Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It's a really important one about how early Christians were connected and how they needed to work together. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: “Now you 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…” This verse is saying that before Christianity became really popular, churches weren’t sharing information or helping each other out. They were essentially operating in isolation. Let's unpack it further: “Philippians” : This refers to a specific church group in Philippi – a city in Greece. “Know also…” : This is like saying, “You need to understand this.” It’s a gentle reminder of something that was happening. “In the beginning of the gospel…” : This means "in the very early days" of Christianity – when Jesus started teaching and spreading his message. “When I departed from Macedonia…” : This tells us where Paul, who was a prominent leader in the church, went. He left Macedonia (a region in Greece). “No church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving…” : This is the key part. It means that churches weren’t talking to each other about how to handle money or resources. They weren't sharing information about how to manage their finances, what they were doing, or how to support each other. “But ye only…” : This is a crucial phrase. It emphasizes that they (the churches) were the only ones who were communicating. What does it mean in today's world? It’s a reminder that early Christians needed to be connected and coordinated with each other. It highlights the importance of community and collaboration – especially when it comes to sharing resources or helping those in need. In short, this verse is saying that churches were relatively isolated before Christianity became widespread, and that they needed to work together to support each other. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a broader idea about early Christian communities?