Philippians 4 12

Philippians 4:12 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.

Philippians 4:12 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.

Philippians 4:12 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.

Philippians 4:12 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.

Philippians 4:12 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.

Philippians 4 verses

Philippians 4 12 Meaning

Philippians 4:12 articulates Paul's profound and experiential learning in navigating all extremes of life. He possesses an initiated, spiritual understanding of how to find contentment and purpose, whether experiencing scarcity and suffering or abundance and prosperity. His ability to adapt to varying circumstances is not a mere stoic resilience but a deeply internalized Christian truth, enabling him to remain stable and fruitful regardless of external conditions.

Philippians 4 12 Context

Philippians 4:12 is situated within Paul's concluding exhortations to the Philippian church. This letter, likely penned from Roman imprisonment, overflows with joy and thankfulness despite Paul's difficult circumstances. The specific context of verses 10-20 addresses the financial support Paul received from the Philippians, a point of gratitude for him. He reassures them that while their gift was timely and appreciated (v.10), his ultimate well-being and ability to function are not dependent on such provisions. He is not saying he doesn't need or appreciate their generosity but clarifies that he has personally mastered the art of being content regardless of their support or its lack. This verse specifically introduces the secret of his endurance before he reveals its source in the immediately following verse (Phil 4:13). It showcases his tested and proven faith, setting an example for believers to cultivate resilience and reliance on Christ.

Philippians 4 12 Word analysis

• I know (οἶδα - oida): This is not mere intellectual knowledge, but a deep, personal, and lived experience. Paul is testifying to a practical mastery, an experiential understanding of living through both poverty and prosperity.
• to be abased (ταπεινοῦσθαι - tapeinousthai): Means to be brought low, to experience poverty, humble circumstances, lack, or even humiliation. It encompasses a state of deprivation, lacking basic necessities, and a lower social standing that might accompany such conditions.
• to abound (περισσεύειν - perisseuein): To have more than enough, to overflow, to be in excess, to be prosperous or plentiful. It signifies a state of material well-being, possessing abundance.
• Everywhere and in all things: This phrase underscores the universal scope and comprehensive nature of Paul's experience. It's not limited to specific situations but applies across all locations and conditions imaginable.
• I have learned (μεμύημαι - memuēmai): This is a very significant word. Derived from mystery cults, where it meant to be "initiated" into sacred rites or secrets, it implies a deep, profound, spiritual instruction or training. Paul is suggesting his mastery is not self-taught stoicism, but an "initiation" into a profound Christian truth and lifestyle. It is a state of spiritual preparedness, a divinely given internal adjustment to external conditions. This implies a gradual, challenging, yet ultimately triumphant process of revelation and internal transformation.
• to be full (χορτάζεσθαι - chortazesthai): To be satisfied, to have one's appetite or needs fully met. It literally refers to being fed or having plenty of food, but broadly signifies ample provision.
• to be hungry (πεινᾶν - peinan): To experience physical hunger or lack of food, often implying prolonged want and suffering.
• to suffer need (ὑστερεῖσθαι - hystereisthai): To be in want, to lack, to fall short, or to be deficient in something necessary. It's a broader term than just hunger, referring to any form of material deprivation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.": This pairing highlights Paul's profound adaptability to two completely opposite extremes of material condition. It speaks to a practical wisdom gained through personal experience, capable of handling prosperity as carefully as poverty.
• "Everywhere and in all things I have learned...": This phrase emphasizes the universality and totality of Paul's "initiation." His spiritual lesson applies to all situations and locations, leaving no room for circumstances to defeat his internal peace or ministry effectiveness.
• "...both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.": These contrasting pairs describe the specific manifestations of abasement and abounding. They detail the concrete experiences of having much or little, reinforcing that his learned contentment applies to every possible material reality from complete satisfaction to dire deprivation.

Philippians 4 12 Bonus section

The unique usage of memuēmai in this context is remarkable, as it's the only time Paul uses this particular word. Its connection to "mystery" traditions or secret cult initiations adds layers of meaning, suggesting that the "secret" to Christian contentment is not easily acquired or a simple mental trick, but a profound spiritual truth into which one is brought through an intimate relationship with God and through sustained experiences. It highlights that this kind of contentment is a divine imparting and not merely human self-discipline. Paul's experience demonstrates that Christian joy and fruitfulness are entirely independent of material conditions and are instead a product of being spiritually initiated into the sufficiency of Christ.

Philippians 4 12 Commentary

Philippians 4:12 reveals Paul's incredible spiritual maturity, showcasing a man whose well-being is detached from his circumstances. His "knowing" how to navigate both abundance and poverty is not a superficial acquaintance but a deep, personal understanding, signified by the powerful word memuēmai – "I have learned/been initiated." This spiritual "initiation" into the mystery of Christian sufficiency means that Paul has been profoundly taught, through life's trials and triumphs, how to operate from an inner spiritual resource rather than relying on external provisions or lack thereof.

This learned contentment is not passive resignation or stoic indifference. It's an active, dynamic state powered by Christ, enabling Paul to be equally joyful and fruitful whether well-fed or starving, wealthy or destitute. He explicitly mentions these harsh realities, which align with his life as described elsewhere (e.g., 2 Cor 11:23-27). This verse is a vital precursor to the well-known Phil 4:13, where Paul will disclose the ultimate source of this extraordinary ability: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Thus, his capacity to endure and thrive in every state is a testament not to his own resilience, but to the indwelling power and grace of Jesus Christ. It models for believers an unwavering faith that finds its stability not in fluctuating earthly conditions but in the unshakeable foundation of Christ's provision and strength.