New International Version
Philippians 4:12
12I 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Context of Philippians 4:12
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Read all of Philippians 4Philippians 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 it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
- 2 Corinthians 10:1By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!
- 2 Corinthians 11:7Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Corinthians 12:7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
- Deuteronomy 32:10In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for 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 8:11This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:
- Jeremiah 31:19After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. 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 13:52He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
- Ephesians 4:20That, however, is not the way of life you learned
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
In the dictionaries
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
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