met by Josephs being governor of Egypt, and this involved much grief.

4. Abrahams need could only be met by the stern call to offer up his son, and the result of that action will follow him throughout eternity in untold blessings.

5. And so with Moses, David, Daniel, Jonah, and Paul.

III. The rule by which this provision is regulated. It would have been a great thing had the apostle said, According to His riches in grace. These riches are marvellous, and show us what God is doing for His people here. But riches in glory point to what He will hereafter do for us in heaven. These eye hath not seen, nor ear heard. When St. John gazed through the veil he only tells us of the foundations and walls of the heavenly home as made of precious jewels; its gates of pearls, and streets of gold; and then leaves us to infer what the riches in glory must be. Tempted, burdened, needy Christian, the riches lavished on yonder home are pledged for thy supply.

IV. The agent by whom this provision is administered. How tenderly God has considered our comfort in constituting Christ the agent. With whom could the administering of this supply be so safely left as with Him?

1. How able He is to help.

2. How willing.

3. How ready.

4. How close and always at hand.

V. Its certainty. This is the promise of the God of eternal truth. Did His promise ever fail? Can the scripture be broken. (R. Newton, D. D.)

Sure supplies

I. God is rich–gloriously rich.

1. In life. He is the living God.

2. In the power of imparting life–a fountain that can never be exhausted.

3. In strength. Is anything too hard for the Lord.

4. In knowledge and wisdom. Oh, the depth, etc.

5. In mercy. He spared not His own Son.

6. In all that constitutes goodness.

7. The earth is full of His riches–there is not a poor province in creation.

8. He is rich in possession, for all things were created by Him and for Him.

9. Rich without obligation to another, for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things.

10. This gloriously rich God is our Father, and to His boundless wealth His firstborn had free access.

But they became prodigal, and all their younger children have trodden in their steps, and now we have not free access to the whole of our Fathers wealth. We now inherit Gods glorious riches by Christ Jesus, and become heirs of God by becoming joint heirs with Him.

II. The Christians supplies are sure. This is secured–

1. By the source–God.

(1) The ordinary sources of supply to us are ever changing and multiplying as we advance. The first we recognize is that which we denominate my mother; then my father; then my teachers; then my books and companions; then my trade or profession; then my husband, wife, friends, country, Church.

(2) But these are only subordinate sources of supply–cisterns which cannot long hold water. My mother and father–their days are as grass; my friends–how many are worthy of the name; my daily calling–if it yield bread enough is a weariness; the happy wife may become a widow; upon your country you may have to turn your back; the Church may be a wilderness to you. With everything you now term my you may be disappointed and disgusted.

(3) But Paul is positive that this source shall never fail, because it cannot.

2. By the channel–Christ Jesus.

(1) When our supplies fail the channel is sometimes at fault and not the source. The supply of fuel in midwinter sometimes fails, not because the coal fields are exhausted, but because the snow blocks the railways. The supply of water or gas may be insufficient, not because the reservoirs are low, but because the pipes are broken. A good scheme perishes through bad agents; and though sure of the source if we be doubtful of the channel we can never speak confidently of the supply.

(2) But in this case we are as sure of the channel as we are of the source. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

3. By the scale of distribution. According to His glorious riches.

(1) Human supplies are not always according to means. The rich husband will sometimes supply his wife so sparingly that the wife of the working man is less straitened. Not according to their wealth do some parents educate their children, but according to their niggardliness. Wealthy masters remunerate their servants according to their own selfish hearts. Offerings cast into Gods treasury are often only according to necessity. But when we find men supplying the need of others according to their resources we are sure that they are kind and liberal, and are sure to supply the need of all that are dependent upon them.

(2) Now God gives according to His glorious riches. Not as the poor give, in the abundance of their poverty; not as the rich, when they give grudgingly; not according to our low views, restrained prayer, or feeble faith; not according to any liberality we see in each other. If the gloriously rich God give according to His wealth we may say with confidence, My God shall supply, etc.

III. The knowledge of God is essential to confidence in Him. There are few things in which we are oftener disappointed than the resources of our supplies. This is especially the case with men who look for patrons to carry them forward. The power to help is overestimated: disappointment comes and confidence is wrecked. Now this man knew God, and that knowledge was the basis of his trust. He had looked to God for the supply of his need of wisdom, guidance, protection, strength, etc., and God had supplied it. With this personal experience of the riches of the Divine liberality, he says, My God shall supply all your need. (S. Martin.)

Comfort for the needy

I. Your need–is great–diversified–constant.

II. The supply–suitable–seasonable–abundant.

III. The source of supply–certain–inexhaustible–free. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Filling the empty vessels

I. Set out the empty vessels.

1. It is not supposed that you need to borrow other peoples needs: you have enough of your own. Set them out–in a long row, all of them. Needs for your body and needs for your soul; needs for your families, for the present, for the future, for time, and for eternity. Your needs are as many as your moments and the hairs of your head.

2. Some of these empty vessels are large and are growing larger. Our wants grow upon us. One loaf sufficed once: it would not go far at your table now: the loaves vanish there like snow in the sun. You have more infirmities. You never needed so much as you do now.

3. Some of these needs, if supplied tonight, would be empty vessels tomorrow morning. Yesterdays old patience is stale stuff. You must grow more of that sweet herb in your garden. We are like the fabled vessels of mythology that were so full of holes that the fifty daughters of Danaus could never fill them.

4. Some of our needs are very pressing. Bring, then, your urgent needs. Set them all out in this row of empty pots.

II. Who is to fill these empty vessels? My God will supply all your need. Nobody else can. He can. Paul says: See, my God has supplied me. He will also supply you. Pauls God is the God of providence. He is also the God of grace. He that spared not His own Son, shall He not with Him freely give us all things? He is also the God of heaven. The riches of nations are as rags and rottenness in comparison with His resources.

