Philippians 4:11

Christian Standard Bible ®

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens.

Revised Standard Version
Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I speake not because of necessitie. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am therewith to be content.

Hebrew Names Version
Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

New American Standard Bible
Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

New Century Version
I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.

Update Bible Version
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content.

Webster's Bible Translation
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, [with that] to be content.

English Standard Version
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

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.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content.

Weymouth's New Testament
I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) I have learned, whatever be my outward experiences, to be content.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
for Y haue lerud to be sufficient in whiche thingis Y am.

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

Berean Standard Bible
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

Contemporary English Version
I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have.

Amplified Bible
Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.

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

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.

Complete Jewish Bible
Not that I am saying this to call attention to any need of mine; since, as far as I am concerned, I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances.

Darby Translation
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.

International Standard Version
I am not saying this because I am in any need, for I have learned to be content in whatever situation I am in.1 Timothy 6:6,8;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
But I have not spoken because I have had need; for I have learned to make sufficient to me that which I have had.

Murdock Translation
Yet I say this, not because I was in want; for I have learned to make that satisfy me, which I have.

King James Version (1611)
Not that I speake in respect of want: for I haue learned in whatsoeuer state I am, therewith to bee content.

New Living Translation
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

New Life Bible
I am not saying I need anything. I have learned to be happy with whatever I have.

New Revised Standard
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.

Geneva Bible (1587)
I speake not because of want: for I haue learned in whatsoeuer state I am, therewith to bee content.

George Lamsa Translation
Nor am I saying this simply because I am in want; for I have learned to make what I have meet my needs.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Not that, as to coming short, I am speaking, for, I, have learned, in whatsoever circumstances I am, to be, independent:

Douay-Rheims Bible
I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I speake not because of necessitie. For I haue learned, in whatsoeuer estate I am, therwith to be content.

Good News Translation
And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have.

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

Lexham English Bible
Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Literal Translation
Not that I speak as to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

Young's Literal Translation
not that in respect of want I say [it], for I did learn in the things in which I am -- to be content;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I speake not this because of necessite: for I haue lerned in what soeuer estate I am, therwith to be contete

Mace New Testament (1729)
it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want,

New English Translation
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance.

New King James Version
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Simplified Cowboy Version
But don't fret about that. I never really needed any real help. I've learned to live with a little or a lot. I'm content with my lot no matter what.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Legacy Standard Bible
Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Contextual Overview

¹⁰I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. ¹²I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. ¹⁴Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. ¹⁵And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. ¹⁷Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in respect: 1 Corinthians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 11:27

I have: Philippians 3:8, Genesis 28:20, Exodus 2:21, Matthew 6:31-34, Luke 3:14, 1 Timothy 6:6-9, Hebrews 10:34, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:11 - and because Esther 5:13 - Yet all this Proverbs 19:23 - shall abide John 21:5 - have Acts 28:10 - laded Romans 12:16 - condescend to men of low estate 1 Corinthians 7:21 - care 2 Corinthians 6:4 - necessities 2 Corinthians 11:9 - wanted Philippians 3:13 - I count Philippians 4:17 - because

Cross-References

Genesis 3:14
So the Lord God said to the serpent:

Genesis 4:14
Since you are banishing me today from the face of the earth, and I must hide from your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15
Then the Lord replied to him, “In that case, whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” And he placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him.

Genesis 4:16
Then Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Genesis 4:19
Lamech took two wives for himself, one named Adah and the other named Zillah.

Genesis 4:20
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of the nomadic herdsmen.

Genesis 4:21
His brother was named Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and the flute.

Genesis 4:26
A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

Job 16:18
Earth, do not cover my blood;may my cry for help find no resting place.

Isaiah 26:21
For look, the Lord is coming from his placeto punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.The earth will reveal the blood shed on itand will no longer conceal her slain.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Not that I speak in respect of want,.... Either of want of will in them; of their slowness and backwardness in their care of him, postponing him to others, caring for him last of all; this gave him no uneasiness, he did not take it ill, knowing and owning himself to be less than the least of all saints: or of his own want before this present came; and his sense is, that he did not express himself with so much joy, because of the penury and distress he was in before the things came to him which they sent; for he was not in want; though he had nothing, he possessed all things, and was as happy, and in as comfortable a frame, and in as much content then as now:

for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content; or "to be sufficient", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; or that that is sufficient for me which I have, as the Syriac version renders it; for the word here used signifies to be self-sufficient, or to have a sufficiency in one's self, which in the strict sense of the phrase is only true of God, who is "El-shaddai", God all-sufficient; but, in a lower sense, is true of such who are contented with their present state and condition, with such things as they have, be they more or less, and think that they have enough, as old Jacob did, Genesis 33:11; and such persons have a sort of an all-sufficiency in them; they are thankful for every thing they have, be it little or more, and in every state, whether of adversity or prosperity; and quietly and patiently submit to the will of God, and cheerfully take and bear whatever is assigned them as their portion; and such an one was the apostle: he was not only content with food and raiment, and such things as he had, but even when he had nothing at all; when he had neither bread to eat nor clothes to wear; when he was in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, as was sometimes his case; and therefore he does not say here, that he had learnt to be content with such things as he had, but εν οις ειμι, "in what I am": and this he had not by nature, but by grace; it was not natural, but adventitious to him; it was not what he had acquired by his industry, but what he had "learned"; and that not in the school of nature and reason, while an unregenerate man; nor at the feet of Gamaliel, while he was training up under him in the law of Moses, and in the traditions of the elders; but he learned it of God, and was taught it by the revelation of Christ, and under the teachings of the Spirit of God, and that in the school of affliction, by a train of experiences, of many sorrows, afflictions, and distresses; for this lesson is learned quite contrary to all the rules and reasons among men, not by prosperity, but by adversity: many are the things that may excite and encourage to the exercise of this heavenly grace, where it is wrought; as the consideration of the unalterable will of God, according to which every man's state and condition is settled, and therefore what God has made crooked can never be made straight; and of our case when we came into the world, and what that will be when we go out of it, naked and bare of this world's things; and of our unworthiness of the least mercy at the hand of God: add to which, the consideration of God being our portion and exceeding great reward; of having an interest in Christ and all things in him; and of the profits and pleasures of a life of contentment; and of the promises which God has made to such; and of the future glory and happiness which will shortly be enjoyed: so that a believer may say, who has the smallest pittance of earthly enjoyments, this, with a covenant God, with an interest in Christ, with grace here and heaven hereafter, is enough.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 be 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 2 Corinthians 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 complain 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” Proverbs 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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?