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.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} I know {G1492} both how to be abased {G5013}, and {G2532} I know {G1492} how to abound {G4052}: every where {G1722}{G3956} and {G2532} in {G1722} all things {G3956} I am instructed {G3453} both {G2532} to be full {G5526} and {G2532} to be hungry {G3983}, both {G2532} to abound {G4052} and {G2532} to suffer need {G5302}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need.

Berean Standard Bible

I 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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:12, articulates a profound spiritual maturity, declaring his learned ability to navigate extreme life circumstances with contentment. He reveals that he has been "initiated" into the secret of thriving in both scarcity and abundance, whether experiencing deep poverty or overflowing provision. This verse underscores the internal, Christ-centered source of his stability, independent of external material conditions, setting the stage for his subsequent declaration of strength found in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Philippians 4:12 stands as a powerful elaboration on the preceding verse, where Paul states, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" ([Philippians 4:11](/philippians/4-11 "Philippians 4:11 - Paul's Contentment")). This sets the immediate stage for Paul to explain *how* he has learned this profound contentment. The verse immediately following, [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ"), then reveals the ultimate source of his strength and adaptability, forming a climactic statement about his reliance on Christ. Together, these verses present a cohesive argument for a contentment rooted not in circumstances, but in Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison, likely in Rome, around A.D. 60-62. His life as an apostle was marked by extreme fluctuations in material provision, as evidenced by his own accounts of shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, and thirst ([2 Corinthians 11:23-27](/2_corinthians/11-23-27 "2 Corinthians 11:23-27 - Paul's Sufferings")). The Philippian church, known for its generosity, had recently sent a financial gift to Paul ([Philippians 4:10](/philippians/4-10 "Philippians 4:10 - Philippians' Generosity")), prompting this reflection on his ability to be content regardless of their support. This context highlights the real-world challenges Paul faced and the genuine nature of his learned contentment, which was not theoretical but forged in the crucible of apostolic ministry.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Philippians and Paul's broader theology. It exemplifies **Christian contentment**, demonstrating that true peace and satisfaction are not contingent on external circumstances but are an internal disposition cultivated through faith. It speaks to the theme of **spiritual maturity**, showcasing Paul's growth beyond dependence on material comfort. Furthermore, it underscores the **sufficiency of Christ**, subtly preparing the reader for the explicit declaration in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - The Source of Strength"), where Paul attributes his ability to navigate all situations to Christ's empowering strength. This adaptability and reliance on Christ are central to Paul's understanding of the Christian life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **instructed (Greek, _myéō_):** This verb, G3453, means "to initiate, i.e. (by implication) to teach." It implies a deep, experiential learning, akin to being initiated into a mystery or a secret. Paul is not merely saying he has "learned" in a casual sense, but that he has been profoundly taught or initiated into the "secret" of living contentedly through all conditions. This suggests a divine instruction, a spiritual revelation gained through his walk with God and the trials he endured.
* **abased (Greek, _tapeinóō_):** G5013, meaning "to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)." This term vividly describes the experience of being brought low, whether through poverty, lack of resources, suffering, or social humiliation. It encompasses moments of genuine need and vulnerability, highlighting the extreme end of Paul's varied experiences.
* **abound (Greek, _perisseúō_):** G4052, meaning "to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel." This word stands in stark contrast to "abased," signifying times of plenty, prosperity, and having more than enough. Paul's ability to handle both extremes with equanimity speaks to a spiritual freedom from the demands of either scarcity or excess.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound":** Paul begins by asserting his experiential knowledge of both ends of the economic and social spectrum. "To be abased" refers to times of material deprivation, humility, or even suffering, while "to abound" signifies periods of plenty, prosperity, or having more than enough. This dual experience forms the foundation of his profound contentment.
* **"every where and in all things I am instructed":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness and universality of Paul's learning. His instruction was not limited to specific situations but applied "every where" (geographically, circumstantially) and "in all things" (in every kind of situation or condition). The passive voice "I am instructed" (from _myéō_) suggests that this learning was not merely self-taught but divinely imparted or revealed through his life's journey.
* **"both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need":** Paul reiterates and amplifies the contrast, using synonymous pairs to underscore the breadth of his experience. "To be full" (chortázō, literally "to be fed to the full," like animals being fed in a stall, implying complete satisfaction) and "to be hungry" are physical states of provision or lack. "To abound" and "to suffer need" (hysteréō, "to fall short, be deficient, lack, be in want") describe broader states of having more than enough or experiencing deprivation. These parallel clauses reinforce the idea that Paul's contentment transcends all material conditions.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his message. **Antithesis** is prominent, with repeated pairings of opposing concepts: "abased" and "abound," "full" and "hungry," "abound" and "suffer need." This stark contrast highlights the extreme range of experiences Paul has mastered. The phrase "every where and in all things" functions as a **hyperbole** or **amplification**, emphasizing the universal applicability of his learned contentment, suggesting no circumstance is outside its scope. The use of the passive voice for "I am instructed" implies a **divine agent** or a profound, almost mystical, process of learning, hinting at a wisdom not of human origin but imparted through spiritual experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Philippians 4:12 offers profound theological insights into the nature of Christian contentment and the sufficiency of God's grace. It challenges the common human tendency to seek security and happiness in external circumstances, whether through accumulating wealth or avoiding hardship. Instead, Paul demonstrates that true spiritual well-being is an internal disposition, cultivated through a deep reliance on Christ that transcends material conditions. This contentment is not stoicism or apathy, but a dynamic, Spirit-empowered ability to find peace and purpose in all seasons of life, recognizing God's sovereignty and provision even in scarcity.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Grace is Sufficient")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - Contentment with What You Have")
* [1 Timothy 6:6-8](/1_timothy/6-6-8 "1 Timothy 6:6-8 - Godliness with Contentment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's declaration in Philippians 4:12 serves as a powerful model for believers in every generation. It calls us to examine the true source of our security and satisfaction. In a world that often measures success by abundance and shuns suffering, Paul's life demonstrates that the Christian's peace is not found in the presence of plenty or the absence of want, but in a profound, learned dependence on Christ. This means cultivating a heart that is not anxious when resources are scarce, nor complacent when they are plentiful. It encourages us to embrace every season of life as an opportunity for spiritual growth and to trust in God's unfailing provision and strength, knowing that He is sufficient for all our needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Our goal should be to find our "fullness" in Him, regardless of our external circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find your contentment most tied to external circumstances rather than to Christ?**
* **What specific "abased" or "abound" experiences have taught you valuable spiritual lessons about God's faithfulness?**
* **How can you actively cultivate a deeper sense of contentment in Christ, particularly when facing financial insecurity or unexpected prosperity?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "I am instructed" in this verse?**