III. In what style will God supply His peoples needs?

IV. By what means does the Lord fill His peoples needs? (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The Christians want and supply book

On a tradesmans table I noticed a book labelled Want Book. What a practical suggestion for a man of prayer! He should put down all his needs on the tablets of his heart, and then present his want book to his God. If we knew all our need, what a large want book we should require! How comforting to know that Jesus has a supply book, which exactly meets our want book! Promises, providences, and Divine visitations, combine to meet the necessities of all the faithful. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

God will supply our need

The Rev. Hansard Knollys was among the Christian ministers, who, in the seventeenth century, were the subjects of persecution. He was prosecuted in the High Commission Court and fled to America: whence after a time he returned. Having lived for some time in obscurity in London, he had but sixpence left, and no prospect for the support of his family. In these circumstances he prayed, encouraged his wife to remember the past goodness of God, and to reflect on the promise, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; paid his lodging and then went out, like Abraham, not knowing whither he went. He had walked only a few steps, when he was met by a woman who told him that some Christian friends had prepared a residence for him and his family, and had sent him money and other comforts. They were impressed with this manifestation of Divine goodness to them, and his wife exclaimed, O dear husband I how sweet it is to live by faith, and trust Gods faithful word! Let us rely upon Him whilst we live, and trust Him in all straits.

The faithfulness of God

Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, said that his epitaph might appropriately be, Here lies one of the cares of Providence, who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them. (Thomas Cooper.)

Sufficiency of the Divine resources

God is satisfied with Himself, and sufficient to His own happiness. Therefore, surely, there is enough in Him to fill the creature. That which fills an ocean will fill a bucket; that which will fill a gallon will fill a pint; those revenues which will defray an emperors expenses are enough for a beggar or poor man. (T. Manton, D. D.)

The nearness of the provision

Ability and willingness to help are not sufficient of themselves. They must be always at hand just when and where we may require them. How often the help of earthly friends fails just here. We see this strikingly illustrated in the case of Hedley Vicars. He was wounded in one of those sanguinary conflicts before Sebastopol. His wound was not necessarily mortal The surgeon understood the nature of the wound perfectly. He felt sure that it could be cured, and he was perfectly ready and willing to do all he could for his suffering friend. But still Hedley Vicars died of that wound. And why? Because in the hurry and tumult of that terrible morning, on the gray heights of the Crimea, the regiment which Hedley Vicars commanded was carried far away from the tent that held the supplies. A bandage was needed to tie up the bleeding artery. But this bandage was in yon distant tent; and ere the tent could be reached, the brave Christian soldier was no more. In speaking of this circumstance afterwards, at a public meeting in England, one of the friends of the departed hero said, with the pathos of true affection, If there had been a bandage within reach–if the tent of supplies had been half a mile nearer, Hedley Vicars might have been alive today. There was knowledge, and power, and willingness to help. But just the one thing needed was not at hand, and so there was a failure to meet the pressing need. But such a thing can never occur with Him in whose hands our supply is left. (R. Newton, D. D.)

The exactness of the Divine supply

Harms of Hermannsburg, the pastor of a poor village on the Luneberg Heath in Hanover, said in his annual missionary sermon in 1857: I have expended much in the past year in sending out the ship with her fifteen passengers, for the printing house, the press, and the paper, altogether 14,781 dollars, and I have received altogether 14,796 dollars, so I have fifteen dollars over. Is not that a wonder? So much spent, and yet something over! And I thank God that He has given us the fifteen dollars overplus. Riches only makes cares. God has heard all my prayers. He has given me no riches, and I have also no debts. We have neither collected nor begged, but waited patiently on God in prayer.

Christ adapted to human need

You cannot name a noble figure, a sweet simile, a tender or attractive relationship, in which Jesus is not set forth for the comfort and encouragement of His people. Are we wounded? He is balm. Are we sick? He is medicine. Are we naked? He is clothing. Are we poor? He is wealth. Are we hungry? He is bread. Are we thirsty? He is water. Are we in debt? He is our Surety. Are we in darkness? He is our Sun. Have we a house to build? He is the Rock on which to build it. Have we a black and gathering storm to face? He is a strong tower to which we may flee and be safe. Are we to be tried? He is our Advocate. Is sentence passed, and are we under condemnation? He is our pardon. To deck Him out and set Him forth Nature culls her finest flowers, brings her choicest ornaments, and lays these treasures at His feet. The skies contribute their stars. The sea gives up its pearls. From fields, and rivers, and mountains, earth brings the tribute of her gems–her gold, her frankincense and myrrh, the lily of the valley, the clustered vine, and the fragrant rose of Sharon. (T. Guthrie, D. D.)

Mercies stilt left

There was a man who came over from New York some years ago, and threw himself down on a lounge in his house and said, Well, everythings gone. They said, What do you mean? Oh, he replied, We have had to suspend payment; our house has gone to pieces–nothing left. His little child bounded from the other side of the room and said, Papa, you have me left. And the wife, who had been very sympathetic, and very helpful, came up and said, My dear, you have me left. And the old grandmother, seated in a corner of the room, put up her spectacles on her wrinkled forehead and said, My son, you have all the promises of God left. Then the merchant burst into tears and said, What an ingrate I am! I find I have a great many things left. God, forgive me. (T. De Witt Talmage, D. D.)

The promise should inspire fearlessness in Divine service

Your business–you cannot neglect that! Call to mind the story of the rich English merchant to whom Elizabeth gave some commission of importance, and he demurred to undertake it, saying, Please, your majesty, if I obey your behests what will become of these affairs of mine? And his monarch answered, Leave those things to me; when you are employed in my service I will take charge of your business. So it will be with you. Do but surrender yourself to Christ, and He, of His own free will, takes in hand all your affairs. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Neglect of the promise

Many years ago, an aged and ragged Indian wandered into one of our western settlements, begging for food to keep him from starving. A bright-coloured ribbon was seen round his neck, from which there hung a small dirty pouch. On being asked what it was, he said it was a charm given him in his younger days. He opened it, and took out a worn and crumpled paper, which he handed the person speaking to him for inspection. It proved, on examination, to be a regular discharge from the Federal army, entitling him to a pension for life, and signed by General Washington himself. Here was a man, with a promise duly signed, which, if presented in the right place, would have secured to him ample provision for the way; and yet he was wandering about hungry, helpless, and forlorn, and begging for bread to keep him from starving! What a picture we have here of many Christians, who, with all the promises of Jesus in their hands–with the charter of their inheritance in full possession, are yet gloomy, and sad, and starving in the wilderness! (R. Newton, D. D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 19. My God shall supply all your need] As you have given to me in my distress, God will never suffer you to want without raising up help to you, as he raised you up for help to me.

According to his riches] His fulness is infinite; and through Christ, whose followers we are, he will dispense every requisite blessing of providence, grace, and glory, to you.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

But my God: see Phi 4:3; he saith my God, because he imputeth and owneth that to be done to himself which is done according to his mind unto any of his ambassadors, he having received the gift from their hand by Paul.

