-The main verb is phronein, to be thinking. It is the action of the phren, which is the understanding mind. It is thoughts which have actions following them, my mind focused on something such that it directs what I do next, and it has occured more often in this letter than any place else in the NT. To this point we have been exhorted to be thinking the same/the one (with corresponding actions), to be thinking like Jesus as well as like Paul (with corresponding actions, and to NOT be thinking about earthly things (again with corresponding actions). We have also seen Paul thinking (a lot) about these Philippian believers, and now we see that they brought Paul great joy because they have (finally) been able to act in a way that showed him that they were thinking about him. And that’s really the most important part about thinking about someone, isn’t it? It’s showing them that you are thinking about them. Anyone can have thoughts about another person. But showing them that you were thinking about them is what really makes them feel loved and brings them joy and courage - which can be particularly important if someone is, say, in prison (like Paul), or otherwise experiencing some form of hardship.
-Think about it - Paul had been languishing in chains, far from home, no contact whatsoever, no skype or internet, no text messages or phone calls, and maybe not even so much as a letter. And while we see that he did have Timothy with him, and that he was indeed making the most of situation, imagine that after many long months and perhaps years under house arrest in this strange place, his old friend and comrade Epaphroditus shows up with a gift from the assembly in Philippi, from his dear friends who he thought about and prayed for all the time. Imagine how encouraged and loved he would have felt.
-And apparently it was not for lack of desire that they didn’t send something sooner. They were thinking about him, but they didn’t show it (and were somehow unable to do so). Paul says that they simply did not have the kairos, the God-ordained time or opportunity, to show that they were thinking about him. He says now at last they have revived their active-thinking for him. The verb is a rare poetical word, used to describe a tree which was dry but has sprouted and flourished again (Ezekiel 17.24). It is used only here in the NT, but I think Paul uses it because it actually captures a bit of his heart. He is the one who has been in a place of dryness, of soul-weariness, and the fact that these folks have finally been able to show him that they were thinking about him has brought him tremendous joy. Reviving their concern for him has revived his heart.
-I wonder if perhaps there is someone for whom you might find opportunity to revive your concern. Would the Lord perhaps open the door for you to bless someone by showing them that you are in fact thinking about them? Someone who is far from home or possibly in some challenging circumstances? Life moves so incredibly fast and the precious moments, the opportunities we might have to encourage and bless a fellow pilgrim fly quickly on by as we hurry about our own busy-ness. Slow down, pause a moment, and seize an opportunity today to show someone that you are thinking about them. You could easily post on their facebook or shoot them a text. Or an email. But what about a phone call? Or perhaps even sending them a gift. As it turns out, that’s what these folks did for Paul. It is the fact of taking the time to reach out to someone that shows them you were thinking about them and that you care.
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