Philippians 1:7 “Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.”
The Apostle Paul held the most fond and tender Brotherly affection for the Church at Philippi because he had the most pleasant memories of his labors among them and because of their kind and loving support of him and his ministry while he was in “bonds”, a prisoner in Rome. The Lord had providentially worked in the hearts of the Roman officials so that “Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” (Acts 28:30-31)! He referred to their support this way: “your care of me” (Philippians 4:10), “ye did communicate with my affliction” (Philippians 4:14), and “I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you” (Philippians 4:18). Paul referred to his ministry as his “grace”; that is, the blessed gift of duty given to him by his Lord. That principal duty was “the defence and confirmation of the gospel” to which he fully applied himself through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. He lovingly told the Brethren at Philippi that they were “all” “partakers of” his “grace” through their support of him; that is, they were fellow-laborers with him in his noble work there. It is much the same in our day, the offerings given to ministers are certainly to be given out of love and appreciation to them; but, the most important reason to support the ministry is to support “the defence and confirmation of the gospel” of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!