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.

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.

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

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

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. ¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ¹⁴ Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. ¹⁵ Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. ¹⁷ Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. ¹⁸ But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by 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
And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Genesis 4:15
And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord , and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

Genesis 4:19
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

Genesis 4:20
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.

Genesis 4:21
And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Genesis 4:26
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord .

Job 16:18
O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

Isaiah 26:21
For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover 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?