What Does Philippians 4:18 Mean?
But I hold everything in full, and I overflow; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a fragrance of sweetness, a sacrifice welcomed, well pleasing to God.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
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.THE KEY
The same Greek word-family describes Paul receiving the gift and the offering being acceptable to God, joining them in a chain of welcome.
THE MEANING
The gift reaches Paul as provision, and he receives it with abundance. Its meaning extends beyond meeting his need: he sees it as an offering welcomed by God, with the fragrance of devotion.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This loosens the belief that provision shared between people is only a transaction; here the same gift is also an offering acceptable to God.
THE ROOT
δεξάμενος
dexamenos
GROWS FROM
δέχομαι
dechomai
to receive or welcome
The same Greek word-family stands behind Paul having received the gift and the offering being acceptable to God. English separates those actions; the root links them as a chain of welcome, from the community, to Paul, to God.
ALSO GROWS
dechomai: to receive, welcome
δέχομαι
This is the root behind Paul receiving the things sent from the Philippians.
dektos: welcome, acceptable
δεκτός
This related form describes the offering as acceptable to God, joining its welcome by Paul to its welcome by God.
prosdechomai: to receive or welcome
προσδέχομαι
This related form carries the same receiving root into the idea of welcoming what is offered.
THE PATTERN
A gift that meets a human need can also be received as an offering in God’s presence.
And the LORD smelled the fragrance of rest, and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground for man's sake, for the shaping of man's heart is evil from his youth, and I will not again strike down every living thing, as I have done.And walk in love, as the Anointed One also loved us and handed himself over for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, a fragrance that settles sweetly.But do not let slip the good you do and the sharing in common, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.THE THREAD
that I may be brought out from those in Judea who refuse to hear and respond, and that my service to Jerusalem may be well received by the set-apart ones.The word translated accepted belongs to the same receive-and-welcome family as received and acceptable in Philippians. The shared root lets the passage’s pattern widen: a gift is welcomed by Paul, its service is welcomed by others, and its offering is acceptable to God.
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