What the words 'communicate' and 'communicated' in that passage refer to
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Many preachers have quoted Philippians 4:14 and 15 which in the 1769 KJ version
talk about "communicating". They have claimed that those verses and the "communication"
mentioned in them, supposedly mean that people should give money to preachers. But,
the apostle Paul was talking about something else.
This essay contains a study on Philippians 4:14-18 – what the words "communicate" and "communicated" in that passage refer to. It will be shown that even though Paul did receive help from the other saints when he was in prison, his words recorded in Philippians 4:14-18 did not mean that preachers should be paid. Also the "giving and receiving" of Philippians 4:15 (and of Acts 20:35) will be discussed.
A note: This treatise concentrates on Philippians 4:14-18 with the context. You can find links to other essays on related matters, at the "additional reading" section towards the end of this present document.
Here is the 1769 KJ version's rendering of Philippians 4:14-18:
Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 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. (KJV-1769)
In order to understand Philippians 4:14-18 and what the words communicate and communicated in that passage refer to, one must also check the context, as well as Paul's other letters and what the book of Acts records about how Paul acted when he proclaimed the Good Message. In that way, it will be easier to understand what verses 14-18 in Philippians chapter 4 really mean.
A note: Philippians 4:15 mentions "giving and receiving" (that was when the saints sent aid to Paul during his imprisonment). Also Acts 20:35 mentions "giving and receiving", but there the point was something different. Many preachers twist that passage and want people to believe that Paul supposedly told the saints to give money to him. But, anyone who has read Acts 20 with care, knows that Paul's words "it is better to give than to receive" were said to elders (whom he had called to himself), and that it was Paul who had been on the giving side, and that he exhorted those elders to follow his example in that. There is more on Acts 20 later in this essay, and also in the essay em02c.htm. The essay em04c.htm takes a closer look at the words "communicate" and "communicating" that many bible-translators have put in Galatians 6:6.
Some preachers have claimed that to mean that the apostle Paul supposedly received money or payment for his proclaiming. They have claimed such things as "whereas Paul and his fellow ministers had delivered out spiritual things to this church, they had in return communicated their carnal things; so that there was a proper account kept". That is from John Gill's commentary, but many others have made similar claims.
It is clear that when Paul was in prison and could not support himself, the saints in Philippi provided help to him:
Philippians 4:10 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 opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. (NASB-77)
Again, the saints in Philippi provided aid to Paul, when he was in prison. He wrote the letter to Philippi when he was in prison. (Philippians 1:7, 13, 14 and 16 mention Paul's imprisonment. See also Philippians 4:22. It may have been Epaphroditus who wrote that letter, at Paul's dictation.)
It was during that imprisonment that they had provided help to him. But the question is, did Paul live at the cost of others, when he was a free man?
Often, preachers quote such passages as 1 Corinthians 9:7-14, Galatians 6:6 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18, in order to support those claims. However, a closer study of this matter and of those passages, shows that as long as Paul was in good health and a free man, he did not live at the cost of others. Instead, he worked as a skilled tradesman and supported himself. The essay em05e.htm has more on 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; the essay em04c.htm takes a closer look at Galatians 6:6. The essay em07b.htm considers on 1 Timothy chapter 5, including 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
But again, regarding Philippians 4:14-18 – did Paul actually receive payment for his proclaiming, from the saints in Philippi, and not only special aid for him when he was in prison and could not work to support himself as he normally did? Overwhelming evidence in other, related passages shows that it simply cannot have been so. Paul supported himself through his work as a tentmaker (see Acts 18:1-3), and possibly through some other manual work as well.
It is important to note that Paul had as an important point in his teachings that all able-bodied men in their sound mind were to work and support themselves. He made himself a special example of that; the essay em03c.htm has more on this.
Again, the saints in Philippi had sent aid to Paul when he was in prison in Rome and could not support himself. That must be why Paul used the Greek words sunkoinônêsantes (sunkoinôneô, verse 14, and ekoinônêsen (koinôneô), verse 15.
Those words had to do with having or doing things in common with others, and having a share of (or taking part in) a thing with others, sharing a view or an opinion, and so on. The 1769 KJ version "translates" them with the Latin-based words "communicate" and "communicated". A note: The Latin verb communico referred to dividing or sharing things, and to participating.
