Matthew Henry Commentary Philippians 4:10-19

"But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction. And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things [that came] from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:10-19 (ASV)

It is a good work to support 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 also to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and hardships; but in all these situations, he learned to be content, to reconcile his mind to his circumstances, and to make the best of it.

Pride, unbelief, vain longing for something we do not have, and fickle dissatisfaction with present things make people discontented even in favorable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are humbled; for humility and a heavenly mind when we are exalted. It is a special grace to always maintain a balanced state of mind.

In a humble state, this grace means not losing our comfort in God, nor distrusting His providence, nor taking any wrong path to provide for ourselves. In a prosperous condition, it means not being proud, overconfident, or worldly. This latter is a harder lesson than the former; for the temptations of abundance and prosperity are greater than those of affliction and need.

The apostle had no intention to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will receive a glorious reward in the life to come. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through Him we must expect the reward; and since we have all things through Him, let us do all things for Him and to His glory.