Answer: When Paul says "I am instructed" (KJV), he uses the Greek word _myéō_ (G3453), which signifies a deep, experiential learning, akin to being initiated into a secret or a mystery. It's not just intellectual understanding, but a profound, lived knowledge gained through divine teaching and personal experience. Paul is essentially saying he has been "initiated into the secret" of how to live contentedly and effectively in every conceivable circumstance, whether in abundance or in dire need. This secret was revealed to him through his walk with God and the varied trials and triumphs of his apostolic ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Philippians 4:12 speaks to Paul's personal experience of contentment, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. Christ perfectly embodied the ability to navigate both abasement and abundance, yet His focus was always on fulfilling the Father's will. He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), experiencing profound abasement, homelessness ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), and ultimately, the ultimate suffering and death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Yet, He also demonstrated authority over creation, providing abundance for thousands ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), and receiving the worship of multitudes. Jesus' life demonstrates that true power and contentment come not from external conditions, but from perfect obedience and reliance on God. His resurrection and ascension to glory ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")) show that the path through abasement can lead to ultimate abundance and exaltation, providing the pattern and the power for believers to likewise find strength in Him for every circumstance, as Paul affirms in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

2 Corinthians 11:27

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 11:9

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things] I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself].

2 Corinthians 6:4

But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.