Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.11UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.06UNLIKELY
Fear
0.04UNLIKELY
Joy
0.69LIKELY
Sadness
0.55LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.61LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.87LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.91LIKELY
Extraversion
0.21UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.94LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.83LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
JANUARY 12, 2022
STUDY NOTES
PHILIPPIANS 4:14-18
BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES
Php 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
“Notwithstanding” has the meaning of “nevertheless,” referring to the previous verse, Php 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Verse 13 is true, nevertheless, the gift of the Philippians was important to Paul
Paul wanted the Philippians to know that their gift was needed and appreciated
Paul will explain that Christ was working in him through them, and Christ was working in them
Through their giving Christ was not only strengthening Paul, He was strengthening them also
“You have well done,” they had made the right decision, they had obeyed Christ
It was “well done” because it was done “In-Christ,” Paul explains what they had done
“That you did communicate with my affliction, their gift helped Paul in his time of need
“Communicate” means to participate in something with someone, to partner with someone
They were not concerned about the personal cost of their giving, their concern was Paul’s needs
The possibility of personal “affliction” did not hinder their sharing in the time of Paul’s affliction
The word “affliction” is found many times in the NT identifying different degrees of stress
It can refer to emotional stress due to being under the pressure of trials and troubles
Or the inward pressure of outward difficulties, circumstances beyond our control
“Affliction” can refer to those difficult days that trouble the mind and burden the heart
“Affliction” often refers to the persecution that Christians face as they are faithful to Christ,
Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for
his sake; (To suffer means to be affected by outward circumstances, to be oppressed)
Paul warned the Thessalonians, 1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told
you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Paul continually faced difficult days, daily adversities, misfortunes, and outward trials of life
Paul was persecuted and put in prison because he faithfully served Christ
God used the Philippian church to minister to the needs of Paul and to strengthen him
Paul is saying that the gift could not have been at a better time, it was in God’s time
Php 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
“The beginning of the gospel” for the Philippians was 10 years before Paul wrote to them
Paul had preached the Gospel, God’s message of salvation for lost sinners separated from God
Souls were saved and the Philippian church had its beginning, now a mission minded church
You can read of Paul’s successful Macedonian ministry in Acts 16 & 17
Also read the book of Philippians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Paul “departed from Macedonia” and went by way of Athens to Corinth (Acts 17:16-18:17)
Silas and Timothy joined him bringing a contribution from the Philippian church
They were the only church that ministered to Paul financially after he departed from them
At that time, they were only a few months old as a local church, but they were a giving church
They were a prime example of the ministry of a local NT church, we must spread the “Gospel”
The word “communicated” means to share with a common interest, they were partners with Paul
Their partnership was the spreading of the Gospel, they united with Paul’s ministry through,
Giving and receiving, it is easy for us to understand their “giving,” their financial gift to Paul
The word that Paul chose for “giving” is found only one other time in the NT, Jas 1:17 Every good gift
(literally giving) and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
Page 1 of 5
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James says the “giving” is actually from above, coming from the “Father of lights”
James uses two different Greek words for “gift” in James 1:17
He does that to emphasize the extent of God’s giving, how good and how much God gives
The first word, every good “gift,” emphasizes how God gives, it refers to the act of giving
God gives freely, the word identifies with God’s motive of giving, it is “good”
The second word, every perfect “gift,” refers to the gift itself, it is “good” and “perfect”
“Perfect” describes the result of the act of giving, identifying with that which is given
God gives the very best gift in the very best way, God gives a good gift with a good motive
If it comes from God, it is “perfect,” that means there is a reason why God has given it to us
His giving has a purpose, He has a goal in mind, and His giving always meets the need
Something in our life is to be fulfilled through what God has given us
Perfection is the accomplishment of God’s purpose in our life
Through “giving” God was fulfilling His purpose in Paul’s life and the Philippian church
Paul makes a point when he states, “giving and receiving,” receiving was a business term
In fact, both the words “giving” and “receiving” were book-keeping terms
They referred to the credit and debit side of the ledger, an interesting point by Paul
By his selection of these words, he was revealing a great truth to the Philippians
Paul uses terms that will tell them that the best investment in life is trusting and serving God
To partner with those who are faithfully serving God, to support them prayerfully and financially
A sound business investment is giving to God’s work anywhere and at any time
They shared in communicating the gospel by giving financial support to Paul
They became a part of Paul’s preaching the gospel through Mission giving
They gave financial support for spreading the gospel, allowing Paul to focus on the Gospel
Which Paul has in mind when he says “receiving,” which was not limited to Paul
The Philippians were also “receiving” through their “giving,” Christ was working in them
Paul describes the work of Christ in and through the local church
The ministry of the Holy Spirit works through “giving” and “receiving”
The point is that the Philippians were going to receive of the Spirit
They will receive of the Spirit because they had given through the Spirit
They were a mission minded church, allowing the Spirit to guide them
“But you only,” the Philippian church supported Paul’s ministry even when others didn’t
The amount of their support was not Paul’s reason for thanking them
Paul knew that their desire was to help him continue to spread the Gospel
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Soon after Paul left the Philippians he went to Thessalonica
In Acts 17:1-15 you can read of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica, also read 1 & 2 Thessalonians
We do not know how much or how many times the Philippians sent support to Paul
Paul worked for his needs as he ministered in Thessalonica, he wanted to be an example to them
Yet, Paul identifies the offering of the Philippians as a gift that meets his needs
Paul is now going to take the opportunity to teach the truth of giving and receiving
Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Paul was not seeking an offering for the purpose of fulfilling sinful lusts or worldly desires
Paul’s preaching was not a plea for money to be given to him, he did not beg for money
Which does often take place today in the name of religion or charitable organizations
You have heard it often, “give me an offering and God will tremendously bless you”
One man replied, “I want you to get the blessing, you send me an offering”
Page 2 of 5
Paul received in order that he may continue to give and bring forth “fruit”
“Fruit” would be the result of Paul’s ministry, but God would extend it far beyond that
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9