- *G5304 *2 ὑστέρησις (hoos-ter'-ay-sis) : a falling short, i.e. (specially), penury:--want.
- υστερησεως
- Mark 12:44 ... she of her want did cast in all that ...
- υστερησιν
- Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, ...
59. Context
Let us return to the context of Philippians 4. This is the last chapter.
In general, the first and last part of a letter are somewhat boilerplate and pleasantries. It is not good to make too much of a theological statement from such verses while skipping the middle parts of the letter which was the reason the letter was written.
60. Paul
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [kjv]
εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε [gnt]
That is, they have neglected, or been late in meeting, what he needed. The "
lacked opportunity" means "
did not have the time" and provides a nice out for the Philippians.
The "
care" and "
careful" are the Greek words that can be though of as being prudent, sensible or opportunistic.
61. Philippians 4:10
KJV: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Greek: εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε
62. Content
We now have the main verse of the current discussion.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
This might be stated as follows.
Possible translation:
Not that I speak in regards to being late in my needs being met (on your part) for I have learned in that respect to be self-sufficient.
63. Philippians 4:11
KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Greek: ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι
64. Summary
In Philippians 4:11, the
KJV says that Paul says that he has learned to be "
content" in whatsoever state he finds himself.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Might there be a reason why, at some point, the church preferred followers to be "
content" in a passive way, as in "
having enough", rather than be "
self-sufficient" in an active way?
65. Abstraction
To
abstract is to
take away from the essentials and thereby to ignore certain differences.
The
similarity is what is the same. The
difference is what is different.
Human brains are built for complex abstraction.
The Latin word
"abstractus" ≈ "take away from". In abstract art, something is taken away, something remains, one needs to then interpret what is meant or intended.
66. Abstractions
In simple terms, "
abstraction" is looking at
similarities and ignoring
differences. The Latin word
"abstractus" ≈ "take away from".
Sometimes there appear to be no similarities, only differences.
67. Henry Kissinger
Sometimes there
appear to be
no similarities between viewpoints.
Henry Kissinger (1923-2023) would try to get two parties to agree on something, often to
agree that they
disagreed. This is a self-referential paradox that was used to get the two sides talking.
Idea put into action: "
A peace without victory is a victory for peace".
- Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) [1816 Year without a summer]
- Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919)
68. World views
Many people would like to think that God's view and man's view are totally opposite (mutually exclusive) with no intersection. That is:
- Everything that is not God's view is man's view.
- Everything that is not man's view is God's view.
In reality, there are some similarities which makes it more difficult. The disagreement should be on what they are and to what extent they exist.
69. Thinking
Many people would like to think that theology as God's view and philosophy as man's view are totally opposite (mutually exclusive) with no intersection.
If this were the case, thinking and decisions might be easier or, at least, more clear cut and not so ambiguous.
70. Philosophy
Philosophy is man's wisdom but there can be some overlap with God's wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [kjv]
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [kjv]
71. 1 Corinthians 1:25
KJV: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Greek: οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν
72. Colossians 2:8
KJV: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Greek: βλεπετε μη τις υμας εσται ο συλαγωγων δια της φιλοσοφιας και κενης απατης κατα την παραδοσιν των ανθρωπων κατα τα στοιχεια του κοσμου και ου κατα χριστον
73. Similarity of self-sufficiency
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Paul appears to be saying that there is a "
virtue" in
"self-sufficiency". Some commentators will try to make this a verbal assault on the philosophy of the Stoics. Paul is just agreeing that in both God's view and in man's view,
"self-sufficiency" can be good.
However, self-sufficiency outside of Christ's view is
not good. Another name for the idea of
"self-sufficiency" is that of
"mammon".
74. Self-sufficiency
As a practical matter of the reality in which we live, one cannot be a "
bump on a log" and not do anything to be "
self-sufficient" in this world. Some examples:
- Parable of the 10 virgins, 5 prudent and 5 not-prudent
- Parable of the talents: no good news for the one not doing anything
So the saying that "
Christ is my self-sufficiency" as found in some commentaries is less than useful.
"
No man is an island".
75. No man is an island
The saying "
no man is an island" is from a poem by Englishman John Donne (1572-1631) in 1624.
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. Wikipedia
76. Ephesians
Throughout the letter to the Ephesians Paul talks about self-sufficiency and yet there is an interdependence and reliance and support of others as members of the body of Christ.
Paul summarizes this need to "
work together" in Ephesians 6 (the last chapter).
77. Difference of Christ
Two verses later Paul points out an important difference between God's view and man's view in terms of Christ.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [kjv]
To be able to do "
all things" is a lot. It appears that Paul is saying that he is made "
stronger" or "
better" in "
everything" through Jesus Christ.
78. All things
- "All things" with no bounds is unrealistic.
- "Everything" within a given domain is more realistic.
Example:
- All things are possible for you.
- Everything that you can attempt to do (that exists) is possible.
79. Philippians 4:13 All things
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [kjv]
παντα ισχυω εν τω ενδυναμουντι με [gnt]
omnia possum … confortat [v]
Can one really do "
all things"? There are many changes from the Greek.
- The word "Christ" is inferred from the pronoun "Him" as «τω».
- The Greek "in" is changed to "through".
- The Greek "am made strong", is changed to "can do".
- The Greek "all" with implied "these things" is changed to "all things".
