Philippians 4:11

Majority Text:
οὐχ ὅτι καθ' ὑστέρησιν λέγω ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔμαθον ἐν οἷς εἰμι αὐτάρκης εἶναι

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

Comments:
Not that I speak in respect of want: Paul distinguishes between the good done by the Philippians and the need experienced by him. That is, the rightness of what believers do is not defined by the state or quality of the recipient of their action, but presumably by the motivation of it. That distinction has huge ethical implications. For instance, believers have an obligation to provide forgiveness, although the recipient of the forgiveness by definition does not have a right to it. Similarly, Christian benevolence cannot be overcome by the occasional or even common malevolence of the needy.

content: Paul’s contentment corresponds with serenity, the highest goal of the then extremely popular Epicurean philosophers. For them, finding serenity was all about moderating desire so that want was never an issue. Here, for Paul, contentment comes not only because he eschews excessive desire, but also because he is satisfied by the one thing he always has as a Christian, Christ. The next two verses make it obvious that Christ is the source of contentment for Paul, which also explains why the joy of verse four is in the Lord.

Expanded Paraphrase:
I am not rejoicing simply because my needs have been met. No, as a disciple I have learned that satisfaction and contentment are mine regardless of my material circumstance.

Philippians 4:10

Majority Text:
ἐχάρην δὲ ἐν κυρίῳ μεγάλως ὅτι ἤδη ποτὲ ἀνεθάλετε τὸ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ φρονεῖν ἐφ' ᾧ καὶ ἐφρονεῖτε ἠκαιρεῖσθε δέ

KJV:
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.

Comments:
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly: Paul’s joy is in the Lord as a result of the Philippians’ actions, just as his thanks was to the Lord on account of the Philippians’ faithfulness in chapter 1:3-5.

wherein ye were also careful: The first line of the verse has Paul rejoicing because the Philippians have met his material needs in prison. But he wants them to know that he is aware they were thinking of him all along—they just did not have the occasion to meet his needs in this manner. The point is that what believers do materially is only an expression of what is (or was) already true in their hearts. The teaching matches both Matthew 12:34 and a precise reading of John 15:13 (in which the greatest love has a purpose which may result in a man laying down his life for his friends—not, as is often supposed, that the greatest love is equivalent to laying down that life).

Expanded Paraphrase:
As I see your benevolence toward me recently refreshed, my peace and confidence in the Lord is also recently refreshed. Of course, I know you were always caring and thinking about me. But then you had no occasion to demonstrate it as you have now, with this generous provision of things I needed.

Philippians 4:9

Majority Text:
ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί ταῦτα πράσσετε καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν

KJV:
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Comments:
both learned, and received, and heard, and seen: Using "kai" repeatedly between terms as it is in this verse gives the force of "not only, but also" included in the KJV as "both". The point is that as the list progresses, it is accumulating force. Learning and receiving from Paul are important, but as he intends it here, not nearly as important as hearing and seeing in him the things earlier learned and received. Paul is demonstrating the kind of leadership valued in Hebrews 13:7.

and the God of peace shall be with you: Of course, since the Philippians received this letter from an imprisoned man, it makes sense that Paul would remind them that if they follow his testimony, even into material loss, they will still have what gives him satisfaction, which is the point to which he turns in the following verses.

Expanded Paraphrase:
You learned from me how you ought to think and live. And you embraced what I taught you. But you have also heard the testimony of my life, and have seen the fact that I practice what I have taught you. You practice it too. And as you make that commitment, remember as well that the same God who has given me purpose and peace even in my incarceration will be with you as well.