Shall supply all your need; will, in a gracious return to Pauls prayer, abundantly answer (yea, above all he could ask or think) all their expectations, Psa 41:1-3, with 2Co 9:8,10.

According to his riches in glory; agreeably to his own fulness and rich mercy, Psa 24:1; 1Co 10:26; Eph 2:4; gloriously, or riches of his glory, Eph 3:16, and goodness, Rom 2:4; 9:23; sustaining and defending them liberally and powerfully here, to his own glory, and taking them hereafter into everlasting glory.

By Christ Jesus; through the mediation of, and by virtue of their communion with, Christ Jesus.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

19. myPaul calls God here “myGod,” to imply that God would reward their bounty to HISservant, by “fully supplying” (translate so, literally,fill to the full) their every “need” (2Co9:8), even as they had “fully” supplied his “need”(Phi 4:16; Phi 4:18).My Master will fully repay you; I cannot. The Philippians investedtheir bounty well since it got them such a glorious return.

according to his richesThemeasure of His supply to you will be the immeasurable “riches ofHis grace” (Eph 1:7).

in gloryThese wordsbelong to the whole sentence. “Glory” is the element inwhich His rich grace operates; and it will be the element IN which Hewill “supply fully all your need.”

by Christ Jesusbyvirtue of your being “IN” (so Greek, not “by”)Christ Jesus, the Giver and Mediator of all spiritual blessings.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

But my God shall supply all your need,…. Or “fulfil all your need”: the Jews, when they would comfort any, under the loss of any worldly enjoyment, used to say, , “God fulfil”, or “will fulfil thy need” f. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read these words as a wish or prayer, “but may my God supply” or “fulfil all your need”; I am not able to make you any returns, but I pray that my God would recompence it to you, that as you have supplied my want, he would supply all yours; but we with others, and as the Ethiopic version, read, “shall” or “will supply”; as an assertion by way of promise, though he could not, yet his God would; he who was his God, not only as the God of nature and providence, or as the God of the Israelites, but as the God of all grace; who had loved him as such, had chosen, adopted, regenerated, and sanctified him; who was his God in Christ, and by virtue of the covenant of grace, and which was made known in the effectual calling; whose ambassador he was, and whom he had faithfully served in the Gospel of his Son; this God, who had been his God, was and would be so unto death, in whom he had an interest, and because he had an interest in him, and was thus related to him, be firmly believed, and fully assures these saints, that he would supply their wants who had been so careful of him: believers, though they need nothing as considered in Christ, being complete and filled full in him, having in him all grace, and all spiritual blessings, and under believing views of this at times, see themselves complete and wanting nothing; yet, in themselves, they are poor and needy, and often want fresh discoveries of the love of God to them, fresh supplies of grace from Christ, stand in need of more light from him, and to be quickened according to his word; they want fresh supplies of strength from him answerable to the service and work they are daily called to; and as their trials and afflictions abound, they have need of renewed comfort to support under them; and have also need of fresh manifestations and applications of pardoning grace to their souls, and fresh views of the righteousness of Christ, as their justifying righteousness before God; and, in a word, need daily food for their souls as for their bodies: now God, who is also their God, is able and willing to supply their wants; and he does so, he withholds no good thing from them, nor do they want any good thing needful for them, for he supplies “all” their need; and this they may expect, since he is the God of all grace, and a fulness of grace is in his Son; and this grace is sufficient for them, and a supply of it is given them by the Spirit;

according to his riches; God is rich not only in the perfections of his nature, which are inconceivable and incommunicable; and in the works of his hands, of creation and providence, the whole earth is full of his riches, Ps 104:24, and according to these riches of his goodness he supplies the wants of all creatures living; but he is also rich in grace and mercy, Eph 2:4, and it is according to the riches of his grace he supplies the spiritual wants of his people, and he does it like himself, according to the riches he has; he gives all things richly to enjoy, plenteously and abundantly:

in glory: in a glorious manner, so as to show himself glorious, and make his people so, to the glory of his rich grace; and “with glory”, as it may be rendered, with eternal glory; he will not only give grace here, and more of it as is needful, according to the abundance of it in himself and in his Son, but glory hereafter: and all

by Christ Jesus; and through him, who is full of grace and truth; who is the Mediator in whom the fulness of it lies, and through whose hands, and by whom, it is communicated to the saints: or “with Christ Jesus”; along with him God gives all things freely, all things pertaining to life and godliness: or “for the sake of Christ Jesus”; not for any worth or merit in men, but for the sake of Christ, in whom they are accepted, and on whose account respect is had to their persons, and so to their wants.

f T. Bab. Betacot, fol. 16. 2. Debarim Rabba, sect. 4. fol. 239. 4.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

According to his riches in glory ( ). God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul. The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it.

Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

In glory. This is differently connected by expositors. Some with riches, as A. V. and Rev. Others with shall supply, but with different explanations, as, shall supply your need with glory : in a glorious way : by placing you in glory. It is better to construe with shall supply, and to explain in glory as the element and instrument of the supply. The need shall be supplied in glory and by glory; by placing you in glory where you shall be partakers of glory.

Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament

1) “But my God,” (ho de theos man) “Indeed my God,” to Paul he was a personal, living, accessible God, 1Co 8:6; Act 17:22-27. Paul’s God was cognizant, aware of his trials and would reward not only him, but also those who had helped him, 2Ti 4:8.

2) “Shall supply all your need” (plerosei pasan chreian humon) will fill every need of you all,” Paul accepted Jesus as his lamb and Shepherd for salvation, guidance, provision, and protection, Psa 23:1-6, and Jesus Christ as his all-in-all sufficient one, Mat 6:33; 2Co 3:5; Heb 13:5; Psa 23:1-6; Psa 84:11.

3) “According to his riches” (kata to ploutos autou) according to or on the basis of his riches,” in essence of his nature and character, his creation and ownership of the world, and his reconciliation of all things to himself in Jesus Christ.

