Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
Parallel translations
- WEB But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
- KJV But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
- NKJV But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
- NASB But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act.
- NLT How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul rejoices that the Philippians have renewed their practical care for him, understanding they lacked opportunity before. He receives their gift with grateful joy.
Overview
Paul now thanks the church for the financial gift sent through Epaphroditus. He graciously assumes the best about their earlier silence, attributing it to lack of opportunity rather than neglect. His joy is 'in the Lord,' showing that even gratitude for material help is framed by his relationship with Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 2 Cor 11:9And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
- 2 Cor 7:6–7But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
- Gal 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Gal 6:6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
- 2 Cor 6:7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
- Phil 1:3I thank my God every time I remember you.
- Phil 2:30because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
- Ps 85:6Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
- Phil 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
- Hos 14:7They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 4:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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