Philippians 4:11–12
What does Philippians 4:11–12 mean?
A plain-English look at Philippians 4:11–12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philippians 4:11–12 means
Philippians 4:11
Paul clarifies he is not speaking from lack. He has learned to be content in whatever situation. Contentment here is a Christ-shaped sufficiency, not stoic detachment or complacency. It is learned over time, often through trials that expose false dependencies. Whether resources are scarce or abundant, he has discovered a stable center that rests in God’s care and calling. This guards him from manipulating supporters or tying joy to fluctuating circumstances. True contentment frees both giver and receiver: the giver from pressure, the receiver from greed. It is a testimony that God’s grace is enough in prison or freedom, hunger or plenty, obscurity or recognition.
Philippians 4:12
Paul expands on contentment: he knows how to live when humbled and when prospering. He has been taught, through varied experiences, the “secret” of facing fullness and hunger, abundance and want. Either condition brings its own temptations—pride in plenty, despair in lack. The secret is not a technique but a person, as the next verse will show. His ministry has taken him through extremes, and in all he has learned a steady reliance on God. This realism encourages believers who face changing circumstances. Spiritual maturity does not depend on constant comfort but on a heart trained to trust and obey whether resources increase or diminish.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself. It is the same to me if I am looked down on or honoured; everywhere and in all things I have the secret of how to be full and how to go without food; how to have wealth and how to be in need.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862not that in respect of want I say <FI>it<Fi> , for I did learn in the things in which I am--to be content; I have known both to be abased, and I have known to abound; in everything and in all things I have been initiated, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith. I know both how to be brought low, 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Not that I speak as regards privation, for as to me I have learnt in those circumstances in which I am, to be satisfied in myself. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am initiated both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer privation.
Context
v.11Paul’s thanksgiving could be misread as a plea for more. He preempts that by testifying to learned contentment, setting the stage for the fuller description in verse 12 and the confession in verse 13 that Christ empowers such constancy. This protects the relationship from misunderstanding and teaches the church a vital spiritual lesson. After defining contentment, Paul will still affirm their partnership as good and meaningful (verse 14), balancing independence of spirit with genuine appreciation for shared ministry.
v.12Having said he learned contentment, Paul illustrates it with both sides of the spectrum: abasement and abundance. This realism invites the church to a balanced spirituality that neither idolizes prosperity nor romanticizes poverty. Verse 13 will reveal the source of this steadiness—Christ’s strengthening. Then Paul will pivot back to commend the Philippians for sharing in his affliction, validating their generosity while keeping Christ-centered contentment at the core.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:8
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
- 2 Corinthians 11:27
in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
- Hebrews 13:5
Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
- Exodus 2:21
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
- 2 Corinthians 6:10
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
- Matthew 6:31
Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
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