4) “In glory by Christ Jesus” (en dokse en Christou lesou) “In glory in Christ Jesus,” What a storehouse of life and power from which to draw, 2Co 8:9; 2Co 5:18-20; Rom 8:19-23; 1Co 3:21-23; 1Co 15:28.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

19 My God will supply Some read impleat — in the optative — May he supply. (258) While I do not reject this reading, I approve more of the other. He expressly makes mention of God as his, because he owns and acknowledges as done to himself whatever kindness is shewn to his servants. They had therefore been truly sowing in the Lord’s field, from which a sure and abundant harvest might be expected. Nor does he promise them merely a reward in the future life, but even in respect of the necessities of the present life: “ Do not think that you have impoverished yourselves; God, whom I serve, will abundantly furnish you with everything necessary for you.” The phrase, in glory, ought to be taken in place of the adverb gloriously, as meaning magnificently, or splendidly. He adds, however, by Christ, in whose name everything that we do is acceptable to God.

(258) “ Comme si c’estoit vn souhait que sainct Paul feist; ” — “ As if it were a wish that St. Paul expressed.”

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

19. And my God shall supply every need of your according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Translation and Paraphrase

19. But (though you have given so much, you need never worry about having your needs provided, for) my God will fill all your need (just as you have filled mine; and he will do this) in a glorious way, according to his (limitless) riches (in glory, which are dispensed) in Christ Jesus.

Notes

1.

Lest any of the Philippians should be fearful as to how they could now get along since they had given such a large gift to Paul, Paul assures them that God would supply ALL their needs.

The Philippians lived in a depressed, poverty-stricken area. See note 12 under Php. 4:14-16.

2.

Php. 4:19 is one of a number of precious verses that assures us that God will always care for the physical needs of his children. Mat. 6:33; 2Co. 9:8.

3.

Paul speaks of God as MY God. He is very near and real to Paul.

4.

God will supply our need according to his riches. God owns everything. (Psa. 24:1; Psa. 50:10-12). His glory fills the whole earth. (Isa. 6:3). This promise is too vast for us to comprehend even in part. But it is a promise that we can rejoice in to the very utmost of our capacity to grasp it.

5.

The phrase in glory probably refers to the manner of Gods supplying (He will gloriously supply), rather than to the location or nature of the riches (riches up in glory).

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

(19) My God.The expression is emphatic. St. Paul had accepted the offerings as made, not to himself, but to the God whose minister he was. Hence he adds, my Godthe God, whom ye serve in serving me.

All your need.Properly, every need of yours, spiritual and temporal.

In glory.We have already noticed the constant reference to glory in the Epistles of the Captivity. Where the word relates to God in Himself, His glory is His true nature as manifested to His creatures; where it refers to man, glory is the perfection of mans nature in the communion with God in Heaven. Here the latter sense is obviously to be taken. The supplying of every need out of the riches of Gods love can only have its consummation in the glory of the future. That it is in Christ Jesus is a matter of course; for He is to change even our body of humiliation to be fashioned like unto the body of His glory (Php. 3:21).

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

19. My God shall supply You have supplied my one need, but my God, whose I am, and for whose sake you have done it, shall supply your every need. We take the promise to include both the temporal and the spiritual, limited, on the one hand, only by our necessity in the circumstances in which we are placed, and, on the other, only by the infiniteness of his riches in his state of glory. Measure this who can! The sole condition is, in Christ Jesus, through whose mediation all fulness is given, and in believing fellowship with whom alone can it be looked for.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’

So as they had supplied his need as a servant of God, they could now be sure that God would supply all their needs in accordance with His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. They would find that God too would be more than generous, and that was because by their generous attitude towards those in God’s service they had proved themselves to be His people. Furthermore God’s generosity would far outweigh theirs. For no greater riches could in fact be imagined than those described here, in which the source was ‘His riches in glory’ given to them as those who were ‘in Christ Jesus’. All that He had in eternity would be available to them, in the same way as they were available to His Son, and this would include both material and spiritual blessing. They had thus made the best of bargains. By giving little they would receive much, and that of a heavenly nature.

And this would be so because the same God Who supplied his needs as previously described, continually supplies the needs of  all  His true people because they are in Christ. That is in fact what he has been emphasising all the way through the passage, that God supplies the deepest needs of His own, whether it be Paul or the Philippians, or whoever, if they are walking faithfully with Him.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Php 4:19. But my God shall supply And my God. This is to be understood in the nature of a wish, or as expressive of what was the matter of his prayer for them. Many copies and versions read it in the optative mood; and may my God supply. Observe further, he says not our God, but my God; because he is speaking of God’s recompensing to them the kindness which they had shown to him, as his servant; it was therefore most proper to mention the relation which God stood in to him, as that would be a means of the divine regard to those who had done him good.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Phi 4:19 . The thought starts from . But God , to whom your gift stands in the relation of such a sacrifice, will recompense you.

Paul says (comp. Phi 1:3 ), because he himself had been the recipient of that which they had brought as a sacrifice pleasing to God; as his God (to whom he belongs and whom he serves, comp. on Rom 1:8 ), therefore, will God carry out the recompense.

] used with significant reference to ., Phi 4:18 , according to the idea of recompense. Not, however, a wish (hence also in Codd. and in the Vulgate the reading ), as Chrysostom, Luther, and others take it, but a promise .

] likewise corresponding to the service which the readers had rendered; for they had sent (Phi 4:16 ) of the apostle. To be understood as: every need which ye have , not merely bodily (so usually, following Chrysostom, who explains it as the fulfilment of the fourth petition , also van Hengel, de Wette, Wiesinger), and not merely spiritual (Pelagius, Rilliet, also mainly Weiss), but as it stands: every need. It is not, however, an earthly recompense which is meant (Hofmann), but (comp. on Phi 4:17 ) the recompense in the Messiah’s kingdom , where, in the enjoyment of the , the highest satisfaction of every need (comp. on . , Thuc. i. 70. 4, and Wetstein in loc .) shall have set in amidst the full, blessed sufficiency of the eternal (comp. Rom 8:17 f.; Rev 21:4 ). [194] There are specifications of this satisfaction in the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, Mat 5 ; comp. especially the and , Luk 6:21 , also the in Joh 4:14 , and the sarcastic , in 1Co 4:8 . That it is the Messianic satisfaction in the (Rom 8:21 ), in the possession of the (Eph 1:18 ), which is to be thought of, Paul himself states by , which is to be taken as instrumental (Eph 1:23 ; Eph 5:18 ) and dependent on .: with glory , whereby the Messianic is indicated. Hofmann also, though he rejects the instrumental view, comes ultimately to it: “ Therewith and thus will God fulfil all their need, in that He gives them glory .” [195] Others , who also correctly join the words with ., take them as a modal definition : in a glorious way , that is, amply, splendide , and the like. See Castalio, Beza, Calvin, and many others, including Hoelemann, van Hengel, Rilliet, de Wette, Wiesinger, Weiss. But what an indefinite yet peculiarly affected, and withal by its so habitual reference elsewhere to the final judgment misleading expression would this be for so simple an idea! And how far would it be from the apostle’s mind, considering his expectation of the nearness of the Parousia (comp. 1Co 7:29 ; 1Co 7:31 ), to promise on this side of it a hearty recompense, which was to take place, moreover, ! An appeal is wrongly made to 2Co 9:8 , where an increase of means for further well-doing, to be granted through God’s blessing, and not the recompense , is the point under discussion. Others erroneously join with (Grotius, Storr, Flatt, Rheinwald, and others): “ pro amplissimis suis divitiis , id est, potestate sua omnia excedente,” Heinrichs. It is true that might be attached without a connecting article (according to the combination , 1Ti 6:8 ; comp. 1Co 1:5 ; 2Co 9:11 ); but Paul always connects with the genitive of the thing, and in particular, said of God, is so constantly used by him, that it seems altogether unwarranted to assume the expression in this passage. See Rom 9:23 ; Eph 1:18 ; Eph 3:16 ; Col 1:27 . He would have written: , comp. Rom 9:23 .

