I can be content in all circumstances
Philippians 4:10-23
Only God is strong enough to create contentment in all circumstances.
#contentment
Published December 21st, 2016
Main point summary
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Notes
notes
Main point summary
I can be content in all circumstances through God who strengthens me and so can you. to him be glory forever and ever.
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NT
Philippians 4:10-20
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I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
Ἐχάρην δὲ ἐν κυρίῳ μεγάλως
that now at length z you have revived your concern for me.
ὅτι ἤδη ποτὲ ἀνεθάλετε τὸ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ φρονεῖν,
You were indeed concerned for me,
ἐφʼ ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε,
but you had no opportunity.
ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ.
concessive
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Not that I am speaking of being in need,
οὐχ ὅτι καθʼ ὑστέρησιν λέγω,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be a content.
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι.
I know how to be brought low,
οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι,
and I know how to abound.
οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν•
bothand
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and b hunger, abundance and c need.
ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι, καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι•
I can do all things d through him who strengthens me.
πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με .
factinterpretation
Yet it was kind of you e to share 1 my trouble.
πλὴν καλῶς ἐποιήσατε συγκοινωνήσαντές μου τῇ θλίψει.
negativepositive
And you Philippians yourselves know
οἴδατε δὲ καὶ ὑμεῖς, Φιλιππήσιοι,
that f in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, g no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving,
ὅτι ἐν ἀρχῇ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, ὅτε ἐξῆλθον ἀπὸ Μακεδονίας, οὐδεμία μοι ἐκκλησία ἐκοινώνησεν εἰς λόγον δόσεως καὶ λήμψεως
except you only.
εἰ μὴ ὑμεῖς μόνοι,
conditional
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
ὅτι καὶ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ καὶ ἅπαξ καὶ δὶς εἰς τὴν χρείαν μοι ἐπέμψατε.
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h Not that I seek the gift,
οὐχ ὅτι ἐπιζητῶ τὸ δόμα,
but I seek i the fruit that increases to your credit. 1
ἀλλʼ ἐπιζητῶ τὸν καρπὸν τὸν πλεονάζοντα εἰς λόγον ὑμῶν.
I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied,
ἀπέχω δὲ πάντα καὶ περισσεύω• πεπλήρωμαι
j having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, k a fragrant offering, l a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
δεξάμενος παρὰ Ἐπαφροδίτου τὰ παρʼ ὑμῶν, ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας, θυσίαν δεκτήν, εὐάρεστον τῷ θεῷ.
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And my God m will supply every need of yours n according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
ὁ δὲ θεός μου πληρώσει πᾶσαν χρείαν ὑμῶν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος αὐτοῦ ἐν δόξῃ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
progression
To o our God and Father be p glory forever and ever. Amen.
τῷ δὲ θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ ἡμῶν ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν.
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Notes
Paul praises the Philippians for their faithful partnership with him in the gospel and he assures them of God's faithfulness to supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. If God strengthens Paul to be content in every circumstance then why does he need the gift from the Philippian church? Paul says that it's not the gift he seeks but the fruit that increases to their credit. Even here, at the end of the letter, Paul is modeling the self-sacrificing mind of Christ in 2:5-11. Paul ends this passage in the only way appropriate for such a message: He gives glory to God.
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