Philippians 4:11 (DRB)

Passage

I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:9 The things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:10 Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly that now at length your thought for me hath flourished again, as you did also think; but you were busied.

Philippians 4:11 I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith.

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be brought low, 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.

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "speak", "want", "learned", "whatsoever", "state", "content", and "therewith". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "speak" and "want", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly..." into verse 12's "I know both how to be brought...", so "speak" and "want" 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 "speak" and "want" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.