Philippians 4:15 is the only place in the New Testament where the noun appears: “And you Philippians as well know that in the early days of the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone” (Berean Standard Bible). Within this sentence the term denotes the “receiving” side of a two-way stewardship partnership between the apostle Paul and the congregation at Philippi.

Pauline Partnership Language

1. Mutuality. Paul pairs “giving” with “receiving,” presenting gospel finances as reciprocal rather than one-sided. The Philippians are not merely donors; they are full partners (compare Philippians 1:5).
2. Accountability. By recording both flows—funds sent and benefits received—Paul models transparent accounting, a pattern that missionary and church treasuries have followed ever since.
3. Gratitude without coercion. The apostle thanks them (Philippians 4:10) yet stresses that his contentment rests in Christ, not in the amount (Philippians 4:11-13). The noun therefore stands inside a paragraph that guards generosity from manipulation.

The Reciprocity of Giving and Receiving

• Luke 6:38 teaches, “Give, and it will be given to you,” echoing the same two-way rhythm.
• 2 Corinthians 8–9 expands the principle into inter-church relief. The Macedonians “gave according to their ability and even beyond it,” and in turn would “reap bountifully.”

Biblical stewardship is therefore cyclical: God supplies (2 Corinthians 9:10-11), believers distribute, needs are met, and thanksgiving returns to God.

Macedonian Generosity in the Early Church

Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea had experienced severe affliction and poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Yet they begged to participate in support of the Jerusalem saints and Paul’s mission. The single occurrence of the noun in Philippians 4:15 crystallizes the Macedonian spirit: gospel partnership transcends economic hardship.

Principles for Christian Stewardship

1. Voluntary, cheerful action (2 Corinthians 9:7).
2. Partnership, not patronage (Philippians 4:15-16).
3. Eternal dividends: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (Philippians 4:17).
4. Worship: offerings are “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

Missionary Support as Gospel Fellowship

The noun underscores that missionaries both give (preaching, teaching, suffering) and receive (material aid, prayer, encouragement). Modern mission agencies trace their theology of donor relationships to this verse, insisting on two-way communication, regular reporting, and prayer correspondence—continuing Paul’s template.

Old Testament Roots

• Genesis 14:20 – Abraham gives a tithe and receives blessing.
• Malachi 3:10 – Bring the whole tithe; “see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven.”

These passages prefigure the New Testament idea that giving invites God’s provision, and that receiving resources is inseparable from worship.

Christ as the Ultimate Giver and Receiver

Philippians 2:6-11 shows Christ “emptying Himself” and later “receiving” the name above every name. The pattern of self-giving followed by exaltation provides the theological foundation for Paul’s language in chapter 4: believers imitate their Lord by releasing resources and trusting God to supply all their needs “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Historical Reception

• Early church collections for famine relief (Acts 11:29-30) embodied the same principle.
• The Didache instructs churches to test itinerant ministers by observing whether they take without giving.
• Reformation-era mission advances (e.g., Moravians) revived the Philippian model, financing evangelism through sacrificial giving that expected spiritual fruit rather than worldly profit.

Pastoral and Practical Implications

• Teach congregations to view offerings as shared ministry, not loss.
• Maintain clear records distinguishing incoming support (“receiving”) and outgoing charity or mission expenses (“giving”), mirroring Paul’s phraseology.
• Encourage testimonies of how God meets needs, reinforcing faith in divine provision.
• Guard against entitlement on the part of ministers; the example of Paul shows gratitude and independence, not demand.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3028 highlights the “receiving” side of gospel economics, appearing once in Scripture yet anchoring a theology of mutual support. Philippians 4:15 portrays stewardship as a sacred exchange in which resources flow, thanksgiving rises, and God’s mission advances—a pattern that continues to shape faithful ministry today.