Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. New Living Translation Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. English Standard Version Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Berean Standard Bible I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. Berean Literal Bible Not that I speak as to destitution, for I have learned to be content in that which I am. King James Bible Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. New King James Version Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: New American Standard Bible Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. NASB 1995 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. NASB 1977 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Legacy Standard Bible Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Amplified Bible Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. Christian Standard Bible I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. Holman Christian Standard Bible I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. American Standard Version Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. Contemporary English Version I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. English Revised Version Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. GOD'S WORD® Translation I'm not saying this because I'm in any need. I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in. Good News Translation And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. International Standard Version I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in. Majority Standard Bible I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. NET Bible I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. New Heart English Bible I'm not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. Webster's Bible Translation Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, with that to be content. Weymouth New Testament I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) World English Bible Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI do not say that in respect of want, for I learned in the things in which I am—to be content; Berean Literal Bible Not that I speak as to destitution, for I have learned to be content in that which I am. Young's Literal Translation not that in respect of want I say it, for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content; Smith's Literal Translation Not that I speak concerning want; for I have learned, among whom I am, to be satisfied with my condition. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith. Catholic Public Domain Version I am not saying this as if out of need. For I have learned that, in whatever state I am, it is sufficient. New American Bible Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. New Revised Standard Version Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNor am I saying this simply because I am in want; for I have learned to make what I have meet my needs. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But I said it, not because I had need, because I have learned that whatever I have will be enough for me. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI do not speak in respect to want: for I have learned, in whatever condition I am, to be content. Godbey New Testament Not that I speak concerning deficiency: for I have learned to be content with those things amid which I am. Haweis New Testament Not that I mention this with a view to my indigence: for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am, to be content. Mace New Testament it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want, Weymouth New Testament I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) Worrell New Testament Not that I am speaking in respect of want; for I learned in whatsoever circumstances I am, to be content. Worsley New Testament Not that I speak on account of want; for I have learnt in whatever circumstances I am, to be contented. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Generosity of the Philippians10Now 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. 11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.… Cross References 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. / We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; / in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ... Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. / Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 34:9-10 Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. / Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. / My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Treasury of Scripture Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. in respect. 1 Corinthians 4:11,12 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; … 2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. I have. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, Exodus 2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. Jump to Previous Able Circumstances Complain Content Dependent Fear Lack Need Needs Part Privation Refer Regards Respect Satisfied Speak State Therein Therewith Want Whatever Whatsoever WhereverJump to Next Able Circumstances Complain Content Dependent Fear Lack Need Needs Part Privation Refer Regards Respect Satisfied Speak State Therein Therewith Want Whatever Whatsoever WhereverPhilippians 4 1. From particular admonitions,4. he proceeds to general exhortations, 10. showing how he rejoiced at their generosity toward him while in prison. 19. And so he concludes with prayer and salutations. I am not saying this out of need Paul writes to the Philippians from a Roman prison, emphasizing that his joy and gratitude are not dependent on material needs. This reflects his deep trust in God's provision, as seen in his previous experiences of both abundance and scarcity. His statement underscores the principle that spiritual fulfillment transcends physical circumstances, aligning with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 about not worrying over material needs. for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to the Philippians. He is in prison at the time of writing, yet he speaks of contentment. 2. Philippi A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was the first European church founded by Paul. 3. Philippian Church The recipients of the letter, known for their generosity and support of Paul's ministry. 4. Roman Imprisonment The context in which Paul writes this letter, highlighting the depth of his contentment despite his dire circumstances. Teaching Points Contentment as a Learned VirtueContentment is not innate but learned through experience and reliance on God. Paul emphasizes that he "learned" to be content, suggesting a process of growth and maturity. Independence from Circumstances True contentment is not dependent on external situations but on an internal state of trust in God. Paul’s imprisonment underscores this truth. Reliance on God's Provision Contentment is rooted in the assurance of God's provision and faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to trust that God will meet their needs. Spiritual Strength in Weakness Contentment is linked to finding strength in Christ, even when circumstances are challenging. This reflects a deep spiritual resilience. Gratitude and Generosity Contentment fosters a spirit of gratitude and enables believers to be generous, as seen in the Philippians' support of Paul.(11) I have learned.--The "I" is here emphatic. There is evident reference to the habit peculiar to St. Paul, and made by him his especial "glory" (1Corinthians 9:14), of refusing that maintenance from the churches which was his of right. Compare his words to the Ephesian presbyters, "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities" (Acts 20:33-34). Content.--The word (like the corresponding substantive in 2Corinthians 9:8; 1Timothy 6:6) properly means, self-sufficing. Such self-sufficiency was the especial characteristic claimed by the Stoics for the ideal wise man of their philosophy--a characteristic full of nobleness, so far as it involved the sitting loose to all the things of the world, but inhuman in relation to human affections, and virtually atheistic if it described the attitude of the soul towards the Supreme Power. Only in the first relation does St. Paul claim it here. It is difficult not to suppose that he does so with some reference to a philosophy so essentially Roman in practical development. Verse 11. - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. . He explains himself; it is not want that prompted his words. Literally, I learned (the verb is aorist); that is, when he became a Christian. The A.V. is verbally inaccurate in the following words, which mean literally, "In the circumstances in which I am." But the sense is the same. St. Paul is speaking of his present condition: he is content with it, though it involves all the hardships of captivity; his present contentment is a sample of his habitual frame of mind. Αὐτάρκης here rendered "content," is a common word in Greek philosophy. It means "self-sufficient," "independent." It is of frequent occurrence in Stoical treatises; but St. Paul uses it in a Christian sense; he is αυτάρκης in relation to man, but his αὐτάρκεια comes from God (2 Corinthians 9:8).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek I am not saying thisλέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. out of καθ’ (kath’) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). need, ὑστέρησιν (hysterēsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5304: Poverty, want, need. A falling short, i.e., penury. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. have learned ἔμαθον (emathon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3129: Prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, matheo, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn. to be εἶναι (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. content αὐτάρκης (autarkēs) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 842: Self-sufficient, contented, satisfied, independent. From autos and arkeo; self-complacent, i.e. Contented. regardless of my circumstances. ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Links Philippians 4:11 NIVPhilippians 4:11 NLT Philippians 4:11 ESV Philippians 4:11 NASB Philippians 4:11 KJV Philippians 4:11 BibleApps.com Philippians 4:11 Biblia Paralela Philippians 4:11 Chinese Bible Philippians 4:11 French Bible Philippians 4:11 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect (Philipp. Phil. Php.) |
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