For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

4:18   I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Full payment for the services he has provided for the church? Full payment for his speaking itinerary? Full payment completing the contractual agreement the church entered into to support him? What is Paul receiving full payment for?

I do not understand why this translation includes the concept of payment. I am a simple fellow, but after Paul writes such a kind and subtle letter of thanksgiving, he introduces a concept of funds being supplied as a payment?

Something just doesn’t make sense here.

As I review some of the common translations of the modern era, I find that the concept of “payment” is introduced in the NIV, the RSV and the ESV. Of the 16 translations reviewed (see here), three introduce the concept of payment.

You see, a common thought associated with payment is that of money given to pay a debt, or in exchange for services rendered. After having travelled through Philippians with me now for close to 100 weeks, have you ever been impressed with Paul’s effort to require anything from this church? Remind me of a verse, or a phrase, where Paul speaks of a debt they owe him, that can be solved with money.

Paul is telling them he has everything he needs, and not only that but he has an abundance. He is specific regarding the current gift Epaphroditus has carried to him from the church, and begins to go full blown spiritual on these kind folks.

He confirms that this sacrifice of goods delivered to him through Epaphroditus is not simply a temporal support for their friend and apostle, but an offering unto God, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to the Father.

Paul has enough – more than enough. God is pleased.

There is no mention of book keeping, tax records, hours worked, holiday pay, vacations or sabbaticals. The entire book is about a man called by God who has introduced a small group of people to Jesus, and their continued acts of love toward each other.

It can’t get any simpler than that.

We tend to find ways to make rules and laws, guidelines and stipulations, negotiations and bartering practices between brothers and sisters for service to each other.

Lord – help us to love without contracts and fee schedules!

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