Philippians 4:10-11 10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your thinking about me, though you were indeed thinking about me, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Paul rejoiced greatly because the Philippines had found a way to care for him in his need while in prison. Roman prisons were difficult places to be. Prisoners often relied on family or friends to provide even basic needs. The past tense of rejoiced suggests that Paul is reflecting on when they had sent Epaphroditus to him with financial support even though they had little money themselves (2:25-30). Joy has been a steady theme throughout this letter (1:18; 2:17-18; 3:1; 4:4). This is the last mention of joy. Paul’s rejoicing is in the Lord. The Lord Jesus is the source of this joy, even though the Philippians are the channels of it. All praise goes to Jesus for what they had done for Paul. Even though Paul rejoices in the Lord, this verse implies his gratefulness to the Philippians for their help.
In some way, perhaps through Epaphroditus, Timothy, or other way the Philippians had received news about Paul, their thinking about him was revived and renewed. The word revived (anethalete) means to grow again or bloom again like a flower. Something spiritual happened to them when they acted in love towards Paul. The context suggests that this thinking (phronein, occurring again in the second clause as ephroneite) was more active concern because they acted in a benevolent way in Paul’s behalf. Paul has used this word multiple times in this letter for the type of thinking the Philippians should develop (1:7; 2:2, 5; 3:15-16, 19; 4:2). Their concern about his welfare showed Paul that they were on the right path and growing in their faith.
Paul had needs in prison but had learned to be content with whatever he had, whether that was plenty or little. The opening phrase of verse 11 shows that Paul’s joy was not based on whether or not his needs were met. There is a difference between joy and emotional happiness. Joy comes as a deep sense of confidence in God that God is in control and the outcome will be our ultimate salvation. Joy is a by-product of hope and faith.
Life in prison was not easy for Paul. He suffered much during his ministry travels. But (for, Greek gar) in spite of all of this, he had learned to be content. Just as the Philippians had “learned” from Paul’s example (verse 9), Paul had learned from the one who gave him strength (verse 13). Learning contentment is a process. It does not happen immediately but often comes through trials and suffering.
Content (autarkēn) literally means being “self-sufficient.” Although Paul adopts this word from the culture, in the following verses, he shifts the focus of this from self to the Lord Jesus. The easiest thing for us to do in a difficult situation is to complain. Paul had found his source of strength in the Lord. God may use people to help meet our needs. But like Paul, our contentment cannot be found in an abundance of comforts. Contentment is not a natural response to difficult situations. Our first response tends to be complaining. If we put our trust for our well-being in a person, any person, we are putting it in the wrong place. Ultimately, our faith must be in God. To transfer that trust to anyone or anything else will bring disappointment.
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