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.
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