Paul defends himself against some very slanderous gossip-that he used the gospel as a means of getting rich

Paul defends himself against some very slanderous gossip-that he used the gospel as a means of getting rich.
Friday, July 20, 2007

 PHI 4:14-16, However, you have functioned honorably when you shared money with and entered into partnership with me, in my adversity. Now you yourselves also recognize, Philippians, that in the beginning with reference to the Gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me with reference to the doctrine of giving and receiving but you alone; because even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

Now at this stage Paul must change the subject and defend himself against some very slanderous gossip - that he used the gospel as a means of getting rich.

This gossip was spread in Philippi and in Corinth, and wherever Paul went the Judaizer’s were close behind maligning him.

Particle ouch - ou*c = one of the strongest negatives in the Greek; it even connotes the idea of disgust.

At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs - He hears, he rescues.

There are two negatives in the Greek - me’ and ouk = me’ merely cracks the door; ouk slams the door.

When a woman says, “We need,” = “I want.”
When a woman says, “It’s your decision,” = “The correct decision should be obvious by now stupid.”
When she says, “Do what you want” she means “You’ll pay for this later.”
“We need to talk” = “I need to complain.”

When she says, “Sure...Go ahead” she means “I REALLY don’t want you to.”
Or when she says, “I’m not upset” = Of course I’m upset, you moron!”
If she says, “You’re so manly” she means, “You need a shave and you sweat a lot.”
Be romantic, means turn out the lights I have flabby thighs.

When she says, “This kitchen is so inconvenient” what she really means is “I want a new house.”
I want new curtains = “And carpeting, and furniture, and wallpaper...”
“Do you love me?” She means, “I’m going to ask for something expensive.”
“HOW much do you love me?” I did something today you’re really not going to like.”

I’ll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV.
“Am I fat?” = “Tell me I’m beautiful.”
“Do you like this recipe?”
“It’s easy to fix, so you’d better get used to it.”

“Was that the baby?” = “Why don’t you get out of bed and walk him until he goes to sleep?”
“I’m not yelling!” = “Yes I am yelling because I think this is important!”
“I don’t want to talk about it” = “Go away, I’m still building up steam...”

1) Fine or whatever you say: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.

3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing.

6) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you; do not question, or Faint. Just say you’re welcome.

Causal conjunction hoti - o@ti = because
+ pres-act-ind - epizeto - e*pizhtw’ = to seek after, to solicit.

Descriptive present - indicates what is now going on - the slander from some quarters that Paul is using the gospel to solicit money and to become rich.

Active voice + the negative = Paul produces the action of the verb, which is denial of the gossip, and the indicative mood is declarative viewing the action of the verb from the viewpoint of absolute reality.

Adversative conjunction alla - a*lla - sets up a strong contrast with the previous clause.

Paul did not desire the offering from them so that he might become rich, but because the supergrace Philippians, like all supergrace believers, needed to express in many ways doctrine resident in their souls, and giving is a worship expression of doctrine resident in the soul.

God uses the supergrace believer in Philippi as a part of his logistical system in supply.

The giving of the believer is a part of his worship; it is a function of the Royal Priesthood which commemorates grace.

Paul provides the need of the Philippians, Bible doctrine.

While as a result of their growth they are properly motivated and prosperous.

MAT 10:9-10 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for {your} journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.”
ROM 15:27 For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

1TI 5:17-18, Those pastor-teachers who have ruled well with the result that they keep ruling honorably, they must be considered worthy of double honor, most of all those who work hard to the point of exhaustion in the study of the word and the teaching of doctrine. For the Scripture says, [DEU 25:4] “You shall not muzzle the bull while he is threshing,” also [DEU 24:15] “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

While the Philippians with doctrine resident in their soul provide the needs of Paul from their prosperity, Paul provides their needs in his prosperity.