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Philippians 4:10-13

腓立比书 4:10-13

The Passage

But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your thought for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

In the other language

我靠主大大地喜乐，因为你们思念我的心如今又发生；你们向来就思念我，只是没得机会。我并不是因缺乏说这话；我无论在什么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富；或饱足，或饥饿；或有余，或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。

Theme

Content in all things

Bring a question to this passage

Many readers arrive here from a real question. These are reflections for how this passage speaks to the questions people bring most often — not an answer about what will happen, but an invitation to sit with it slowly.

How do I face this season of pressure at work?

Paul describes contentment as something he has learned, not something that comes easily. He knows both enough and not enough, and his words about Christ’s strength belong within that experience. This passage does not tell you how to manage your workload, but it offers a way to consider what sustains you beneath it. Contentment need not mean accepting every demand or pretending exhaustion is harmless. It can mean that your worth does not rise and fall with your output. You can acknowledge your limits without treating them as failure. When in your working day do you most need to acknowledge your limits and lean on Christ’s strength rather than measure your worth by your output?

Carry thisYour worth is not measured by your output.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 41:10 · 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

I want to learn to love better in this relationship.

Paul notices care even when there has been little opportunity to express it. He also speaks of contentment as something learned through both abundance and need, with strength found in Christ. This passage does not prescribe a way to repair a relationship, but it offers a distinction worth considering: love need not depend on having every need immediately met. Contentment is not silence about neglect or acceptance of harm. It can mean noticing genuine care while speaking honestly about what is missing. You do not have to deny your needs to appreciate another person's efforts. This passage does not explain how to repair a relationship. In what way might Christ’s strength help you appreciate genuine care while speaking honestly about your needs?

Carry thisGratitude and honest needs can belong in the same conversation.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 41:10 · 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

What do I need to let go of in the coming weeks?

Contentment, in Paul’s account, is something learned through both having enough and having too little. He welcomes the care offered to him; he does not pretend that support is unnecessary. Yet his words loosen the bond between outward conditions and inward sufficiency, with Christ named as his strength. For your question, this invites attention to the conditions you have attached to being at ease: more money, more recognition, fewer uncertainties. Releasing those conditions is not the same as giving up on necessary change or ignoring genuine need. This passage does not name what you should let go of. Where in your life might you notice a condition you have placed on contentment and bring it before Christ?

Carry thisContentment can coexist with real needs and needed change.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 41:10 · 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

How can I find stillness in a busy life?

Even when your day stays crowded, there may be room to stop fighting the circumstances you cannot change. This passage does not offer a plan for managing busyness, but it speaks of contentment learned in changing conditions. Paul knows both enough and not enough, and neither places him beyond Christ’s strengthening presence. You need not pretend that tiredness is peace or that every demand is reasonable. You might pause before the next task, name what is difficult, and ask Christ for strength to meet this moment without needing it to be different. Paul describes contentment as something learned; where might you begin learning it within the day you actually have?

Carry thisContentment is learned within life, not only after it quiets.

Other passages for this questionGenesis 1:26-28 · Isaiah 41:10 · 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

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Philippians 4 — in context

4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

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 any praise, think about these things.

9The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, 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 in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

12I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things 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.

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