Other translations make verse 14 clearer – examples:
Philippians 4:14 But you did well to have care for me in my need. (BBE)
Philippians 4:14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship. (HCSB)
Philippians 4:14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. (NASB-77)
"Hardship", "affliction" – clearly that was a situation that was not normal. Paul was either sick and unable to work, or then he was in prison. That the saints sent help to someone under such circumstances, was a good and just thing. That explains Philippians 4:14, 17 and 18.
Verses 15-16 might make it seem that the saints in Philippi had sent aid to Paul when he was in Thessalonica. Some preachers have claimed that Paul supposedly lived at the cost of others, when he proclaimed the Good Message there.
Let us first read how Paul had acted in Thessalonica – that he had supported himself through his own, manual work:
1 Thessalonians 2:9 You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade [A] day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses—and so is God—how pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers. (MontNT)
[A] Verse 9, the translation "working at my trade" – Paul's trade was that of a tentmaker; see Acts 18:1-3.
Multiple New Testament passages show that Paul did not live at the cost of others. That is the example Paul set, all through (again, the essay em03c.htm has more on that matter). One of the passages that make it clear that Paul supported himself by his own manual work is Acts 20, which will be considered under the next main heading.
So, the question remains, how should one understand Philippians 4:15-16? The answer: We do not know, but it could be that those verses refer to some occasion when Paul was sick or imprisoned. It is important to realise that the biblical record does not mention all the occasions when Paul was put to prison, or stoned, or something similar. A certain ancient writer said that Paul was imprisoned seven times. We know that he was imprisoned at least in Philippi, Jerusalem, Caesarea and one or two times in Rome, but the other places and times are not known to us. So, Philippians 4:15-16 might refer to some such occasion, or a time when Paul was sick. A note: He was not only imprisoned but on occasions also stoned and mistreated in other ways. It may be that some of those things made him unable to work and in need of care and help, for some time.
A side-note: Some think that when Paul left Ephesus and headed for Macedonia, he may have visited Thessalonica the second time. Thessalonica was one of the main cities on Macedonia. Something that Paul did when he was on his way from Miletus over to Macedonia, is interesting – see the next point.
Before boarding a ship for the trip over to Macedonia, Paul stopped at Miletus, and called the elders from Ephesus to himself.
He gave some solemn warnings to those elders. Read these words of Paul with care and thought (please note that verse 17 shows that Paul was addressing elders):
Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the assembly. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, You are familiar with, from the first day that I arrived in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, and how many tears and trials came upon me through the plots of the Jews, 20 how I held back nothing that is profitable for you, and how I kept teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly witnessing both to Jews and to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus the Anointed. 22 And now, look, bound by the Spirit I go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit affirms in every city, saying that bonds and distress wait for me. 24 But none of these things move me, and I do not count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish the race with joy, and the opportunity to serve that I received from the Lord Jesus – to fully testify to the Good Message of the grace of God. 25 And now, look, I know that none of you, among whom I have gone proclaiming the Kingdom of God, will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you today that I am not guilty for anyone's blood, 27 for I did not fail to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians over, to feed the assembly of God which he purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, burdensome wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And, from among your own selves shall arise men speaking perverted things, in order to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore keep watch, remembering that for three years, I did not cease to warn everyone, with tears, night and day. 32 And now I commit you, brothers, to God and the word of his grace, who is able to edify you and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothes – 34 rather, as you yourselves know, these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in everything, by working like this, that we must support the infirm and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". (Author's tr.)
Verse 28 with context: Paul warned those elders that some of them would turn out to be "grievous wolves". That referred to (deceiving) men living at the cost of others.
The apostle reminded those elders of the fact that they knew how he himself had lived and acted:
Acts 20:33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have served for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in everything, by laboring like this, that we need to support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (VW-2006)
What does that mean? It simply means that Paul had supported himself, by his manual work as a tradesman.
In a way, Acts 20 records how Paul gave an account of his time as a free man. He knew that he would be imprisoned; a certain saint had prophesied that to him.
Again, please note that it was Paul who was on the giving side, and that he told the elders whom he was addressing, to follow his example in that. He said to those elders, "As you yourselves know, these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. I have shown you in everything, by working like this, that we must support the infirm." That is what Paul meant when he continued and reminded them on Jesus' words "it is more blessed to give than to receive".
