Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Philippians 4:17

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Not that I seek for the gift." As he said above, "Not that I speak in respect of want"; that is stronger than this. For it is one thing, that he who is in want, should not seek, and another that he who is in want should not even consider himself to be in want. "Not that I seek for the gift," he says, "but I seek for the fruit, that increaseth to your account." Not mine own. Seest thou, that the fruit is produced for them? This say I for your sake, says he, not for my own, for your salvation. …

Homily on Philippians 15 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he said something humiliating by saying "for my need," then, lest they become proud on this account, he continues: I say this not because I seek a gift from you, but for your benefit, so that you may have fruit that should serve to your benefit. Do you see, they themselves received benefit from giving.

Commentary on Philippians ↗

Irenaeus

For all the righteous possess the sacerdotal rank. And all the apostles of the Lord are priests, who do inherit here neither lands nor houses, but serve God and the altar continually. Of whom Moses also says in Deuteronomy, when blessing Levi, "Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not known thee; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, and he disinherited his own sons: he kept Thy commandments, and observed Thy covenant." But who are they that have left father and mother, and have said adieu to all their neighbours, on …

Against Heresies Book IV ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Not that I seek the gift. Here it should be noted that when a person gives something to someone else, two things should be considered: the substance of the gift and the merit of the donor. One who takes joy in temporal things rejoices in the substance of the gift and looks only for donors; this is a hireling. But one who looks at the merit of the donor looks for the fruit of virtue and justice; such a one is a shepherd. But I seek the fruit which increases to your credit. …

Commentary on Philippians ↗