Philippians 4:12 (GNV)

Passage

And I can be abased, and I can abounde: euery where in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungrie, and to abounde, and to haue want.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:10 Nowe I reioyce also in the Lord greatly, that nowe at the last your care for mee springeth afresh, wherein notwithstanding ye were careful, but yee lacked opportunitie.

Philippians 4:11 I speake not because of want: for I haue learned in whatsoeuer state I am, therewith to bee content.

Philippians 4:12 And I can be abased, and I can abounde: euery where in all things I am instructed, both to be full, and to be hungrie, and to abounde, and to haue want.

Philippians 4:13 I am able to do al things through the helpe of Christ, which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding yee haue well done, that yee did communicate to mine affliction.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "abased", "abounde", "euery", "where", "instructed", "both", and "full". 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 "I speake not because of want for..." into verse 13's "I am able to do al things...", 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.