By Epaphroditus, Paul sent the Philippian believers a letter, in which he thanked them for their gifts to him. Of all the churches, that of Philippi had been the most liberal in supplying Paul's wants. "Now ye Philippians know also," the apostle said in his letter, "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. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire 480 fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God."

Gennem Epafroditus sendte Paulus de troende i Filippi et brev, hvori han takkede dem for deres gaver til ham. Af alle menighederne havde Filippi været den mest gavmilde til at sørge for Paulus underhold. "I ved det også selv, filippere! at i evangeliets første tider, da jeg var rejst fra Makedonien, var I den eneste menighed, der havde regnskab med mig over "givet og modtaget". Thi endog mens jeg var i Tessalonika, sendte I mig både én og to gange, hvad jeg trængte til. Ikke at jeg attrår gaven, men jeg attrår den frugt, som fylder godt på jeres indtægtsside! Herved anerkender jeg modtagelsen af alt! Nu har jeg overflod; jeg har fuldt op, efter at jeg gennem Epafroditus har modtaget jeres gave, "en liflig duft" et kærkomment offer, velbehageligt for Gud.