Philippians 4:11

“Not that I speak in respect of want, etc.] 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…”

“I have learned--The I in Greek is emphatical. I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented. I, for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the dealings of Providence (Heb 5:8), to be content in every state. content--The Greek, literally expresses "independent of others, and having sufficiency in one's self." But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God (Co2 3:5; Ti1 6:6, Ti1 6:8; Heb 13:5; compare Jer 2:36; Jer 45:5).”

“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…”

“I have learned - From God. He only can teach this. In everything, therewith to be content - Joyfully and thankfully patient. Nothing less is Christian content. We may observe a beautiful gradation in the expressions, I have learned; I know; I am instructed; I can. Philippians 4:12”

“4:11-12 As a slave of Christ, Paul has learned to be content with every situation, whether he had plenty or little. His life was filled with the joy that comes from doing the will of God whatever the cost.”

“in respect: Co1 4:11, Co1 4:12; Co2 6:10, Co2 8:9, Co2 11:27 I have: Phi 3:8; Gen 28:20; Exo 2:21; Mat 6:31-34; Luk 3:14; Ti1 6:6-9; Heb 10:34; Heb 13:5, Heb 13:6 Philippians 4:12”