] that is, in conformity with His being so rich , and consequently having so much to give. Comp. Rom 10:12 ; Rom 11:33 . This assures what is promised.

] definition annexed to ; that which is promised has its causal ground in Christ , who by His work has acquired for believers the eternal . Christ is, in fact, , Col 1:27 .

[194] Hofmann very irrelevantly objects that it is out of place to speak of want in that kingdom. But just, in fact, on that account is the bliss of the kingdom the complete satisfaction of every need. Comp. Rev 7:16 f.; 2Ti 4:7 f. Thus also is the perfect then put in the place of that which is in part. Consequently the idea of the satisfaction of every in eternal life, where man even beholds God, and where He is all in all, is anything but a “monstrous thought.”

[195] In order, however, to bring out of the passage, notwithstanding this , the idea of a recompense in this life, Hofmann makes mean the glory of the children of God which is hidden from the world , and which is the fulfilment of every want only in proportion “as there is lacking in us what, either corporally or spiritually, is necessary for the completion of our divine sonship.” Instead of such arbitrary inventions, let us keep clearly before us how great a weight in the very word of promise, which forms the conclusion of the epistle, lies in the fact that the grand aim of all promise and hope, i.e. the glory of eternal life (Rom 5:2 ; Rom 8:18 ; Rom 8:21 ; Rom 9:23 ; 1Co 15:43 ; 2Co 4:17 ; Col 3:4 ; and many other passages), is once more presented to the reader’s view.

Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary

DISCOURSE: 2165
ALL NEEDFUL SUPPLIES THROUGH CHRIST

Php 4:19. My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

AS it is a pleasing reflection to a generous man, that the object whom he relieves will have his condition meliorated, so is it a most delightful thought to a grateful mind, that there is One both able and engaged to recompense our benefactors. Were it not for this consideration, the reluctance which many feel to be burthensome to their friends, would scarce suffer them to accept the most needful assistances: but this hope both enhances the value, and gives zest to the enjoyment, of every kindness we receive. Such was the Apostles experience, when his necessities had been relieved by the Philippian Church: he would have been well content to have wanted their present, as far as it related to his own comfort; but, as it was profitable to the donors themselves, he desired fruit that might abound to their account [Note: Php 4:17.]. Having declared on what grounds he was so well pleased with their gifts, he assured them, that God would be mindful of all their wants, and abundantly supply them in the hour of need.

To enter fully into the scope of his words, we should inquire,

I.

When are we authorized to call God our God?

It is not every claim that presumptuous sinners take upon them to advance, that will be found authorized in the Holy Scriptures; for our Lord himself assured many that Satan was their father, at the very time that they called themselves the children of God [Note: Joh 8:41; Joh 8:44.]. But we may justly consider God as standing in this relation to us,

1.

When we are born again of his Spirit?

[While we continue in our natural state, we are enemies to God, and God is an enemy to us; but when we are begotten by the word and Spirit of God, we are privileged to consider ourselves as his children, and to cry to him, Abba, Father [Note: Joh 1:12. Gal 4:6.].]

2.

When we have devoted ourselves to his service?

[If we would know whose we are, we must inquire, whom we serve; for to whomsoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are, whom we obey [Note: Rom 6:16.]. If our consciences testify that we have solemnly dedicated ourselves to God, we may boldly say with David, O God, thou art my God. We may be sure that our Beloved is ours, when we (by a voluntary surrender of ourselves to him,) are his.]

When this point is satisfactorily settled in our minds, we may with more comfort inquire,

II.

To what extent we may expect communications from him?

That God who pours out his benefits upon the evil and unthankful, is far more abundant in kindness towards his own children. He will give us,

1.

According to our necessities

[If we desire temporal things, we shall want no manner of thing that is good; if spiritual blessings be sought after, there is not any thing we can need, which shall not be bestowed upon us in the time and measure that Infinite Wisdom sees to be best for us. Are we wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked? He will both suit his gifts to our necessities [Note: Rev 3:18.]; and make the very depth of our misery the measure of his own mercy.]

2.

According to the riches of his own grace

[Let us survey all the tokens of his bounty on earth, and contemplate all the expressions of his love in heaven; let us go farther, and consider the incomprehensible fulness of all the good that is in him as the fountain; and then shall we find the true measure of his liberality to his children. If any partake of his goodness in a lower degree, it is, not because they are straitened in him, but because they are straitened in their own bowels.]

That none may lose these blessings through ignorance, we proceed to state

III.

By what channel they shall be conveyed to us

With man in innocence God communed face to face: but, whatever he bestows upon us in our fallen state, he communicates it,

1.

Through Christ as our mediator

[God in himself is a consuming fire; nor is it possible for us to approach him but through Jesus our mediator. Neither our piety towards him, nor our liberality towards his saints, can render him our debtor, (yea, rather, the more we do for him, the more we are indebted to him); if we receive any thing from God, it must come as the purchase of Christs blood, and as the consequence of his prevailing intercession.]

2.

By Christ as our head

[It is in Christ that all fulness dwells. He has received gifts for the rebellious, and imparts them to whomsoever he will: and it is out of his fulness that we must receive. He is the head of the Church, and his people are his members; and as every member is nourished by its union with the head, so it is by grace derived from him that we are to increase with the increase of God [Note: Col 2:19.].]

