Philippians 4:12 (ASV)

Passage

I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:14 Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "abased", "abound", "everything", "learned", "secret", "both", and "filled". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "all things" and "abased", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "Not that I speak in respect of..." into verse 13's "I can do all things in him...", so "all things" and "abased" belong inside that flow. In Philippians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "all things" and "abased" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.