Philippians 4:11
King James Version (KJV)
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Translations
Philippians 4:11 - Amplified Bible
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.
Philippians 4:11 - American Standard Version
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
Philippians 4:11 - Bible in Basic English
But I will not say anything about my needs, for I am able, wherever I am, to be dependent on myself.
Philippians 4:11 - Darby Bible
Not 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.
Philippians 4:11 - English Standard Version
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11 - King James Version
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11 - La Biblia de las Americas
No que hable porque tenga escasez, pues he aprendido a contentarme cualquiera que sea mi situaciòn.
Philippians 4:11 - The Message
Philippians 4:11 - New American Standard Bible
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Philippians 4:11 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
No que hable porque tenga escasez, pues he aprendido a contentarme cualquiera que sea mi situaciòn.
Philippians 4:11 - World English Bible
Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
Philippians 4:11 - Young's Living Translation
not that in respect of want I say [it], for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content;
Philippians 4:11 - Additional Comments
Note that Paul's contentment is something that he learned. He learned not only that he needs to be content, but he learned to be content. Here you may learn you need to be content, but will you become content? It's easy to understand, but never easy to do.
You probably won't have the "opportunity" to be content in the extremes, like Paul did - in hunger and when full, in need and in plenty. All you have to do is be content where you are. But where are you? "Need" and "Plenty" have been redefined, both by the times and by our individual circumstances. Do we "need" a telephone, TV, car, dishwasher, etc.? Is "plenty" what the other person has, but not what I have?
Contentment:
"As humans we are never happy." Is this true? The single wants a spouse, the newly married wants children, the worker wants the promotion or a better job, etc. What is it life has given you that makes life difficult? (Note it's not whether life is difficult, but how - the assumption is that it is difficult.) "If only I had the money, the looks, the skill, the knowledge, the family, the job, the house, etc." Then what?
We are told to be content with our food (1 Tim. 6:8), our wages (Luke 3:14), and our marital status (1 Cor 7:27).
Everything we have we have received (1 Cor 4:7). As the clay in the potter's hands, we are not to say "Why have you made me like this?" (Romans. 9:20). We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He continually desires the best for us (Rom 8:28, 2 Cor 4:15).
Happiness is not the goal - happiness is the process.
2 experiences:
"We spent a lot of time together because we didn't have any money to go places. This increased our love and devotion to each other. We prayed together over meatless meals, truly thankful that we never went hungry. I couldn't afford cable television, so we rediscovered board games and the art of conversation... Families don't have to lose everything to learn how to gain the proper perspective about material possessions. Learning to live with less is a difficult lesson for both parents and teens. Yet it is an essential one."
"The interesting thing about that week (thinking she may have MS) was that although I constantly mulled over the questions, internally I was filled with indescribable joy and peace. For probably the first time in my life I was truly thankful for my mobility, agility and independence. The sky seemed to be bluer than ever before. The trees, although brown and bare, were beautiful to me. I laughed more that week, enjoying the little things that so often went unnoticed. (After finding out she did not...) I promised myself I wouldn't let the preciousness of that gift fade. I promised myself I wouldn't forget how blue the sky was or how thankful I was for those things in my life I had always taken for granted."
We cannot live a truly abundant Christian life without keeping a proper perspective on our possessions (1 Tim. 6:6) - they are secondary to our relationship with Him and our character.
The opposite of contentment is covetousness. See Luke 12:15.
How to become content:
-- Rest in God; allow Him to be your comfort (Heb 13:5-6)
-- Look at the things you want, and realize if they are a need or not
-- Humble yourself to God, allowing His will to be over your will
-- Free up money to help others in need
-- Accept everything which enters our lives as coming from the Hand of Him who is too wise to err, and too loving to cause one of His children a needless tear.
-- Be often in the presence of the Lord Jesus (verse 13) -- He was never discontent. We are to be "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18).
-- Look at your life, and say "Ya know, my life is good, and I'm okay with where I'm at." Why? Because you are where God wants you to be at the current time.
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