A note: Many preachers shamelessly twist Acts 20:35. The essay em02c.htm has more on that passage, with its context.
As for having a trade (Paul's trade was that of a tentmaker) – in another letter, Paul wrote this:
2 Corinthians 2:17 For we do not, as the many, make a trade of the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, we speak in Christ. (DBY, highlighting added)
In short (still regarding Philippians 4:15-16 which was discussed under the previous heading): The evidence of multiple other New Testament passages makes it clear that whatever aid the saints in Philippi may have sent when Paul was in Thessalonica, cannot have been money or things to Paul as long as he was a free man and able to work. He might have been sick or imprisoned in Thessalonica, but we do not know how that really was.
A note: This is clear in the Greek text of the New Testament. However, translations made by churchmen twist things and give false appearances, in many passages.
For more on monetary things in connection with religious fellowships, look under the heading "Silver and gold" on the index-page keyw-s5.htm. Please also read the essay eb13e.htm which considers what Jesus really meant by the words "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34).
Regarding Haggai 2:8-9 and the words "the silver is mine, and the gold is mine" – anyone who checks the context, will see that that passage does not refer to money, or to silver and gold in general, but only to the temple silver and temple gold which had been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon (and later returned). The essay em01d.htm (which is about the "tithe question") has more on this.
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Acts 20:35 – what did the apostle Paul mean when he said to the elders from Ephesus, "it is more blessed to give than to receive", and when he said to them, "I have shown you in everything, by working like this, that we must support the infirm"? → em02c.htm
Does Galatians 6:6 mean that believers should give money to preachers? Is that what Paul was saying? → em04c.htm
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The two covenants, old and new. → keyw-c4.htm (Look under the heading "Covenants".)
1 Corinthians 9:14, "Even so has the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel". What did Jesus and the apostle Paul really mean? Should preachers be paid? A study on 1 Corinthians 9:14, Matthew 10:5-11 and Mark 6:7-13. → em05e.htm
Monetary things in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-s5.htm (Look under the heading "Silver and gold".)
How the saints took care of widows, the elderly, the sick and the needy. Also, special comments on 1 Timothy 5:17. → em07b.htm
What the Bible says about excommunication, marking and avoiding. Additionally, some notes on the words and concepts "heresy" and "heretic". → ea10c.htm
On the example the apostle Paul set, for others to imitate. Paul did not tell people to "follow him as a leader"; what he did was that he told the saints to imitate him, to copy his example. It is important for believers to know what kind of example Paul referred to and meant, and in what connection. → em03c.htm
Jannes and Jambres of 2 Timothy 3 – who were they? → ea15c.htm
A study on the phrases "the snare of the Devil" and "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 3:7 and 6:9-10 and 2 Timothy 2:26). On Jesus' and Paul's teachings regarding how those who proclaimed the Gospel or Good Message could become spiritually unfruitful. → em08c.htm
The apostle Paul and his teachings. Notes regarding certain passages in Paul's letters and in the book of Acts. → eo11b.htm
Luke 12:34 and Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". What does that mean? What was Jesus talking about? → eb13e.htm
What does the word "burdensome" in 1 Thessalonians 2:6 really refer to – was Paul talking about money, or about something else? → em06d.htm
2 Corinthians 11:8, "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them". What does that verse mean? Did Paul receive wages for his proclaiming work, as some translations make it seem? → em09c.htm
On Titus 1:15 and the translation "to the pure all things are pure", and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to. → ee05b.htm
What is the truth about tithing, the concept of giving "tithes" and "offerings" to a church? In the light of the New Covenant, is tithing right or wrong, biblical or unbiblical? → em01d.htm
The King James bible, the Authorised Version – is it somehow "the inspired Word of God", better than other translations, or a particularly "holy" bible-version, or the best or most exact or accurate one as some have claimed? Also: In what way or sense is it authoritative, or, who "authorised" it? This essay has some details of the story behind the King James translation or KJV, including the men who were involved in producing it. Two examples of pages in KJV-1611 are included as well; one is an image showing the page with Hebrews 1, the other is a PDF-file containing a facsimile, picture format copy of the book of Matthew in the year 1611 edition of the King James version. There are also some brief remarks on the so-called "Received Text" or Textus Receptus, the Greek NT text compilation produced by the Catholic priest Gerrit Gerritszoon ("Erasmus"). → es03c.htm
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