Philippians 4:18 - Exposition

But I have all, and abound: am full . I have to the full all that I need, and more. (For the word ἀπέχω , comp. Matthew 6:2 , Matthew 6:5 , Matthew 6:16 , and Luke 6:24 .) Having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. He uses another metaphor: in Philippians 4:17 the gift was fruit, now it is a sacrifice: given to the servant of God, it is in truth offered to God himself. "How high does he lift their gift!" says Chrysostom; "it is not I, he says, who have received it, but God through me." The words, ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας , an odour of sweet smell, occur often in the Old Testament in connection with sacrifice (see Genesis 8:21 ; Exodus 29:18 ; also for the metaphor, Ephesians 5:2 ). in Hebrews 13:16 almsgiving is also described as a sacrifice with which God is well pleased. The first and chiefest offering we can make is ourselves: " We offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies" (comp. Romans 12:1 ); in that chief offering is involved the lesser gift of alms.