Philippians 4:12
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Original Language Analysis
οἶδα
I know
G1492
οἶδα
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταπεινοῦσθαι
both how to be abased
G5013
ταπεινοῦσθαι
both how to be abased
Strong's:
G5013
Word #:
3 of 20
to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)
οἶδα
I know
G1492
οἶδα
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περισσεύειν
how to abound
G4052
περισσεύειν
how to abound
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
6 of 20
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεμύημαι
I am instructed
G3453
μεμύημαι
I am instructed
Strong's:
G3453
Word #:
12 of 20
to initiate, i.e., (by implication) to teach
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χορτάζεσθαι
to be full
G5526
χορτάζεσθαι
to be full
Strong's:
G5526
Word #:
14 of 20
to fodder, i.e., (generally) to gorge (supply food in abundance)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πεινᾶν
to be hungry
G3983
πεινᾶν
to be hungry
Strong's:
G3983
Word #:
16 of 20
to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περισσεύειν
how to abound
G4052
περισσεύειν
how to abound
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
18 of 20
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
Cross References
Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.2 Corinthians 11:27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.2 Corinthians 11:9And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.Deuteronomy 32:10He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.Isaiah 8:11For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,2 Corinthians 10:1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:Jeremiah 31:19Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.Nehemiah 9:20Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.2 Corinthians 11:7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?2 Corinthians 10:10For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Historical Context
Paul's ministry involved dramatic swings: beatings and banquets, prisons and palace hearings, shipwrecks and success. Second Corinthians 11:23-29 catalogs his sufferings; Philippians shows he also knew abundance (supportive churches, fruitful ministry). The 'initiation' (memyēmai) language borrows from mystery religions (Eleusinian, Dionysian) where initiates learned secrets. Paul's 'secret' is Christ's sufficiency (v. 13). His credibility rests on lived experience, not abstract theology.
Questions for Reflection
- In which extreme—abasement or abundance—do you struggle more with contentment, and why?
- How has God 'instructed' (memyēmai) you through varied circumstances?
- What 'secret' of contentment have you learned (or need to learn) through hardship or plenty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need (οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι, οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν· ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν, καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι, oida kai tapeinousthai, oida kai perisseuein; en panti kai en pasin memyēmai kai chortazesthai kai peinan, kai perisseuein kai hystereisthai)—Double oida ("I know") claims experiential knowledge of both extremes: tapeinousthai ("to be humbled, abased") and perisseuein ("to abound, have plenty"). Memyēmai ("I have been initiated, instructed")—mystery-religion term for secret knowledge. Paul uses it for practical wisdom learned through varied circumstances. Four pairs: full/hungry, abound/need—Paul experienced them all and learned contentment in each. This verse validates v. 11: contentment isn't untested theory but proven through extremes.