THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST TO MEET ALL YOUR NEED 1 (ODELL)

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 

To open this text to your view some background information is important. Philippi was a Roman colony and the chief city of one part of Macedonia. It took its name from Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great (356 BC). The Apostle Paul was inspired to go there and preach the Gospel about AD 52. He had considerable success making various converts which eventually were organized into a Gospel Church. Two are noted in Acts 16:12-40. Lydia was possessed by a spirit of divination. Her experience of grace resulted in Paul’s public beating (along with Silas) and their imprisonment which brought them into contact with the Philippian Jailor. Soon after, Paul had to leave the city abruptly, being ordered out by the magistrates.

 
Philippians is classified as the fourth of Paul’s prison letters, being written shortly after Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon about AD60-61. Upon hearing of Paul’s imprisonment, the Church at Philippi sent their Pastor, Epaphroditus, to visit him and provide support for him under his afflictions. When Pastor Epaphroditus returned, he carried with him Paul’s letter of gratitude. It included an account of his “bonds” in prison and how useful it had been to those around him. He himself is blessed accordingly. He encouraged them while they walked in their own afflictions for Christ’s sake and warned them against teachers that joined Moses with Christ, law with Gospel, and works with Grace, to create a false Gospel. He closed with a thank you for their kind service to one of Christ’s dear sheep.

 
In the context of the fourth chapter of Philippians, the Apostle reminded the saints as to how they “communicated with (him), as concerning giving and receiving” (vs. 15), while he was at Corinth. In verse 16, he recognizes their support while in “Thessalonica” when they “sent once and again unto (his) necessity”. In verse 17, he confesses it was, “not because (he) desired a gift” since he did not make merchandise of men. Then in verse 18, he expresses his fullness “having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent” from them.

  
So then, in the light of his immediate circumstance, being a prisoner under a Roman palace surrounded by Pretorian Guards, he was shut up with Christ and could do no more than to encourage those whom he had been entrusted by Christ to serve some eight years earlier. Hence, he reminded them, that the same “God” who had met his needs along the way, “shall supply all (their) need,” notwithstanding his personal inability now.

 
It was as if he was saying: If I cannot, “my God shall supply all your needs.” Because Paul understood his “God,” Who had loved, chosen, adopted, regenerated, and called him was the same “God” Who had already done the same thing for his brethren in Philippi! He also understood his “God” was the same God in Christ Jesus, Who had been made known to him by Christ through effectual calling and revelation. Consequently, he was His “ambassador in bonds” and would be unto his death! Further, he knew the Philippians had the same interest in his “God,” as manifested by their conversions by virtue of the same Everlasting Covenant of Grace. In which case, they were related to his “God” in the same WAY as he was. He was persuaded, that his “God shall supply all (their) need,” just like he had been supplied. 

The lesson to be learned is this: Phil. 4:19 is not an indiscriminate promise to all men everywhere without exception. In its immediate context, it was primarily directed to the members of the Church at Philippi. However, it does have a more diverse application to all those of LIKE KIND which we shall soon discover if you choose to stay with me in this study of God’s word. Paul himself was not a member of the Church at Philippi. But he was in UNION with them.

  
Moving forward, the intention is to make four important discoveries of truth in this verse: 

The PERSONS to whom this promise is made. 
The EXTENT of the promise. 
The SOURCE of the supply. 
The MEANS and METHOD of the supply.  
In the meantime, we covet your prayers to that end. 
Selah, Pause and consider, 

Dan O’Dell, a debtor to mercy.  
Weslaco, TX., 11.20.2023