This important subject may teach us,
1.

Contentment in ourselves

[What cause can he possibly have for discontent, who has God for his God, and an express promise that all his need shall be supplied? God has not only engaged to give his people whatever they need, but on many occasions has interposed in a miraculous manner to fulfil his word. And, rather than violate his truth in any instance, he would feed them with bread from heaven, and water from a rock; he would make the ravens to bring them meat, or their barrel and cruse to supply them with an undiminished store. He has said that the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever. What if we have not all that flesh and blood might desire? shall we repine? Surely we should say with the Apostle, I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content [Note: ver. 12.]. We are like minors at present, and limited to the measure which our Father sees best for us: but in due time we shall receive the full inheritance. Shall persons so circumstanced give way to discontent? No: though poor as Lazarus, they should account themselves truly rich.]

2.

Liberality to others

[God condescends to acknowledge all that is given by us in charity as lent to himself; and he pledges himself to repay it. He even prescribes the honouring of him with our first-fruits, as the means of securing to ourselves an abundant harvest, and of laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life [Note: Pro 3:9-10. with 1Ti 6:17-18.]. We must not indeed suppose that our alms-deeds can merit any thing at the hand of God. Nevertheless, if they be a free-will offering, they are an odour to him, and a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. Let then the bounty of God to us, whether experienced or expected, be a motive for liberality to our fellow-creatures. And let us gladly of our abundance minister to their necessities, that God in all things may be glorified through Christ Jesus.]

3.

Devotedness to God

[Has God given himself to us as our God, and shall not we give ourselves to him as his people? Does God grudge us no blessing which he can give, and shall we grudge him any service which we can render? Are his powers the only limit to his exertions for us, and shall we know any other limit to our zeal for him? Does he do such wonders for us for Christs sake, and shall not we labour for Christs sake to honour him? Yes, the love of Christ shall constrain us to live for him, and the mercies of God to us be the measure of the services which we shall yield to him [Note: Rom 12:1.].]

Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Ver. 19. But my God ] Whom I serve as an ambassador in bonds, Eph 6:20 , and therefore surely he will repay you the sums you have sent me.

Shall supply ] Gr. , shall fill up, as he did the widow’s vessels: Shut the doors upon thee, saith the prophet, 2Ki 4:4 . It was time to shut the doors, when one little vessel must overflow and fill up many greater.

According to his riches in glory ] All God’s supplies to his come tipped and gilt with a glory upon them, saith one. Providences below, graces within, heaven above; as they have a lovely scarlet blush of Christ’s blood upon them; so they are rayed upon with a beam of divine love to them that are in Christ.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

19 .] an assurance taken up from above, because he (Paul) was the receiver: this was his return to them: ‘qui quod servo ejus datur remunerabitur.’ Beng.

all refers to Phi 4:16 ; Phi 4:18 ; as ye . It is an assurance , not a wish (- ). , not only in the department alluded to, but in all . Meyer refers to the beatitudes in Mat 5 and especially St. Luke’s and , Luk 6:21 , as illustrative.

] to be connected with , not with : not, gloriously , as many Commentators, which is weak and flat in the extreme: but is the instrument and element by and in which ‘all your need’ will be supplied: in glory , cf. Ps. 16:15 LXX: but not only at the coming of Christ (as Meyer, according to his wont), but in the whole glorious imparting to you of the unsearchable riches of Christ, begun and carried on here, and completed at that day.

] and this filling (or, ‘this glory,’ but then perhaps would have been expressed) is, consists, and finds its sphere and element, in Christ Jesus .

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Phi 4:19 . . . . God’s treatment of them corresponds to their treatment of Paul. They had ministered to his . so that he could say . That was the side of the reckoning which stood to their credit. Here is the other side. “My God shall repay what has been done to me His servant for the Gospel’s sake. He, in turn, shall satisfy to the full ( ) every need of yours .” must be read. See crit. note supr. So also in 2Co 8:2 , Eph 1:7 ; Eph 2:7 ; Eph 3:8 ; Eph 3:16 , Col 1:27 ; Col 2:2 . But in Eph 1:18 , and repeatedly both in nominative, genitive and accusative singular. Modern Greek uses , , sometimes with , sometimes with . LXX generally has . . The phrase is regarded by some ( e.g. , Beng., Ws [70] . , Eadie, etc.) as = “in a lavish, magnificent way”. This is to strain the sense. It is much more natural, comparing Rom 8:21 , Eph 1:18 ( ), to think of it as the future Messianic glory which Paul believed to be so near (so Lft [71] . , Kl [72] . , etc.).

[70] . Weiss.

[71] Lightfoot.

[72] . Klpper.

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

supply. App-125., as in Php 4:18.

according to. App-104.

by = in (Greek. en).

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

19.] an assurance taken up from above, because he (Paul) was the receiver: this was his return to them: qui quod servo ejus datur remunerabitur. Beng.

all refers to Php 4:16; Php 4:18;-as ye . It is an assurance, not a wish (-). ,-not only in the department alluded to, but in all. Meyer refers to the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and especially St. Lukes and , Luk 6:21, as illustrative.

] to be connected with , not with : not, gloriously, as many Commentators, which is weak and flat in the extreme: but is the instrument and element by and in which all your need will be supplied: in glory, cf. Ps. 16:15 LXX: but not only at the coming of Christ (as Meyer, according to his wont), but in the whole glorious imparting to you of the unsearchable riches of Christ, begun and carried on here, and completed at that day.

] and this filling (or, this glory, but then perhaps would have been expressed) is, consists, and finds its sphere and element, in Christ Jesus.

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Php 4:19. , but my God) who will recompense what is given to His servant. In Php 4:19 this particular statement regarding the liberality of the Philippians is concluded by the word , but; but in Php 4:20 the conclusion of the whole of this joyous passage is made by , but [now.]-) may God supply, nay, He will fully supply. [We may perceive that this act of kindness on the part of the Philippians was indeed excellently laid out, if even it only produced this prayer of the apostle.-V. g.]-, need) As you have supplied and relieved my need, what is empty of yours will not remain empty [it shall be filled, ].- , in glory) This should be referred to the whole sentence. There are riches in glory, glorious riches, immediately at hand; then besides, God will fully supply in glory, i.e. gloriously.

