1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
An Ancient Word for Today
*Philippians 4 Part Three
An Ancient Word for Today
10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Contentment is not a matter of satisfied wants. We think we NEED way more stuff than we need. Wants are not needs. God knows what you and I need. The word “content” is αὐτάρκης, English rendering = autárkēs (meaning "sufficiency within"). It occurs only in Phil 4:11 where it refers to positive self-sufficiency (inward adequacy) – i.e., that comes through the indwelling power of Christ. You are content when Christ is your sufficiency. You are content when He is your All in All. In Him, you have self-contained contentment.
Paul is trying to say that he was content with whatever God chose to sovereignly provide for him; nothing more and nothing less. As stated above, contentment doesn’t come from what we have, but from realizing Who is in control of our lives. Paul is telling us that life has its ups and downs, but he has learned to live on both “sides of the track”. Paul understood contentment, whether he was in need or abundance. Paul had gone from the top to the bottom, and he was okay with it. He had lost EVERYTHING for the cause of Christ. We need to stay close to the Lord to not fall under the illusion and delusion that more “stuff” will make us happier people. Those are attractions and distractions.
It is in walking with Him and realizing that He is our sufficiency that we find contentment and peace. It puts an end to restlessness. It is all about perspective. When we can begin to view our circumstances and our condition through God’s eyes, we can have great comfort and joy. And although we might endure temporary suffering, we have an eternal weight of glory awaiting us. Life is hard. The Bible tells us repeatedly that it is hard. We were meant to live forever but not here on this broken earth. Our deepest inner joy cannot depend on whether we are rich or poor. It doesn’t depend on whether we are healthy or we are frail. Paul is shouting to us through the centuries telling us, HOLD ON TO JESUS AND ONTO HIM ALONE. HE IS OUR SUFFICIENCY. The secret of contentment is knowing that you can do ALL things through Christ Who is there to strengthen you.