Tree of Life Version
Philippians 4:12
12I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need.
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 rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me (though you were concerned before but lacked opportunity to show it). 11I am not saying this because I am in need—for whatever circumstance I am in, I have learned to be content. I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my trouble.
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, the emissaries, on display last of all—like men sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4But as God’s servants, we are commending ourselves in every way—in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
- 2 Corinthians 10:1Now I, Paul, appeal myself to you by the meekness and gentleness of Messiah—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when far away.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed to you God’s Good News free of charge?
- 2 Corinthians 12:7even in the extraordinary quality of the revelations. So that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me—a a messenger of satan to torment me, so I would not exalt myself.
- Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in the wilderness land, in the void of a howling waste. He surrounded him, cared for him, guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
- Nehemiah 9:20You also gave Your good Ruach to teach them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouth and You gave them water for their thirst.
- Isaiah 8:11For thus Adonai spoke to me, with a strong hand, warning me that I should not walk in the way of these people, saying:
- Jeremiah 31:19Is Ephraim a precious son to Me? Is he a delightful child? For as often as I spoke against him, I still certainly remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him. I will surely have compassion on him.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
- 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 said to them, “Therefore every Torah scholar discipled for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure both new things and old.”
- Ephesians 4:20However, you did not learn Messiah in this way—
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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