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

Php 4:19

Php 4:19

And my God shall supply every need of yours-He assures them that his God in return for their favors to him would supply all their needs. This is a promise that God will bless abundantly and multiply the seed to those who freely give to God. No more distinct promise of earthly good was ever made to the Jews. The same promise is distinctly made to the Philippians. Some erroneously think that under the Jewish law temporal blessings alone were promised-under the Christian, the promise of temporal blessings has not been withdrawn, they are as great as under the Mosaic law, but through Christ the spiritual blessings have been added. Hence Christ says: “He shall receive a hundredfold now . . . and in the world to come eternal life. (Mar 10:30). [God has unlimited resources and love. The measure of his beneficence is the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Eph 3:8).]

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.-This teaches the lesson frequently expressed in the New Testament, that if we will freely sacrifice for Christ, he will so bless us that we will need no good thing.

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

God: 2Sa 22:7, 2Ch 18:13, Neh 5:19, Dan 6:22, Mic 7:7, Joh 20:17, Joh 20:27, Rom 1:8, 2Co 12:21, Phm 1:4

supply: Gen 48:15, Deu 8:3, Deu 8:4, Neh 9:15, Psa 23:1-5, Psa 41:1-3, Psa 84:11, Psa 112:5-9, Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10, Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25, Mal 3:10, Luk 12:30-33, 2Co 9:8-11

according: Psa 36:8, Psa 104:24, Psa 130:7, Rom 9:23, Rom 11:33, Eph 1:7, Eph 1:18, Eph 2:7, Eph 3:8, Eph 3:16, Col 1:27, Col 3:16, 1Ti 6:17

glory: Rom 8:18, 2Co 4:17, 1Th 2:12, 1Pe 5:1, 1Pe 5:10

Reciprocal: Gen 41:55 – Go unto Gen 49:25 – with blessings Deu 15:10 – because Deu 26:12 – hast given it Rth 1:8 – the Lord 2Ki 4:13 – thou hast 2Ch 25:8 – The Lord 2Ch 31:8 – blessed Psa 25:13 – dwell at ease Psa 34:9 – for Psa 112:3 – Wealth Psa 119:17 – Deal Pro 8:18 – durable Hos 9:17 – My God Mat 14:21 – about Luk 9:17 – and there Luk 14:14 – for thou Joh 6:13 – and filled Joh 21:5 – have Act 28:10 – laded Rom 2:4 – riches Rom 10:12 – rich 2Co 8:19 – to the 2Co 9:12 – only 2Co 9:14 – by Eph 1:6 – praise 1Ti 6:18 – ready

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

ALL NEED SUPPLIED

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Php 4:19

The Apostle here puts in his personal claim upon God as his God. There is no doubt in his heart he has a right to say it. It solves a thousand questions when we can say My God. Now here is a promise wide enough and broad enough to meet our case whatever it is.

I. How manifold are our needs.What is your need?

(a) Is it pardon? That is the first on the list of spiritual blessings. Well, that need may be supplied.

(b) The soul needs not only the peace of pardon, but the peace of purity. And here let me say that purity and peace are very closely associated. There is a peace of pardon, and there is also a peace of purity.

(c) Then after purity, there is powerthe power to win a soul to Christ,

II. The Fountain of the supply.God Himself.

III. The measure of the supply.According to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ. It has been well observed that it is not out of His riches. Think how rich God is.

(a) How rich He is in creation! He numbers the stars (Isa 40:26).

(b) How rich He is in providence. He controls everything by the word of His power, whether it is the destiny of an empire or the fall of a sparrow.

(c) How rich He is in mercyFor His great love wherewith He hath loved us.

(d) And how rich He is in glory. It has been remarked that in the promises relating to our sanctification you generally find the expression riches in glory, whereas in promises relating to our forgiveness and conversion you generally find the words riches in grace.

IV. The channel of the supply.You must have a channel. Though floods were granted they would be wasted without a channel. Rivers may flow within reach of a wilderness, but if there is no conduit to carry the water into it, they will not fertilise it. So the floods of heavenly grace must have a channel, and that channel is found in Christ Jesus. All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen to the glory of God by us.

Rev. E. W. Moore.

Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary

(Php 4:19.) – But my God shall supply all your need. The reading in the aorist optative is not sufficiently supported, and is evidently an exegetical emendation. By the particle the apostle passes not to a different theme, but to a different feature or aspect of it. The idea of Hoelemann presses too far – quemadmodum vos. In the phrase my God, emphatic from its position, the apostle does not merely express his own relationship to God, as in Php 1:3, but he means his readers to infer this idea-this God who accepts your sacrifice is my God; and my God, so honoured and so pleased with your gift to me, will supply all your need. I who receive your contribution can only thank you, but my God who accepts the sacrifice will nobly reward you. You have supplied one element of my need- , but my God will supply every need of yours- . I have been filled, he says in Php 4:18 -, and God, my God, will in turn fill all your need-. Chrysostom notices, in his comment, a different reading, or , but does not adopt it. The apostle uses the simple future, as if he pledged himself for God; for he felt most assured, that God as his God would act as he promised in His name.

It is surely a limited view, on the part of Chrysostom and many modern commentators, to confine the meaning of the noun to bodily necessities-He blesses them that they may abound to have wherewith to sow. . . . For it is not unseemly to pray for sufficiency and plenty for those who thus use them. It would be rash and wrong to exclude this idea, for God has many ways of temporally rewarding liberality displayed in His cause, though certainly no one can expect the blessing who gives with such a selfish calculation and motive, and tries to traffic with God in the hope of receiving a high interest or return. It is as restricted, on the other hand, to refer the promise solely to spiritual need. Thus Rilliet bases his argument on the occurrence of the term , as if it uniformly referred to spiritual blessings. But in the citations made by him has its meaning modified by a following genitive, or as in Rom 10:12, where the participle is used, the context limits and explains the signification. The usage therefore forms no argument why here should apply exclusively to spiritual necessity, especially when it is universalized by . It is true that is used of bodily need in the context, and this is generally its sense in the classics; and no wonder, for the heathen could scarcely know of any other. But the apostle, as if to show that he meant more than physical necessity, adds, according to His riches in glory-language, one would think, too noble to be dwarfed into a description of the source of mere pecuniary compensation. While we agree with Meyer in giving this broad sense to , we cannot accede to his view that such supply is to be received only in the future kingdom of Messiah; for we hold that even now the promise is realized. The loving-kindness of God surrounds and blesses His people who are so interested in His cause, implanting every absent grace, giving health and power to every grace already implanted. The very appreciation, on the part of the Philippian church, of the apostle’s position, labours, and relations, implied the existence of a genuine piety among them, which God would foster by his Spirit, while He blessed them at the same time in their basket and store. Wiesinger well asks- If the apostle says of himself , why should he in refer his readers to the day of the second coming for the supply of their every want? He does not do this in 2Co 9:8; and the Lord Himself does not refer His people to a period beyond the present life for the supply of their every want. Mat 6:33. Mar 10:29-30.