- The Greek "potential to do" is changed to "strengtheneth".
Greek paraphrase:
In all these things (just mentioned), I am given potential (to accomplish) in Him.
This would include adversity of neglect whereby he needed to be self-sufficient (previous verse).
80. Philippians 4:13 All things
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [kjv]
παντα ισχυω εν τω ενδυναμουντι με [gnt]
omnia possum … confortat [v]
It appears that Paul is saying that he is made "
stronger" or "
better" in "
everything" through Jesus Christ. This would include the adversity of neglect (from Phillipi) whereby he needed to be self-sufficient to continue the work of Christ.
81. Paul
Like Henry Kissinger getting two sides to agree that they disagree, Paul points out similarities that are important and then differences that are important. Paul does this in Athens.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [kjv]
82. Acts 17:23
KJV: For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Greek: διερχομενος γαρ και αναθεωρων τα σεβασματα υμων ευρον και βωμον εν ω επεγεγραπτο αγνωστω θεω ον ο ουν αγνοουντες ευσεβειτε τουτον τουτο εγω καταγγελλω υμιν
83. Irony
84. Irony
In Greek philosophy, this was sometimes considered a vice and not a virtue since it could be used to deceive as in the English word
"hustle" as to "
take advantage of" through feigning "
inexperience", etc.
An interesting point here is that although many Greek philosophy words and terms are used in the Bible, the word for "
irony" as in "
feigned ignorance" as one way to "
deceive" is not in the Bible. Nor does that concept appear very often if at all.
... more to be added ...
85. End of page
Philippians 4:9 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. [kjv]
α και εμαθετε και παρελαβετε και ηκουσατε και ειδετε εν εμοι ταυτα πρασσετε και ο θεος της ειρηνης εσται μεθ υμων [gnt]
4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; where in ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [kjv]
εχαρην δε εν κυριω μεγαλως οτι ηδη ποτε ανεθαλετε το υπερ εμου φρονειν εφ ω και εφρονειτε ηκαιρεισθε δε [gnt]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [kjv]
ως γαρ ησαν εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις ταις προ του κατακλυσμου τρωγοντες και πινοντες γαμουντες και αχρι ης ημερας εισηλθεν νωε εις την κιβωτον [gnt]
… arcam … [v]
24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [kjv]
και ουκ εγνωσαν εως ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και ηρεν απαντας ουτως εσται η παρουσια του υιου του ανθρωπου [gnt]
… diluvium … adventus … [v]
Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. [kjv]
ησθιον επινον εγαμουν εγαμιζοντο αχρι ης ημερας εισηλθεν νωε εις την κιβωτον και ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και απωλεσεν [gnt]
… arcam … [v]
2 Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [kjv]
οτι ηρπαγη εις τον παραδεισον και ηκουσεν αρρητα ρηματα α ουκ εξον ανθρωπω λαλησαι [gnt]
quoniam raptus est in paradisum et audivit arcana verba quae non licet homini loqui [v]
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. [kjv]
μη ουν μεριμνησητε εις την αυριον η γαρ αυριον μεριμνησει αυτης αρκετον τη ημερα η κακια αυτης [gnt]
… sufficit … [v]
Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? [kjv]
αρκετον τω μαθητη ινα γενηται ως ο διδασκαλος αυτου και ο δουλος ως ο κυριος αυτου ει τον οικοδεσποτην βεεζεβουλ επεκαλεσαν ποσω μαλλον τους οικιακους αυτου [gnt]
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. … [kjv]
και ειρηκεν μοι αρκει σοι η χαρις μου η γαρ δυναμις εν ασθενεια τελειται ηδιστα ουν μαλλον καυχησομαι εν ταις ασθενειαις ινα επισκηνωση επ εμε η δυναμις του χριστου [gnt]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [kjv]
1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [kjv]
1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. [kjv]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. [kjv]
αυτοματη η γη καρποφορει πρωτον χορτον ειτεν σταχυν πληρη σιτον εν τω σταχυι [gnt]
Acts 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. [kjv]
διελθοντες δε πρωτην φυλακην και δευτεραν ηλθαν επι την πυλην την σιδηραν την φερουσαν εις την πολιν ητις αυτοματη αυτοις και εξελθοντες προηλθον ρυμην μιαν και ευθεως απεστη ο αγγελος απ αυτου [gnt]
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [kjv]
ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
προς Φιλιππησίους δ΄:11 ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι [gnt]
… sufficiens … [v]
for Y haue lerud to be sufficient in whiche thingis Y am. [wy]
In Stephen Covey's book 7 habits of highly effective people (1989) the idea of self-sufficiency is expressed as "shrinking one's domain of concern to one's domain of influence". That is, proactive people focus on what they can do and influence.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: [kjv]
δυνατει δε ο θεος πασαν χαριν περισσευσαι εις υμας ινα εν παντι παντοτε πασαν αυταρκειαν εχοντες περισσευητε εις παν εργον αγαθον [gnt]
… sufficientiam … [v]
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. [kjv]
εστιν δε πορισμος μεγας η ευσεβεια μετα αυταρκειας [gnt]
… sufficientia [v]
Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. [kjv]
He maintained him in the wilderness, in burning thirst and a dry land: he led him about and instructed him, and kept him as the apple of an eye. [bs3]
Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: [kjv]
Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient: [bs3]
