Philippians 4:12 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

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

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.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "all things", "both", "abased", "abound", "where", "instructed", 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 in respect of..." into verse 13's "I can do all things through Christ...", 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.