-according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. The neuter form is preferred to the masculine on the authority of A, B, D1, F, G, etc. The mode or measure of supply is indicated by . According to their deep poverty they might supply his need, but God according to His riches would supply all their need. The connection of the next words is attended with some difficulty. Grotius, Rheinwald, Heinrichs, Flatt, Storr, and Baumgarten-Crusius join them to the preceding , as if they indicated in what this glory consisted, or as if it were according to His riches of glory, or . It is objected to this that such a construction with is never employed by the apostle, but always the genitive of the object. Rom 2:4; Rom 9:23; Eph 1:7; Eph 1:18; Eph 2:7; Eph 3:16; Col 1:27; Col 2:2. If separated then from , the phrase may denote either that by which the action of the verb is realized, or the manner in which that action is performed. Meyer takes the former view, which is quite consistent with his theory, which refers the supply to the glory to be awarded at the second coming. The verb in Eph 5:18 is followed by , with special reference to the Spirit, and sometimes the simple dative is employed. But believing that comprehends temporal need, we cannot see how glory could be used as an adequate term for its supply. Nor indeed could the term be used in any sense for supply of want-grace being the word more usually employed. Glory is not on earth the means of supply-it results from this supply, but is not its material. Therefore we take not as the complement-with glory, as Ellicott takes it, but as a modal qualification-in a glorious way. Such is the view of van Hengel, Hoelemann, and Rilliet. He will supply every want in glory-like Himself -not grudgingly or with a pittance, but with divine generosity. And He would do this as He does all things-

-in Christ Jesus. This designates the sphere of God’s action. In Christ Jesus will He supply their wants, or from the fulness in Him, His merit and mediation being the ground of it. What a glorious promise for the apostle to make on God’s behalf to them!-a perfect supply for every want of body or soul, for time or eternity, for earth or heaven. If man is but a mass of wants, wants for this world and wants for the world to come, and if God alone can supply them, what confidence should not such a pledge produce? Is it physical fare?-He heareth the young ravens when they cry. Is it the forgiveness of sin? -He delighteth in mercy. Is it purification of soul?- His Spirit produces His own image. Is it courage?-He is Jehovah-Nissi. Is it enlightenment?-His words are, I will instruct thee. Is it the hope of glory?-Then it is, Christ in you. Is it preparation for heaven?-He makes us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Is it contentment in any circumstance?-All things may be done in the strength of Christ. Nor was it rash in Paul to make such a promise, nor did he exceed his commission. He did not speak without a warrant. He knew the character of his God, and did not take his name in vain, for his varied and prolonged experience had fully informed him, and he was assured that the state of heart in the Philippian church must attract towards it the blessing. Would God resile from His servant’s pledge, or act as if in thus vouching for Him he had taken too much upon him? The idea of his close and tender relationship to God as his God, and his assurance that the promise made in His name would be realized; the thought of such a promise, so ample in its sweep, and so glorious in its fulfilment, with the idea that all whether pledged or enjoyed is of God the Giver, suggest the brief doxology of the following verse-

Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians

Php 4:19. This verse is similar in thought to Mat 6:33. The Philippians were chiefly interested in the kingdom of God, which is the reason they gave of their means to Paul, so he could continue to advance that kingdom. In turn, he assures them that God will take care of their needs. He teaches the same principle in 2 Corinthians 9:840, where he is exhorting those brethren to contribute for the relief of the needy ones in Judea. Riches in glory. God is the giver of all good things (Jas 1:17), and He bestows the divine favors through Christ Jesus.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

Php 4:19. And my God shall fulfil every need of yours. The thought is continuous. God, my God, is well pleased, and He will not forget your love shown to me His servant, but repay you in your need. So and is better than but, as Authorised Version. And Gods return shall be abundant, and always bestowed.

according to his riches. And if the Lord of all things be the bestower, how large must be the gift, a gift which looks on beyond what can be enjoyed in this world! The full return will only be gained when God Himself is seen and known.

in glory. This refers to the state in which the full recompense will be given. It will be bestowed by the Father of glory (Eph 1:17), and will be a share of the riches of the glory of His inheritance.

in Christ Jesus. The union with Christ will constitute the chiefest reward. It is not by Christ that the fulfilment will be wrought, but He Himself shall be the fulness of their joy.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Php 4:19-23. Conclusion.Pauls wants have been supplied, now he is assured that the wants of his friends will also be provided for; the ground of this hope is that God has given glorious riches in Christ. So the apostle utters a doxology to the Father. The letter being written to the whole church, he salutes every member of itdesignated as every saint (Php 1:1*). His companions join in his greetings, especially the Christians in Csars household. These would, for the most part, belong to the vast body of slaves and freedmen, but perhaps include some officers of rank, at the imperial palace. The final benediction, in accordance with Pauls usage, gracefully employs the Greek term of valediction, but with a deepened Christian meaning, so as to breathe a prayer for Gods grace on the readers.

Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible

This promise harmonizes with previous revelation concerning how God supplies the needs of His people (cf. Pro 11:25; Mat 5:7; Mat 6:33). Note that it is needs that He will meet, not "greeds." God will supply them all. He will do so commensurate with His riches in glory, not simply out of them. As His riches are lavish, so He will give lavishly.

Why do so many Christians suffer because they lack food, clothing, or money in view of this promise? Perhaps it is because some of our greatest needs are not material. To meet these needs God sometimes does not make us rich or even financially comfortable. Remember too that God gave this promise to generous and sacrificial givers. We may be able to think of examples that appear to be exceptions to this promise. However, I believe if we could see things from God’s perspective we would realize that God has been completely faithful to His Word.

Note too that the supply of our needs comes through Jesus Christ. They come through His sovereign control, through His vast resources, through His infinite wisdom, through His loving heart, and through our union with Him.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)