Philippians 4 · Verse 11

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11, King James Version

Philippians 4:11 in other translations

BSBI am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
WEBNot that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
ASVNot that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
YLTnot that in respect of want I say it, for I did learn in the things in which I am--to be content;
DARBYNot 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.
BBEBut I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself.
WebsterNot that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, with that to be content.

What does Philippians 4:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. I have learned--The I in Greek is emphatical. I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented. I, for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence (He 5:8), to be content in every state. content--The Greek, literally expresses "independent of others, and having sufficiency in one's self." But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God (2Co 3:5; 1Ti 6:6, 8; He 13:5; compare Jr 2:36; 45:5).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. Not that I speak in respect of want. Though Paul was, doubtless, often in circumstances of necessity, yet he did not make these remarks on that account. In his journeys, in his imprisonments, he could not but be at times in want; but he had learned to bear all this; and that which most impressed itself on his mind was the interest which the church ought to show in the cause of religion, and the evidence which it would thus furnish of attachment to the cause. As to his own personal trials, he had learned to bear them, so that they did not give him great uneasiness.

For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. That is, to have a contented mind. Paul says that he had "learned" this. Probably, by nature, he had a mind as prone to impatience as others, but he had been in circumstances fitted to produce a different state of feeling. He had had ample experience, (2Cor 11:26,) and, in his life of trials, he had acquired invaluable lessons on the subject. He had had abundant time for reflection, and he had found that there was grace enough in the gospel to enable him to bear trials with resignation. The considerations by which he had been taught this he does not state; but they were probably such as the following: that it is wrong to murmur at the allotments of Providence; that a spirit of impatience does no good, remedies no evil, and supplies no want; that God could provide for him in a way which he could not foresee, and that the Saviour was able abundantly to sustain him. A contented mind is an invaluable blessing, and is one of the fruits of religion in the soul. It arises from the belief that God is right in all his ways. Why should we be impatient, restless, discontented? What evil will be remedied by it? what want supplied? what calamity removed? "He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast," Provo 15:15; and one of the secrets of happiness is to have a mind satisfied with all the allotments of Providence. The members of the Episcopal church beautifully pray, every day, "Give us minds always contented with our present condition." No prayer can be offered which will enter more deeply into all our happiness on earth.

(i) "content" Heb 13:5

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Not that I speak in respect of want - I am quite unconcerned in this respect; leaving the whole of my support, while bound for the testimony of Jesus, to the providence of God. For I have learned - I am so satisfied with the wise providence and goodness of God, that I know whatever he determines is the best; and therefore I am perfectly contented that he should govern the world in that way which seems best to his godly wisdom. How true is the proverb, A contented mind is a continual feast! What do we get by murmuring and complaining?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 4:10-19

It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we…

Read the full comment on Philippians 4:10-19 →

Philippians 4:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐχouchNotG3756
ὅτιhotiforG3754
καθ᾽kath᾽as toG2596
ὑστέρησινhusterēsindestitutionG5304
λέγω·legōI speak;G3004
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔμαθονemathonhave learnedG3129
ἐνeninG1722
οἷςhoisthat whichG3739
εἰμιeimiI amG1510
αὐτάρκηςautarkēscontentG842
εἶναι.einaito be.G1511

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philippians 4:11

  • 1 Timothy 6:6-9

    But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • Hebrews 13:5-6

    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • Matthew 6:31-34

    Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

  • Philippians 3:8

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8

    And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

  • 2 Corinthians 6:10

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

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:11-12

    Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

  • Hebrews 10:34

    For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27

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

  • Luke 3:14

    And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

  • Genesis 28:20

    And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in respect.
1Co 4:11,12; 2Co 6:10; 8:9; 11:27
I have.
3:8; Ge 28:20; Ex 2:21; Mt 6:31-34; Lu 3:14; 1Ti 6:6-9; Heb 10:34
Heb 13:5,6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philippians 4:10

    But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

  • Philippians 4:11

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

  • Philippians 4:12

    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.

Read all of Philippians 4

Philippians 4:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No lo digo en razón de indigencia, pues he aprendido á contentarme con lo que tengo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		non que je parle ayant égard à des privations, car, moi, j’ai appris à être content en moi-même dans les circonstances où je me trouve.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Nicht daß ich dies des Mangels halber sage, denn ich habe gelernt, worin ich bin, mich zu begnügen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non quasi propter penuriam dico: ego enim didici, in quibus sum, sufficiens esse.