Philippians 4:8-23: a reflection

8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen. 21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Paul, writing from prison, shares a secret he has learned through all his varied circumstances. I have learned, he says, in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry. His contentment was not tied to his circumstances, whether he had plenty or was in need; he had learned to be content in either. And the source of it he names: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His contentment was a learned secret, found not in his circumstances but in Christ, who strengthened him to be content in any state.

Notice that Paul's contentment was learned, and found in Christ, not in his circumstances. He does not say contentment came naturally, or that his circumstances were always good; he says he learned to be content, in plenty and in want alike, and that the strength for it came from Christ. His contentment was not dependent on having enough or on things going well; it was a learned secret, drawn from Christ who strengthened him. Whether abounding or in need, filled or hungry, he had learned to be content, because his contentment rested not on his circumstances but on Christ. It was not automatic; it was learned. And it was not from within himself; it was through Christ who strengthened him.

That is worth taking to heart, for contentment in every circumstance is a learned secret, found in Christ, not in our circumstances. We often tie our contentment to our circumstances, content when we have enough and things go well, discontent when we are in need or trouble; but Paul learned to be content in any state, in plenty and in want, through Christ who strengthened him. Contentment is not automatic, nor dependent on our circumstances; it is learned, and drawn from Christ. Do not tie your contentment to your circumstances, content only when you have enough; learn contentment in every state, through Christ who strengthens you, as Paul did. Learn the secret of contentment in every circumstance, drawing it from Christ who strengthens you rather than tying it to your circumstances, as Paul learned to be content whether abounding or in need through Christ who strengthened him; for contentment is a learned secret, not automatic, found not in our circumstances but in Christ, and we can be content in any state through the strength he gives.

Lord, Paul, writing from prison, shares a secret he has learned through all his varied circumstances. I have learned, he says, in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry. His contentment was not tied to his circumstances, whether he had plenty or was in need; he had learned to be content in either. And the source of it he names: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Show me that Paul's contentment was learned, and found in Christ, not in his circumstances. He does not say contentment came naturally, or that his circumstances were always good; he says he learned to be content, in plenty and in want alike, and that the strength for it came from Christ. His contentment was not dependent on having enough or on things going well; it was a learned secret, drawn from Christ who strengthened him. It was not automatic; it was learned. And it was not from within himself; it was through Christ. Take that to my heart, for contentment in every circumstance is a learned secret, found in Christ, not in my circumstances. I often tie my contentment to my circumstances, content when I have enough and things go well, discontent when I am in need or trouble; but Paul learned to be content in any state, through Christ who strengthened him. Contentment is not automatic, nor dependent on my circumstances. Keep me from tying my contentment to my circumstances, content only when I have enough; help me learn contentment in every state, Lord, through Christ who strengthens me, as Paul did whether abounding or in need.