In Philippians 4:15, the Apostle Paul writes, “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.” 

In this portion, Paul is commending the Philippians for their faithfulness in ministering to his needs.  The Greek word for ‘communicated’ is “koinoneo” and it means to share or give.  Paul is showing that after he left Macedonia no local church gave him any money for support, except for these faithful men of Philippi.  The Apostle had already stated in verses 10-11, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”  Paul was not complaining about the lack of support from others for he had learned to be content with whatever the Lord provided for him.  However, he was thankful that the saints in Philippi exercised care to Paul in helping to supply his earthly needs while he ministered spiritual needs.

To answer your good question, let us look at the beginning of this important verse.  Paul directly addresses the Philippians.  He is speaking to the believers who live in Philippi.  He mentions leaving Macedonia.  Macedonia, in New Testament times, was a Roman province situated north of Greece.  Philippi was a city inside Macedonia.  By using the term, ‘in the beginning of the Gospel’ Paul was referring to the first time he presented the Gospel in Philippi.  Let’s read of that account in Acts 16:11-14, “Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Outside of Philippi was a river where a group of women had gathered on the sabbath to pray.  How precious the thought that this group of women realized the power of prayer and gathered together at this river to pray together.  It was there that the Apostle Paul spoke with them and met Lydia.  Hearing Paul speak, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to understand the Gospel and she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior.  By faith, she attended (responded to, gave heed to) the things Paul spoke of.  It was at this ‘beginning of the Gospel’ in Philippi that Lydia was the first convert to Christ by the preaching of the Word by the Apostle Paul.

What about you, dear reader?  Have you responded to the sound of the Gospel?  Listen to this conversation between Paul and the jailer when he was imprisoned in Philippi.  The jailer asked of Paul and Silas, “…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).  Paul’s reply was so simple, but so powerful for it opened the way of salvation to this man (and his family).  Paul responded in verse 31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  This jailer realized he was a sinner in need of a savior, and he desired to know the way of salvation.  Paul pointed out that there was only ONE WAY…and that was to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Have you done that, dear reader?  Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that you might be saved?    If not, I strongly encourage you to accept the Lord Jesus as your savior before it is eternally too late!  (CC)  (502.6)