Devine Scripture

Philippians 4:12

What does Philippians 4:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 4:12 means

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 · 2000

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 · 1611

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 · 1901

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 · 1949

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 · 1862

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) · 1752

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 · 1890

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

Having 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.

v.11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

v.12This passage

v.13I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 32:10

    He found him in a desert land, And in the waste howling wilderness; He compassed him about, he cared for him, He kept him as the apple of his eye.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:10

    For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27

    in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

  • Nehemiah 9:20

    Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

  • Jeremiah 31:19

    Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:1

    Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:

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