Philippians 4:11 - Exposition

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content . He explains himself; it is not want that prompted his words. Literally, I learned (the verb is aorist); that is , when he became a Christian. The A.V. is verbally inaccurate in the following words, which mean literally, "In the circumstances in which I am." But the sense is the same. St. Paul is speaking of his present condition: he is content with it, though it involves all the hardships of captivity; his present contentment is a sample of his habitual frame of mind. αὐτάρκης here rendered " content ," is a common word in Greek philosophy. It means "self-sufficient," " independent. " It is of frequent occurrence in Stoical treatises; but St. Paul uses it in a Christian sense; he is αυτάρκης in relation to man, but his αὐτάρκεια comes from God ( 2 Corinthians 9:8 ).