Philippians 4:12

Philippians 4:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
• New International Version (NIV)I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Context of Philippians 4:12

10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. 13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction.

Philippians 4:12 word by word

οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι, οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν· ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι·Read the interlinear

• I knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• to live humblyταπεινόωtapeinoō · to humbleG5013
• to aboundπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
• Inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• anyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• I have learned the secretμυέωmueō · to initiateG3453
• of being filledχορτάζωchortazō · to feedG5526
• being hungryπεινάωpeinaō · to hungerG3983
• having needὑστερέωhustereō · to lackG5302

Cross-references for Philippians 4:12

• 1 Corinthians 4:9For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
• 2 Corinthians 10:1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
• 2 Corinthians 12:7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
• Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.
• Nehemiah 9:20You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.
• Isaiah 8:11For this is what the LORD has spoken to me with a strong hand, instructing me not to walk in the way of this people:
• Jeremiah 31:19After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
• Matthew 11:29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Matthew 13:52Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
• Ephesians 4:20But this is not the way you came to know Christ.

Commentaries on Philippians 4:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12I know - how to be abased - I have passed through all these states; I know how to conduct myself in each, and how to extract good from all. And he had passed through these things, especially the hardships, so that he had learned the lesson perfectly, as the word implies; he was thoroughly instructed; fully initiated into all the mysteries of poverty and want, and of the supporting hand of God in the whole. See here the state to which God permitted his…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12I know both how to be abased - To be in circumstances of want. And I know how to abound - To have an abundance. lie had been in circumstances where he had an ample supply for all his needs, and knew what it was to have enough. It requires as much grace to keep the heart right in prosperity, as it does in adversity, and perhaps more. Adversity, of itself, does something to keep the mind in a right state; prosperity does nothing. Everywhere and in all…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-19Verses 10-19 It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12As a servant of Christ, Paul has learned to be content with every situation, whether he had plenty or little. His life was filled with the joy that comes from doing the will of God whatever the cost.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. abased--in low circumstances (2Co 4:8; 6:9, 10). everywhere--rather, "in each, and in all things" [Alford]. instructed--in the secret. Literally, "initiated" in a secret teaching, which is a mystery unknown to the world.Read the comment

Topics related to Philippians 4:12

• Beneficence
• Church
• Contentment
• Humility
• Minister, Christian
• Philippi
• Resignation
• Righteousness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Communicate
• Crown
• Epaphroditus
• Humility
• Need
• Request
• Therewith
• Abase
• Macedonia
• Money

Commentaries on Philippians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings