Phil 4:19

“On the other hand, this worldly concupiscence (to which I referred) has, as its causes, glory, cupidity, ambition, want of sufficiency; through which causes it trumps up the "necessity" for marrying,-promising itself, forsooth, heavenly things in return-to lord it, (namely,) in another's family; to roost on another's wealth; to extort splendour from another's store to lavish expenditure which you do not feel! Far be all this from believers, who have no care about maintenance, unless it be that we distrust the promises of God, and (His) care and providence, who clothes with such grace the lilies of the field; who, without any labour on their part, feeds the fowls of the heaven; who prohibits care to be taken about to-morrow's food and clothing, promising that He knows what is needful for each of His servants-not indeed ponderous necklaces, not burdensome garments, not Gallic mules nor German bearers, which all add lustre to the glory of nuptials; but "sufficiency," which is suitable to moderation and modesty, Presume, I pray you, that you have need of nothing if you "attend upon the Lord; " nay, that you have all things, if you have the Lord, whose are all things.”

“"And may my God fulfill every need of yours, according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus." Behold how he invokes blessings upon them, as poor men do. But if even Paul blesseth those who give, much more let us not be ashamed to do this when we receive. Let us not receive as though we ourselves had need, let us not rejoice on our own account, but on that of the givers. Thus we too who receive shall have a reward, if we rejoice for their sake. Thus we shall not take it hardly, when men do not give, but rather shall grieve for their sake. So shall we render them more zealous, if we teach them, that not for our own sake do we so act; "but may my God" fulfill every need of yours, or every grace, or every joy. If the second be true, "every grace," he meaneth not only the alms, which are of earth, but every excellency. If the first, "your every need," which I think too should rather be read, this is what he means to show. As he had said, "ye lacked opportunity," he here maketh an addition, as he doth in the Epistle to the Corinthians, saying, "And He that supplieth seed to the sower, may He supply bread for food, and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." He invokes blessings upon them, that they may abound, and have wherewith to sow. He blesseth them too, not simply that they might abound, but "according to His riches," so that this too is done in measured terms. For had they been as he was, so truly wise, so crucified, he would not have done this; but since they were men that were handicraftsmen, poor, having wives, bringing up children, ruling their families, and who had given these very gifts out of small possessions, and had certain desires of the things of this world, he blesseth them appropriately. For it is not unseemly to invoke sufficiency and plenty upon those who thus use them. See too what he said. He said not, May He make you rich, and to abound greatly; but what said he? "May He fulfill every need of yours," so that ye may not be in want, but have things for your necessities. Since Christ too, when He gave us a form of prayer, inserted also this in the prayer, when He taught us to say, "Give us this day our daily bread." "According to His riches." That is, according to His free gift, i.e. it is easy to Him, and possible, and quickly. And since I have spoken of need, do not think that he will drive you into straits. Wherefore he added, "according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." So shall all things abound to you, that you may have them to His glory. Or, ye are wanting in nothing; (for it is written, "great grace was upon them all, neither was there any that lacked.") Or, so as to do all things for His glory, as if he had said, that ye may use your abundance to His glory.”

“Their gifts are like an aroma of sacrifice, a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God. Paul prays that the givers will also be recipients of necessities for the present life. He prays that "God will supply every need of yours." And there is nothing absurd in asking this blessing on them. For the Lord himself in the holy Gospels bids us say "give us our daily bread."”

“Since above he said: "circumstances were not favorable for you," that is, you yourselves were in a difficult situation, he now wishes them to be in abundance. If they had been as wise as Paul, he would not have asked bodily things for them. But since they were people occupied with worldly affairs and having some attachment to present things, he, condescending to their weakness, asks God for them not excess and luxury, but sufficiency in necessities. "May He supply," he says, "every need of yours," so that we may not be in destitution. Then, lest they think he is limiting them too much, he added: "according to His riches," that is, He is able to give you what is needed in excess and abundance. Therefore, make use of wealth to His glory. The expression "in Christ Jesus" can be understood both in this way—that the Father will accomplish this in Christ Jesus, that is, through Christ—and also in this way: "in glory," which refers to Christ Jesus. Therefore he adds the following.”

“Then when he says, my God will supply every need of yours, he brings the epistle to a close with a prayer: my God. There is one God of all men by creation and power; but He is mine, because I serve Him in a special way: "For God is my witness whom I serve" (Rom. 1:9). May He supply all your needs, because you have supplied mine. The Lord can do this because He abounds in riches: "The same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him" (Rom. 10:12); hence he says, according to his riches. And this, in glory, because in glory all his desires will be satisfied: "As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness" (Ps. 17:15); "I shall be satisfied when your glory shall appear" (Ps. 17:15). And this, in Christ Jesus, i.e., through Christ: "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises" (2 Pet. 1:4).”

“His promise is that "my God will supply every need of yours," that God himself might stand ready to help them receive all that he has provided for them in the abundant greatness of his glory in Christ Jesus. It is indeed the glory of Jesus Christ when by the will of God the desires of Christians are fulfilled in accordance with the teaching of the gospel.”