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

10I have great joy in the Lord because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. (Now I know you were concerned before but had no opportunity to do anything.) 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. 13I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.

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 4:9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,
• 2 Corinthians 10:1Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) –
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge?
• 2 Corinthians 12:7even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant.
• Deuteronomy 32:10The Lord found him in a desolate land, in an empty wasteland where animals howl. He continually guarded him and taught him; he continually protected him like the pupil of his eye.
• Nehemiah 9:20You imparted your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths; you provided water for their thirst.
• Isaiah 8:11Indeed this is what the Lord told me. He took hold of me firmly and warned me not to act like these people:
• Jeremiah 31:19For after we turned away from you we repented. After we came to our senses we beat our breasts in sorrow. We are ashamed and humiliated because of the disgraceful things we did previously.’
• Matthew 11:29Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Matthew 13:52Then he said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure what is new and old.”
• Ephesians 4:20But you did not learn about Christ like this,

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