Philippians 4:12-13 12I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to abound. In anything and everything, I have learned the secret of how to have plenty and how to be hungry, how to abound and how to have need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Verse 12 is full of action words to highlight the situations (verse 11) in which Paul has found himself. These are given in paired opposites in a structured and poetic fashion. The action words are given as infinitives. Most English translations supply the word “how” to smooth out the grammar. All three pairs highlight the same idea of comparing having little to having much. This could include economic or social situations.
The first pair describe the economic situation in which Paul found himself during his ministry. To be humbled (tapeinousthai) is a passive infinitive describing how situations or people have brought Paul low. It was a word used for the low position of slaves. Paul knew poverty and shame. He also knew times of abundance and honor (perisseuein).
The next pair of infinitives, Plenty (chortazesthai) and hungry (peinan), highlights Paul’s physical situation. He often had to support himself by making tents. He traveled much and face much persecution, which would have made it difficult to support himself. He also had times of abundance (perisseuein) and need (hystereisthai). The low times can bring discouragement and doubt. The high times can bring pride and self-reliance.
There are two key verbs in this verse. The first is I know (oida), used twice. The second is I have learned the secret (memyēmai). This word was used in the mystery religions for initiation and has the root meaning of “secret.” Paul has learned the secret of contentment through the highs and lows of his experiences. He had come to an understanding of the one way to navigate what circumstances life may bring.
This secret is given in verse 13, which is one of the high points of the letter. In this verse, Paul offers the answer for his own struggles while in prison and what the Philippians need to help them with the troubles they were facing. Paul’s contentment was not based on his own strength, abilities, or intellect. He was not self-sufficient but Christ-sufficient. The verb I can do (ischuō) can mean “I have the strength to do” or “I am able to do.” Paul could face all of his problems with strength, but this strength was not from himself. It came in him. Him refers to Christ who gave Paul grace in his weakness (2 Corinthians 10:9). Strength to deal with any situation comes as we find ourselves in Christ.
This is one of the greatest principles of the Bible in one small statement. The power to cope with all circumstances comes in our relationship with Jesus. This is what Paul meant earlier in 1:21: “To live is Christ.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” The secret to victory in this life is being found in Christ.
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