Philippians 4:17 (KJV)

Passage

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:15 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.

Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Philippians 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "desire", "gift", "fruit", "abound", and "account". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "desire" and "gift", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "For even in Thessalonica ye sent once..." into verse 18's "But I have all and abound I...", so "desire" and "gift" belong inside that flow. In Philippians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "desire" and "gift" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.