Paul Thanks the Church @ Philippi for their Generosity
to him Part 2
Philippians
4:12-13 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and
in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
KJVBriefly in his thanking these brethren from Philippi, Paul expounds more on what he just previously said to them in verse 11, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12) (KJV). In verse 11, Paul declared that he had learned contentment in whatever was his circumstance in this life of faith in Christ Jesus, now he declares that he knows how to live in those circumstances whatever they might be at the time. The English word know Paul uses here at the beginning of verse 12 is translated by the Greek word eido a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, behold, consider, have knowledge, look on, perceive, see, be sure, or to understand. As we declared in the last study/commentary, Paul (as is every believer in Christ) was enrolled in the School of our Lord Jesus Christ which involved both Christ constant, continual, and commanding care for him, while at the same time required Paul to suffer for Christ sake and the cause of the proclamation of the true Gospel of Grace as he already declared to them at the very beginning of this letter with these words, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” (Philippians 1:29-30) (NKJV), and where do we find Paul writing this very letter, from a Roman prison.
Paul was made aware and now understood how to conduct himself in whatever he found the Providence of God had delivered to him. First he says he knows how to be abased and this English word is translated by the Greek word tapeinoo which means depressed, that is, (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition): to depress; figuratively to humiliate (in condition or heart): - abase, bring low, humble. In other words, Paul found himself often times depressed or brought to a low estate in his conditions and even in his inner man as we learned from his words spoken to the Corinthian believers in the last study/commentary (1 Corinthians 4:9-13). However, during all of these tough circumstances and conditions Paul found a strength to endure patiently and even with joy from the grace that flowed to him from our Lord Jesus Christ. Some may ask, why did our Lord Jesus allow these hard, horrific, and even hurtful things to get to His Beloved Apostle, well this answer is none of our business, but these harsh circumstances and conditions are not just for the Apostles (even Paul thought so at the time) (1 Corinthians 4:9), but it is true of every true believer and follower of Christ Jesus of every time and generation and of both men and women who love Him. Paul had learned how to conduct himself honorably and by grace to be steadfast in his work for our Lord Jesus despite having little to no food and no shelter as he declared with these words to the Corinthian believers, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) (NKJV).
Likewise, he learned how to conduct himself (without haughtiness or being wasteful with resources) when he abounded and this English word abound is translated by the Greek word perisseuo which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous. In other words, Paul found himself at times blessed with plenty, even more than enough food, clothing, shelter, money, etc. and he learned in the School of Christ how to be gracious, generous, and giving with others with what he had been blessed with as evidenced in his strong desire to go to Jerusalem and help the persecuted Church of Christ in the Capitol City. Paul goes on to use the English word instructed which is translated by the Greek word mueo (used only this one time in New Testament) it means to initiate, that is, (by implication) to teach: - instruct. This teaching and instruction came directly from our Lord Jesus Christ to the heart and soul of the Apostle Paul. We find these two separate times our Lord spoke to Paul directly, this first one was instruction to Paul to lead him into safety our Lord Jesus’ care and protection of Paul from the devil, his invisible devils, and his two-legged devils when He said to Paul, “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’” (Acts 22:17-21) (NKJV).
And this second occasion was also when Paul was under attack from the enemy, but here our Lord Jesus strengthens Paul with might in his inner man with these words spoken to him, “And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection --- and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, ‘We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.’ Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” (Acts 23:7-11) (NKJV). From these two examples (but of course there were many more than just these) we understand the rationale, the resolve, and the reasoning behind these following words from Paul when he says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) (KJV). This verse of Scripture has been a wealth of comfort, care, and cause over the many centuries since Paul penned these words for all believers. Paul wanted these Philippian believers (at the time of his letter) to understand that his knowing how to live fruitfully during times of plenty and times of need did not come from him pulling himself up by his bootstraps and trying harder or doing his best, but it came directly from the grace that was his (and all of ours) from the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ supply of grace is without limit to any one Christian at the same time true for every Christian of every generation.
“It requires as much grace to keep the heart right in prosperity, as it does in adversity, and perhaps more. Adversity, of itself, does something to keep the mind in a right state; prosperity does nothing.” Albert Barnes
“Paul found out that his learning was how to access from this endless fountain or well of living water that is Christ Jesus our Lord and in so doing he found the strength he needed to overcome, survive, and flourish during the worst of times and to be faithful, fruitful, freehanded, and freehearted with his resources during times of abundance, surely Paul had these words of the Prophet Isaiah in his mind when he wrote speaking of the people of Israel, “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:8-10) (NKJV).” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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