Philippians 4:10

δέ marks the turning of Paul's thoughts to a different subject, or, as Lft [42]. admirably expresses it, “arrests a subject which is in danger of escaping”. He has not, up till now, expressly thanked them for their generous gift which was, in all likelihood, the occasion of this letter. The very fact of his accepting a present from them showed his confidence in their affection. This was indeed his right, but he seldom laid claim to it. No doubt the delicacy of his language here is due (so also Hilgenfeld, ZwTh., xx., 2, pp. 183 184) to the base slanders uttered against him at Corinth and in Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 2:5), as making the Gospel a means of livelihood (see 1 Corinthians 9:3-18; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9; Galatians 6:6, and Schûrer, ii., 1, pp. 318 319). ἤδη ποτέ. An expressive combination = “already once more” (precisely = schon wieder einmal, which has a force corresponding to that of the Greek, which cannot be reproduced in English, that of the unexpected nature of the gift. So Ws [43].). ἀνεθάλετε. The verb is very rare in secular Greek, while occurring nine times in LXX. This older aorist form takes the place of the more regular one five times in LXX. It is only found in the Bible. (See W-Sch [44]., p. 110; Lobeck, Paralipomena, p. 557.) The verb is used both transitively and intransitively. Here it is probably transitive, as in Ezekiel 17:24 and three other places in LXX (so De W., Ws [45]., Lft [46]., Holst., Lips [47]., etc.). In that case τὸ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ φρονεῖν is the accusative governed by it. “You let your care for me blossom into activity again.” Myr [48]. thinks it inconsistent with the delicacy of Paul's tone in this passage to take it as transitive. But Paul expressly guards against hurting their feelings by correcting, as it were, his statement by the next clause in which he asserts, “You did truly care”. This construction seems much more natural than to take τὸ ὑπ. ἐ. φρ. as an accusative of the inner object (so Myr [49]., Gw [50]., Hpt [51]., Eadie). Moule, probably with justice, remarks that “the phrase is touched with a smile of gentle pleasantry” (Philippian Studies, p. 245). ἐφʼ ᾧ. The most various interpretations have been given. Some refer ᾧ to the whole phrase preceding. Some make ἀναθάλλειν the antecedent. Ell [52]. renders, “with a view to which” (probably “my interests”; so also Gw [53]., Beet); Lft [54]. “in which” (taking it generally); Hfm [55]. = ἐπὶ τούτῳ ὅτι. The simplest explanation is to regard ἐμοῦ as antecedent (so also Calv., Vaughan). “About whom (lit. = in whose case) you certainly did care, were anxious, but you had no opportunity of showing your care in a practical fashion.” ἐπί as contrasted with ὑπέρ preceding would express a more indefinite relation to Paul. They were always, as he well knew, thoroughly interested in him. The definite relation is connected with the actual bestowing of the gift. ἠκαιρεῖσθε. Lidd. and Scott quote one instance of the simple verb ἀκαιρέω. It is not certain whether he refers here to lack of means or the want of opportunity to send a gift. The imperfects show the habitual state of their feelings towards Paul.

[42] Lightfoot.

[43]. Weiss.

[44] Sch. Schmiedel's Ed. of Winer.

[45]. Weiss.

[46] Lightfoot.

[47] Lipsius.

[48] Meyer.

[49] Meyer.

[50]. Gwynn.

[51] Haupt.

[52] Ellicott.

[53]. Gwynn.

[54] Lightfoot.

[55] Hofmann.