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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Php_4:10-14
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
Php_4:10 "I rejoiced" Paul is so appreciative of this church's help (money, concern, prayers, Epaphroditus).
NASB, NRSV "that now at last you have revived your concern for me"
NKJV "that now at last your care for me has flourished again"
TEV "after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me"
NJB "now that at last your consideration for me has blossomed again"
At first glance this seems to be a negative statement in English. It is very similar to the phrase found in Rom_1:10. The term "revived" means "to bloom again." Paul is simply stating that they had the desire to help him but they had not had an opportunity (imperfect tense of both the verb and the infinitive of Php_4:10 b). This probably refers to a monetary gift (cf. Php_4:14). For a good article see Gordon Fee, To What End Exegesis? pp. 282-289.
Php_4:11 "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" This is an aorist tense employing a Stoic term (autarkçs). The Stoic philosophers used this term translated "contented" as the goal of their philosophy, which was a passionless distancing from the affairs of life, "a self-sufficiency." Paul was not saying that he was self-sufficient, but that he was Jesus-sufficient ("in the Lord," Php_4:10). The peace of God is not connected with circumstances, but with the person and work of Christ. This contentment is both a Christian worldview and friendship with the Savior. The theological concept of Christian contentment is also found in 2Co_9:8; 1Ti_6:6; 1Ti_6:8; Heb_13:5.
Php_4:12 This verse has three perfect tense verbs and six present infinitives. It is a beautiful, artistic affirmation of Paul's trust in God's moment-by-moment provision "in Christ." See Special Topic: Wealth at Eph_4:28.
▣ "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity" The two "I knows" are perfect active indicatives. Paul knew about want and plenty! The first term is translated "humbled" in Php_2:8, where it is used of Jesus. Here it means "less than what is needed for daily life."
The second word means "much more than is needed for daily life." There are two dangers facing believers in their Christian lifestyle: poverty and wealth (cf. Pro_30:7-9). The danger is that with poverty one becomes discouraged with God and with wealth one becomes self-sufficient apart from God.
▣ "prosperity. . .assurance" See Special Topic: Abound at Eph_1:8.
NASB, NRSV,
TEV "I have learned the secret"
NKJV "I have learned"
NJB "I have mastered the secret"
This literally means "I have been initiated." This is another perfect passive indicative. This term is used only here in the NT. It was used in the mystery religions for one who was initiated into their cult. Paul was asserting that he has learned by experience and by theology that the true secret of happiness is found in Christ, not in circumstances (cf. The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whithall Smith).
Php_4:13 The term "Christ" found in the King James Version does not occur in this verse in the oldest Greek manuscripts ( à *, A, B, or D*). However, the pronoun "Him" certainly refers to Jesus. This is the flipside of the truth found in Joh_15:5. Biblical truth is often presented in tension-filled pairs. Usually one side emphasizes God's involvement and the other, mankind's. This eastern method of presenting truth is very difficult for western people to grasp. Many of the tensions between denominations are a misunderstanding of this type of dialectical presentations of truth. To focus on one aspect or the other is to miss the point! These isolated proof texts have developed into systems of theology which are in fact only "half truths"!
▣ "strengthens" This is a Present active participle, "the one who continues to strengthen" (cf. Eph_3:16; Col_1:11; 1Ti_1:12; 2Ti_4:17). Believers need to be strengthened by Christ. They also need to be strong (cf. 1Co_16:13 Eph_6:10; 2Ti_2:1). This is the paradoxical tension found so often in Scripture. Christianity is a covenant; God initiates it and sets the conditions and privileges, but humans must respond and obey and continue! These believers were under internal and external pressure from false teachers and persecutors! As Paul was content in all circumstances, so must they be (and us, too).
Php_4:14 These believers shared with Paul in the spreading of the gospel (cf. Php_1:5) and the persecution that it brought. See Special Topic: Tribulation at Eph_3:13.