PART 1 – THE APOSTLE PAUL’S SECRET OF DIVINE CONTENTMENT – PHILIPPIANS 4:11

*Greek autarkia αὐτάρκεια self sufficiency

The Greek word for “content ” is AUTARKES a marvelous word. It goes way back to the Greek term which meant to be self-sufficient, to be satisfied, to have enough.

The term actually indicates a certain independence, a certain lack of necessity for aid or help. In fact, it was used in some places outside the Scripture to refer to a person who supported himself without anyone’s aid.

Paul is saying, “I have learned to be satisfied, I’ve learned to be sufficient in myself, and yet not in myself as myself, but in myself as indwelt by Christ.” He had come to spiritual contentment.

This particular self-sufficiency had been made a virtue in Greek culture by the Stoics. The Stoics believed that this concept of contentment was reached when you had come to the point of total indifference, when you were indifferent to everything, then and only then would you be content. Now that is the contentment of indifference. That is the Stoic contentment that abolishes feeling and abolishes emotion.

That’s not what Paul is talking about. When he talks about contentment, he may use the same word, autarkes, that the Stoics used but he means something very different. He does not mean indifference for he was deeply compassionate, he cared greatly. But he was still content. So he takes the idea of contentment much further than it was taken even in the Greek culture where the word found its meaning. Paul was content.

Phil 4: 10 -19 is a unit – and needs to be seen in the context

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Also:

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Tim 6: 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Tim. 6: 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

1 Tim 6 : 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5
“Be content with whatever you have, for he said I will never leave you or forsake you.”

It is not an art it is a command according to HEBREWS be content with your food clothing wages. Contentment is a virtue a command.

Paul was writing this as a prisoner chained to a Roman soldier.
In verse 11, he says it there, “I have learned to be content.” Through experiences in life, through the provision of God he had been put in to a process which was now completed and he had learned to be content. What a tremendous thing that is to learn. Here then is the testimony of a contented man. And there’s no better way to see that contentment than to see how he deals with his own distress and the gifts that some people give to him. It gives him the perfect environment to demonstrate his contentment.

He says , in the middle of the verse, “I have learned the secret…I have learned the secret…” This is a fascinating verb, it is a verb that is used to speak of being initiated into the mystery religions, of being initiated into the pagan cults which held certain secrets for only the initiated to know. Paul borrows that word and says, “I have been initiated into the secrets of contentment, I have learned the secret of living a contented life.” Truly the peace of God, in verse 7, was his portion. Truly the God of peace in verse 9 was his portion. Truly he was experiencing verse 6, he was anxious for nothing. He was content, he was satisfied, he was adequate, he had enough, he was sufficient. What a marvelous statement. “I’m content.” Why, Paul? “I’ve learned the secret.”