Philippians 4:17

Philippians 4:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
• New International Version (NIV)Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Context of Philippians 4:17

15As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. 18At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:17 word by word

οὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπιζητῶ τὸν καρπὸν τὸν πλεονάζοντα εἰς λόγον ὑμῶν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Notοὐou · noG3756
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• I desireἐπιζητέωepizēteō · to seek afterG1934
• a giftὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• a giftδόμαdoma · giftG1390
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• fruitκαρπόςkarpos · fruitG2590
• that may aboundπλεονάζωpleonazō · to increaseG4121
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• yourσύsu · youG4771
• accountλόγοςlogos · wordG3056

Cross-references for Philippians 4:17

• Philippians 4:11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
• Malachi 1:10“How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.
• Acts 20:33“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes.
• 1 Corinthians 9:12If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 11:16Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!
• 1 Timothy 3:3He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
• 1 Timothy 6:10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
• 1 Peter 5:2Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
• 2 Peter 2:3In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
• Jude 1:11What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.
• Philippians 1:11May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
• Micah 7:1How miserable I am! I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest who can find nothing to eat. Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger.
• John 15:8When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
• Romans 15:28As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain.
• 2 Corinthians 9:9As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Commentaries on Philippians 4:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Not because I desire a gift - I do not speak thus to incite you to send me a farther gift; I speak this on the general subject, because I wish you to bear such fruit as shall abound to your account in the day of the Lord.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Not because I desire a gift - “The reason why I rejoice in the reception of what you have sent to me, is not that I am covetous.” From the interest with which he had spoken of their attention to him, some might perhaps be disposed to say, that it arose from this cause. He says, therefore, that, grateful as he was for the favor which he had received, his chief interest in it arose from the fact that it would contribute ultimately to their own good. It…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-19Verses 10-19 It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Not that I am seeking a gift: Paul preferred to support himself financially (see Acts 18:3; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:3–18; 2 Corinthians 11:7–11; 12:14–15). Paul was not seeking a gift for himself. Instead, he wanted their generosity to produce spiritual fruit, a reward from God credited to their accountRead the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. a gift--Greek, "the gift." Translate, "It is not that I seek after the gift, but I do seek after the fruit that aboundeth to your account"; what I do seek is your spiritual good, in the abounding of fruits of your faith which shall be put down to your account, against the day of reward (He 6:10).Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 4:17

• Beneficence
• Church
• Minister, Christian
• Philippi
• Unselfishness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Communicate
• Crown
• Epaphroditus
• Need
• Request
• Therewith
• Bible, the
• Macedonia
• Money
• Philippi

Commentaries on Philippians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings