Biblion Bible Commentary
Read the introduction to Philippians · About this commentary
My God Will Supply
Philippians 4:19-20
19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. · WEB
The promise answers the gift exactly — they supplied his need, and God will supply theirs.
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The verse is quoted freely and belongs here specifically. The Philippians had just supplied Paul's need at cost to themselves — verse 18 used the same root — and this promises the return in kind from someone with better resources. It is a response to generosity rather than a general guarantee.
Three things keep it from being a formula. It is my God, so Paul speaks from his own experience of being supplied, which the previous verses have documented. It is according to his riches rather than out of them, so the measure is the supplier's wealth rather than the recipient's shortfall. And it is in Christ Jesus, which is where every provision in this letter is located.
The word is need rather than want, and the letter has already shown Paul content with less than he might have wished for Philippians 4:11.
Verse 20 closes the section as it should: now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. A thank-you note for money ends in doxology, which is exactly where verse 18 said the gift had gone.
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