Philippians 4:12 (DBY)

Passage

I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am initiated both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer privation.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in [the] Lord greatly, that now however at length ye have revived your thinking of me, though surely ye did also think [of me], but lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak as regards privation, for as to me *I* have learnt in those circumstances in which I am, to be satisfied in myself.

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am initiated both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer privation.

Philippians 4:13 I have strength for all things in him that gives me power.

Philippians 4:14 But ye have done well in taking part in my affliction.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "both", "abased", "abound", "everything", "initiated", and "full". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "all things" and "both", 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 as regards privation..." into verse 13's "I have strength for all things in...", so "all things" and "both" 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 "both" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.