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

10The Lord has filled me with joy because you again showed interest in me. You were interested but did not have an opportunity to show it. 11I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. 13I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles.

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• I knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• bothκαίkai · andG2532
• to be abasedταπεινόωtapeinoō · to humbleG5013
• to aboundπερισσεύωperisseuō · to exceedG4052
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• every whereπᾶςpas · allG3956
• I am instructedμυέωmueō · to initiateG3453
• to be fullχορτάζωchortazō · to feedG5526
• to be hungryπεινάωpeinaō · to hungerG3983
• to suffer needὑστερέωhustereō · to lackG5302

Cross-references for Philippians 4:12

• 1 Corinthians 4:9As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety,
• 2 Corinthians 10:1I, Paul, make my appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ. I’m the one who is humble when I’m with you but forceful toward you when I’m not with you.
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by telling you the Good News of God free of charge so that you could become important?
• 2 Corinthians 12:7especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I’ve had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan’s messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited.
• Deuteronomy 32:10He found his people in a desert land, in a barren place where animals howl. He guarded them, took care of them, and protected them because they were helpless.
• Nehemiah 9:20You gave them your good Spirit to teach them. You didn’t keep your manna to yourself. You gave them water to quench their thirst.
• Isaiah 8:11This is what the Lord said with his powerful hand on me. He warned me not to follow the ways of these people:
• Jeremiah 31:19After I was turned around, I changed the way I thought and acted. After I was taught a lesson, I hung my head in shame. I was so ashamed and humiliated, because of all the stupid things I have done ever since I was young.’
• Matthew 11:29Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves
• Matthew 13:52So Jesus said to them, “That is why every student of the Scriptures who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure chest.”
• Ephesians 4:20But that is not what you learned from Christ’s teachings.

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